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Empire's Corps #13
Culture Shock
Arthur’s Seat had never sought a galactic role. A relatively new colony world, a mere three hundred years old, the planet was always isolated from the galactic mainstream. But with the Empire crumbling after the fall of Earth, and other planets taking advantage of the chaos to make their own bids for power, Arthur’s Seat suddenly finds itself playing host to tens of thousands of unwanted immigrants, refugees who have been kicked off countless other worlds.
But as the planetary government struggles to integrate the newcomers, powerful factions plot to take advantage of the situation and the refugees struggle to carve out a place for themselves, it becomes clear that the entire planet is on the verge of anarchy ...
... And outright civil war may not be far away.
But as the planetary government struggles to integrate the newcomers, powerful factions plot to take advantage of the situation and the refugees struggle to carve out a place for themselves, it becomes clear that the entire planet is on the verge of anarchy ...
... And outright civil war may not be far away.
387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2016
192 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 23, 2017
The characters and story line of the Empire’s Corp series do not appear in book 13. Not sure if Nuttall is providing background material which will merge with his next book in the series.
Arthur’s Seat is a relatively new colony world. With the crumbling of the Empire, the Imperial Navy is bringing fifty thousand unwanted immigrants/refugees to Arthur’s Seat. The story is the conflict between refugees and the planet inhabitants. The characters are interesting and the storyline is plausible considering the collapsing of the Empire. The refugees are the Forsakers, a religious group sort of like the Amish. Nuttall then explores racism and religious intolerance.
The book is well written, but I wished Nuttall had clarified where he is going with the story as it doesn’t seem to fit into the Empire’s Corp series. The story is an interesting social science project.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is 12 hours long. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating the book. Kafer has narrated all the books in the Empire’s Corp series. Kafer is a multi-award winning audiobook narrator.
Arthur’s Seat is a relatively new colony world. With the crumbling of the Empire, the Imperial Navy is bringing fifty thousand unwanted immigrants/refugees to Arthur’s Seat. The story is the conflict between refugees and the planet inhabitants. The characters are interesting and the storyline is plausible considering the collapsing of the Empire. The refugees are the Forsakers, a religious group sort of like the Amish. Nuttall then explores racism and religious intolerance.
The book is well written, but I wished Nuttall had clarified where he is going with the story as it doesn’t seem to fit into the Empire’s Corp series. The story is an interesting social science project.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is 12 hours long. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating the book. Kafer has narrated all the books in the Empire’s Corp series. Kafer is a multi-award winning audiobook narrator.
October 26, 2016
Is it the Post-Empire Galaxy, or here and now?
First, I've been reading Chris Nuttall's stuff, LONG before he was published. I've even appeared in a cameo or three in his books. That being said, Chris does not write fiction. He writes allegories about life In the early 21st century, that looks a whole lot like fiction. This is most prominent, here in The Empire's Corps series. He's talking about US.
And this is his most dangerous book yet. Because it points out a very inconvenient truth: culture MATTERS, far more than mere racial differences. And it's very well told, given his creation of the Forsakers, a religious group that started like the Mennonites or the Shakers......only more hardcore, and just a dash of jihad added for flavor.
Chris is also building towards SOMETHING, where the various plotlines converge. We're in for a hell of a ride, on the way to his final plot twist in the series, however many more books in the future that might be. I'll be reading them all.....
First, I've been reading Chris Nuttall's stuff, LONG before he was published. I've even appeared in a cameo or three in his books. That being said, Chris does not write fiction. He writes allegories about life In the early 21st century, that looks a whole lot like fiction. This is most prominent, here in The Empire's Corps series. He's talking about US.
And this is his most dangerous book yet. Because it points out a very inconvenient truth: culture MATTERS, far more than mere racial differences. And it's very well told, given his creation of the Forsakers, a religious group that started like the Mennonites or the Shakers......only more hardcore, and just a dash of jihad added for flavor.
Chris is also building towards SOMETHING, where the various plotlines converge. We're in for a hell of a ride, on the way to his final plot twist in the series, however many more books in the future that might be. I'll be reading them all.....
February 5, 2017
"Culture Shock," the 13th novel in Christopher Nuttall's Empire's Corps series, delves deeply into immigration and problems that ensue when a country, or world in this case, is inundated by a surprise population of outsiders. Nuttall's no stranger to tackling politically sensitive issues. He has dealt with racism and intolerance, the collapse of society, the difficulties to society when public safety is ignored and the economics of political favoritism. Nuttall's a prolific writer and very good at presenting scenarios in his future universe. He's a thinker and an astute political analyst. Culture Shock involves a group he calls the Forsakers. They reject modern technology and resist social change. They're insular and reject anything but traditional roles for men and women. Their concept of tradition dates back to feudal times. Women cook and clean. Men work and make all the decisions. In a nod to Islam, women Forsakers must be covered and should not talk to anyone without a man of their group present. Otherwise they appear to be like the old worlders in Alaska or more traditional Mennonites. However, they can't assimilate on any of the planets. The Empire had kept them safe. But the Empire has fallen and Forsakers lost their protection. Some 50,000 are forcibly removed from one planet and brought to another. This is the story Nuttall chronicles. He unfolds the story through various characters, some on the new planet and others amongst the Forsakers. He tells the story through multiple perspectives effectively. The situation on the new planet goes badly almost immediately. The Forsakers don't really know how to work. They've been cordoned off for generations, kept on compounds and subsidized. They have no experience dealing with self sufficiency. As a result, an element among them wants to rebel, to take by force what they dream of having. They want farms and a life in which they determine and control their futures. But the reality is far from it. To survive they must assimilate to some degree. The new planet needs workers, but this group can't fulfill those needs without compromise. Nuttall spends quite a bit of time dealing with the bureaucratic challenges before he gets to the resolution. But the politics is fascinating and the issues are very current. It's a cautionary tale. My father is a refugee. I grew up part of a small Hungarian community in Seattle, but we prioritized fitting in. English was my second language, but it fast became my primary one.
December 4, 2016
An argument for autocratic policies
The characters are uninspired and the the thread of the plot is bare for all to see. So much so that after the two settings are introduced, you can easily guess where the story will go and how it will end. As to the title of this review it is directed at the general tone and tenor of the authors espoused ideals in this book. Where trying to meet and work towards a common and better future is heavily panned. And in the end only the strong central leader can correct the ship of state. So as to protect an idea of what is that has never been. And if I may digress for a moment, has a clear issue with a modern women's role in society. So much so that I do fear for any that has the misfortune of stumbling across his path. In all a terrible book and I will be requesting a refund. For do not wish to support this twisted little man in the slightest.
The characters are uninspired and the the thread of the plot is bare for all to see. So much so that after the two settings are introduced, you can easily guess where the story will go and how it will end. As to the title of this review it is directed at the general tone and tenor of the authors espoused ideals in this book. Where trying to meet and work towards a common and better future is heavily panned. And in the end only the strong central leader can correct the ship of state. So as to protect an idea of what is that has never been. And if I may digress for a moment, has a clear issue with a modern women's role in society. So much so that I do fear for any that has the misfortune of stumbling across his path. In all a terrible book and I will be requesting a refund. For do not wish to support this twisted little man in the slightest.
November 29, 2016
Science Fiction that asks the question
Star Trek was a SF TV series that asked questions about our society. So did Buffy. This book does the same. Set on a world upset by refugees dumped on the planet the book examines the problems of two completely different cultures forced together. My first thought was the problems with Islam immigrants in Europe. My second was why wasn't this a problem with the Amish? Read. A good story plus.
Star Trek was a SF TV series that asked questions about our society. So did Buffy. This book does the same. Set on a world upset by refugees dumped on the planet the book examines the problems of two completely different cultures forced together. My first thought was the problems with Islam immigrants in Europe. My second was why wasn't this a problem with the Amish? Read. A good story plus.
August 16, 2018
At first this book bothered me slightly as I read it. The topic hit to closely to situations happening in our country right now. As I continued though it became clear that the story was not about refusing admittance of different people to a country (world) but to not blindly except that people would or even wanted to assimilate into one's own society. Unfettered immigration will lead (not might) to large groups of people that will not, through cultural pressure or personal loss of power/authority, will not attempt to assimilate into the existing culture. I am not suggesting that all their own culture could or should be dicarded, but if they enter a different place they are tacitly agreeing to abide by the rules and laws of that region, not attempting to change the rules to those that caused them to leave their own countries. Thank you Christopher for having the moral courage to write a fictional story that that many will ridicule and condemn you for, but needs to be recognized as a possible (though extremely undesirable) foretelling of the future of our own world.
November 19, 2020
When was this written?? What a balanced gut check!
This was the question in my mind that became so strong I searched for the answer. Published October 23, 2016. So, this was written in the months or years before this. The story seems prescient or at least insightful of human dynamics and real politics (the me as someone who lobbied for 2 years on a social issue).
The story is a a gut check, because it presents a plausible (i.e. even rather distant history re: cultural integration clearly supports the storyline) and decidedly balanced depiction of the swirls of thought, intent, errors, political dynamics and consequences of handling mass migration.
There are no heroes held out as having the ANWERS in the story, despite the post-story essay showing the authors perspective clearly.
Excellent job Mr Nuttall on producing an ethical, responsible presentation that speaks to the forces currently at play in the Western world.
This was the question in my mind that became so strong I searched for the answer. Published October 23, 2016. So, this was written in the months or years before this. The story seems prescient or at least insightful of human dynamics and real politics (the me as someone who lobbied for 2 years on a social issue).
The story is a a gut check, because it presents a plausible (i.e. even rather distant history re: cultural integration clearly supports the storyline) and decidedly balanced depiction of the swirls of thought, intent, errors, political dynamics and consequences of handling mass migration.
There are no heroes held out as having the ANWERS in the story, despite the post-story essay showing the authors perspective clearly.
Excellent job Mr Nuttall on producing an ethical, responsible presentation that speaks to the forces currently at play in the Western world.
January 12, 2019
Sci Fi Refugee Saga
The author, Chris Nuttal, has a great afterword that asks the question, since he lived in Malaysia for a while, did he become Malaysian? His wife is from Malaysia, and in her pictures on fb, wears a scarf. This makes the book on written from a cultural sensitive prospective, while keeping the authors usual fast paced storytelling style.
Culture Shock is a bit political, but done in nice, non racist way. The one group seems closer to the Amish in culture, and the planet they are expelled to actually partially descended from members of their sect. Unfortunately the planet required higher technology to survive, so the original immigrants changed their outlook in culture.
The author, Chris Nuttal, has a great afterword that asks the question, since he lived in Malaysia for a while, did he become Malaysian? His wife is from Malaysia, and in her pictures on fb, wears a scarf. This makes the book on written from a cultural sensitive prospective, while keeping the authors usual fast paced storytelling style.
Culture Shock is a bit political, but done in nice, non racist way. The one group seems closer to the Amish in culture, and the planet they are expelled to actually partially descended from members of their sect. Unfortunately the planet required higher technology to survive, so the original immigrants changed their outlook in culture.
March 2, 2019
Damn good reading.
Christopher Nuttall strikes me as having a strong grasp of human nature. Much unlike the politicians in reality and this book. Understanding those completely different from you is extremely important, in my opinion. My reactions to some of the characters choices (particularly Sondra) was the same disbelief and anger I feel when I see some of the news today.
Well written, well executed. Yet another reason to love this series.
Christopher Nuttall strikes me as having a strong grasp of human nature. Much unlike the politicians in reality and this book. Understanding those completely different from you is extremely important, in my opinion. My reactions to some of the characters choices (particularly Sondra) was the same disbelief and anger I feel when I see some of the news today.
Well written, well executed. Yet another reason to love this series.
October 2, 2024
An unflinching view of the hard decisions occasioned by a refugee crisis in a collapsing empire. This is very dark and has none of the characters or organizations in common with other books in the series.
The characters are done well, with even the most evil of villains having reasons for their actions. The story is reminiscent of Pournelle's "Falkenberg's Legion" stories and also reminds me a bit of parts of the Foundation stories.
Recommended.
The characters are done well, with even the most evil of villains having reasons for their actions. The story is reminiscent of Pournelle's "Falkenberg's Legion" stories and also reminds me a bit of parts of the Foundation stories.
Recommended.
February 17, 2018
This is one of his political ones, he does these every so often and the politics he tries ot put forward never really make much sense.
If you skip the bad attempt at political philosophy though, it's a fun action story in a new world in the same universe of his books, but without any shared characters that I noticed
If you skip the bad attempt at political philosophy though, it's a fun action story in a new world in the same universe of his books, but without any shared characters that I noticed
February 11, 2018
Not the best in the series
My least favorite book of the series. It is missing even a loose connection to the other characters and places in the series and doesn't have much in the way of action to break up the repetitive "immigration and cultural problems" that are part of every page.
Still, well written and a decent book.
My least favorite book of the series. It is missing even a loose connection to the other characters and places in the series and doesn't have much in the way of action to break up the repetitive "immigration and cultural problems" that are part of every page.
Still, well written and a decent book.
April 5, 2018
A harbinger?
Wow! Depressing , a great book, well written , holds your interest , but depressing! I think it shows what is happening in the world today , how fast it could go bad. A very good side book to the series. It shows the struggles that happen when things start to call apart.
Wow! Depressing , a great book, well written , holds your interest , but depressing! I think it shows what is happening in the world today , how fast it could go bad. A very good side book to the series. It shows the struggles that happen when things start to call apart.
June 29, 2021
The book was spot on five years ahead of our current situation with political correctness and worrying about everyone's feelings
The stories are great but it's his fore words for each chapter that send chills up my spine seeing things he said and now we are seeing play out everyday. The man is a thinker. Keep writing I'll keep reading
The stories are great but it's his fore words for each chapter that send chills up my spine seeing things he said and now we are seeing play out everyday. The man is a thinker. Keep writing I'll keep reading
July 9, 2023
The earlier books in the series are quite good and I still recommend them, but with this novel the author stopped caring and stopped trying, just counted inane words to collect a paycheck. Stick-figure caricatures of wireframe "characters" with no depth, no heart, no mind, no soul, only knee-jerk reactionaries, some with the left knee, others with the right but without thought or genuine feelings or redeeming qualities.
October 18, 2017
A worthy parallel of today’s issues
Not the empire corps of old this one deals with politics involving immigrants forced on a world ill equipped to handle it. Not what I was expecting but a worthy read none the less.
Not the empire corps of old this one deals with politics involving immigrants forced on a world ill equipped to handle it. Not what I was expecting but a worthy read none the less.
April 7, 2021
This one was pretty damn bad, even for Nuttall. I get that the dude really wants to push a certain agenda but he isn't even trying to create interesting or 2 dimensional antagonists anymore. I kinda wish I had listened to the other low reviews and skipped this one.
May 3, 2022
Overall a good contribution to the book series
I now have read the first14 books of the series. This one was a little bit less satisfactory than the others. It does provide more background on various conditions that impact the series storyline.
I now have read the first14 books of the series. This one was a little bit less satisfactory than the others. It does provide more background on various conditions that impact the series storyline.
October 14, 2023
Riveting
A interesting story of cultural/religious extremism where they cannot see their way forward because of their own beliefs. I think that I would like to read more about what happens with the integration of the immigrants. Also, what happens with Judith, John and Hannah.
A interesting story of cultural/religious extremism where they cannot see their way forward because of their own beliefs. I think that I would like to read more about what happens with the integration of the immigrants. Also, what happens with Judith, John and Hannah.
January 27, 2018
I liked this series of books but this last book pushed the limit of xenophobia a bit too much.
January 1, 2023
Great book loved the story and the book narration it’s a great book series I highly recommend listening or reading this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 28, 2017
Nuttall screed.
Every few books Nuttall decides to write a political position paper and disguise it as fiction.
One problem with this is that the characters become thin, with little depth to them. Further, readers quickly and usually accurately can predict the plot and, with a bit of thought, can even guess the significant tension points.
Every few books Nuttall decides to write a political position paper and disguise it as fiction.
One problem with this is that the characters become thin, with little depth to them. Further, readers quickly and usually accurately can predict the plot and, with a bit of thought, can even guess the significant tension points.
April 5, 2017
The author has decided that every second book in The Empire’s Corps series is a “side story” usually about some specific subject, most often a political one. Sometimes it is still a very entertaining book, sometimes not so much. Especially if you really do not like politics in your reading. I am afraid that this one was more of the latter for me.
Now before we start let me make it clear that, technically, the book is as good as I would expect from this author. It is well written and I do like the characters. Well, the ones I am expected to like at least. There are plenty of assholes in this book.
The book is on the subject of immigration. In particular immigration from vastly different cultures. A subject that deserves discussion for sure. Especially a honest and factual discussion. However, regardless of whether I agree with the authors opinions on the subject or not, I rarely find books with too much political undertone in them very enjoyable.
Not only is the politics both boring and frustrating but the story does become somewhat predictable. Especially if the author tries to mirror reality which I believe this author does. 50 000 immigrants are dumped on a relatively small human colony more or less by force. Said immigrants are fanatical to the extreme, bigoted and treats their women like dirt (I guess you can see where this is going…). The sitting leaders of the colony are too inexperienced and too weak to handle the situation. Anyone with a minimum of intelligence can predict what happens next.
There are a number of characters that were quite enjoyable to follow even though it was quite frustrating to see them getting screwed over by the weak and appeasing politicians. These parts of the book almost felt like some kind of combined drama/reality show.
In the end the die hard fanatics turns out to be just as stupid and disconnected from reality as expected, the more realistic elements of the political establishment took over and the more deplorable elements of the fanatics got dealt with. Not until shit had hit the fan of course and equally of course, it was the innocent population that had to suffer as well as clean up the mess.
I have to say that I do not like to write a rather negative review for this author since his works normally pleases me greatly. However I would, again, like to point out that there is nothing wrong with the actual quality of the writing. My gripe with the book is strictly subjective and personal as far as the story goes.
Now before we start let me make it clear that, technically, the book is as good as I would expect from this author. It is well written and I do like the characters. Well, the ones I am expected to like at least. There are plenty of assholes in this book.
The book is on the subject of immigration. In particular immigration from vastly different cultures. A subject that deserves discussion for sure. Especially a honest and factual discussion. However, regardless of whether I agree with the authors opinions on the subject or not, I rarely find books with too much political undertone in them very enjoyable.
Not only is the politics both boring and frustrating but the story does become somewhat predictable. Especially if the author tries to mirror reality which I believe this author does. 50 000 immigrants are dumped on a relatively small human colony more or less by force. Said immigrants are fanatical to the extreme, bigoted and treats their women like dirt (I guess you can see where this is going…). The sitting leaders of the colony are too inexperienced and too weak to handle the situation. Anyone with a minimum of intelligence can predict what happens next.
There are a number of characters that were quite enjoyable to follow even though it was quite frustrating to see them getting screwed over by the weak and appeasing politicians. These parts of the book almost felt like some kind of combined drama/reality show.
In the end the die hard fanatics turns out to be just as stupid and disconnected from reality as expected, the more realistic elements of the political establishment took over and the more deplorable elements of the fanatics got dealt with. Not until shit had hit the fan of course and equally of course, it was the innocent population that had to suffer as well as clean up the mess.
I have to say that I do not like to write a rather negative review for this author since his works normally pleases me greatly. However I would, again, like to point out that there is nothing wrong with the actual quality of the writing. My gripe with the book is strictly subjective and personal as far as the story goes.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews