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A Learning Experience #2
Hard Lessons
Fifty years after Steve Stuart and his friends captured an alien starship, the Solar Union is a thriving interstellar power, while Earth is increasingly backwards and falling into barbarism. For two youngsters from Earth, the Solar Union offers the only chance they will ever have to make something of their lives ...
But humanity’s involvement in Galactic affairs has not gone unnoticed. The enigmatic masters of the universe have put together a fleet to crush the upstart humans before they can threaten the precarious balance of power. Pushed to the limits, the Solar Union must fight to defend its freedom – and the existence of the human race.
But humanity’s involvement in Galactic affairs has not gone unnoticed. The enigmatic masters of the universe have put together a fleet to crush the upstart humans before they can threaten the precarious balance of power. Pushed to the limits, the Solar Union must fight to defend its freedom – and the existence of the human race.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 12, 2014
183 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 17, 2016
I'm sorry to say the right wing propaganda didn't get any better, and the story got worse. I had hoped this installment would have less raging bigotry and intolerance since it was set off earth, but Nuttall ceaselessly managed to draw comparisons of situations to completely irrelevant pet peeves of how society was 50 years earlier (i.e. today for us)
February 7, 2016
Verry good!
August 21, 2016
This is book two in “The Learning Experience Series”. This book opens fifty years after the end of book one. In book one Steve Stuart and friend captured an alien starship. They decided to keep it and create their own nation rather than turn it over to the government. They built on the moon and asteroids. The Stuart brothers are active in key roles in the Solar Union but Steve is no longer involved in the running of the Solar Union.
The book follows two new recruits to the Solar Union military from earth. Yolanda is a smart mixed-race girl that applies to the space navy and becomes a navigator/helmsman and Martin, a young black man from the ghetto, joins the Marines. We follow them from boot camp to seasoned officers. The Solar Union comes to the attention of the Tokomak Empire who decided that Earth needed to be destroyed not realizing the Solar Union is not located on earth. The Tokomak are the oldest and largest Empire but have failed to keep up with the advances and changes in the universe; they have relied on their enormous size to keep everyone under control.
The book is well written and fast paced. Nuttall provides some exciting battles on land and in space. The action and suspense will keep the reader on the edge of their seats. Christian Rummel does an excellent job narration the story. Rummel is an award winning audiobook narrator.
The book follows two new recruits to the Solar Union military from earth. Yolanda is a smart mixed-race girl that applies to the space navy and becomes a navigator/helmsman and Martin, a young black man from the ghetto, joins the Marines. We follow them from boot camp to seasoned officers. The Solar Union comes to the attention of the Tokomak Empire who decided that Earth needed to be destroyed not realizing the Solar Union is not located on earth. The Tokomak are the oldest and largest Empire but have failed to keep up with the advances and changes in the universe; they have relied on their enormous size to keep everyone under control.
The book is well written and fast paced. Nuttall provides some exciting battles on land and in space. The action and suspense will keep the reader on the edge of their seats. Christian Rummel does an excellent job narration the story. Rummel is an award winning audiobook narrator.
October 20, 2014
Although I had some reservations I did enjoy the first book in the series so it was a no-brainer for me to pick up this one, the second instalment, up when it became available. This book continues the story that begun with the first book although it immediately zaps us 50 years into the future. The Solar Union is now a spacefaring nation while the nations of Earth are sinking deeper and deeper in the swamp of nonsensical political “correctness” and incompetent leadership. The initial surprise effect of discovering that we are not alone and all that advanced technology is (mostly) gone from this book and replaced by a more traditional adventure story of humanity, the part of humanity that are capable of elevating themselves above the expectation that the government should nurse them from the cradle to the grave that is, taking their first steps wandering out in the universe. Well, maybe first, second and third steps actually because, as the baddies are discovering, the humans catch on quickly.
This is one thing I like with this book. Although there are some of Mr. Nuttall’s apocalyptic views of the future results of our current breed of politicians (results which I unfortunately am not too sure that they are entirely fictional) it is much more positive than, for example, The Empire’s Corps. Not only does the Solar Union manage to avert the immediate threat from the “baddies” but they do so kicking some serious butt. That does not mean that it is a walk in the park though and by the end of the book there are still a lot of storm clouds at the horizon.
The book focuses primarily on three characters, Kevin, one of the original characters from the first book and two new recruits that decides to leave Earth for the Solar Union and enlist into the military at the beginning of the book. Thus the book is a nice mix of preparations for the coming conflict and the learning experiences of these new characters. The fact that they come from Earth, now a technological backwater world, means that we still do get a bit of the wow experience when these people gets confronted with Solar Union reality and daily life. Although I have to say that, no Mr. Nuttall, seeing a movie with all 15 Doctor Who characters in it is not something I would look forward to :-). Of course there are a fair amount of action as well. Given that one of the newcomers end up as a fleet officer and the other as a marine you can probably guess as to the type of action.
As usual the book is well written, the characters likable and with the right amount of balance between details, character development and forward movement of the story. With the first book I sometimes thought that things where done a bit too quickly, naively and simplistically. This is not an issue with this book since it is more about defending what is already there than to build a new nation from the start. Both books in the series have been good reading but I found this one the better of them.
From the ending it certainly appears that the author intends for there to be a another Learning Experience book. I for sure would want him to write one.
This is one thing I like with this book. Although there are some of Mr. Nuttall’s apocalyptic views of the future results of our current breed of politicians (results which I unfortunately am not too sure that they are entirely fictional) it is much more positive than, for example, The Empire’s Corps. Not only does the Solar Union manage to avert the immediate threat from the “baddies” but they do so kicking some serious butt. That does not mean that it is a walk in the park though and by the end of the book there are still a lot of storm clouds at the horizon.
The book focuses primarily on three characters, Kevin, one of the original characters from the first book and two new recruits that decides to leave Earth for the Solar Union and enlist into the military at the beginning of the book. Thus the book is a nice mix of preparations for the coming conflict and the learning experiences of these new characters. The fact that they come from Earth, now a technological backwater world, means that we still do get a bit of the wow experience when these people gets confronted with Solar Union reality and daily life. Although I have to say that, no Mr. Nuttall, seeing a movie with all 15 Doctor Who characters in it is not something I would look forward to :-). Of course there are a fair amount of action as well. Given that one of the newcomers end up as a fleet officer and the other as a marine you can probably guess as to the type of action.
As usual the book is well written, the characters likable and with the right amount of balance between details, character development and forward movement of the story. With the first book I sometimes thought that things where done a bit too quickly, naively and simplistically. This is not an issue with this book since it is more about defending what is already there than to build a new nation from the start. Both books in the series have been good reading but I found this one the better of them.
From the ending it certainly appears that the author intends for there to be a another Learning Experience book. I for sure would want him to write one.
October 12, 2015
By reading this I doubled down on idiocy
Its bad enough there are ten and twenty page passages devoted to describing the ghetto like all black people live there but the end of the book attempts a lame defense of George Zimmerman!
A grown man stalked a 17 year old boy at night and you defend him? Really dude.
I know you don't see yourself as racist unfortunately you have all the preconceived notions about race and racism. You live in Europe! Get a clue and please stay away from the social commentary. Idiot.
Its bad enough there are ten and twenty page passages devoted to describing the ghetto like all black people live there but the end of the book attempts a lame defense of George Zimmerman!
A grown man stalked a 17 year old boy at night and you defend him? Really dude.
I know you don't see yourself as racist unfortunately you have all the preconceived notions about race and racism. You live in Europe! Get a clue and please stay away from the social commentary. Idiot.
December 3, 2016
Hugely disappointed..Christopher has done a John Ringo.(Recommend,Troy Rising,and the Black Tide Rising series )
Let his right wing views dominate a good story.I have read 90% of his books but this one throws overtly the libertarianism view up to preaching in the 2nd book.it's fine for the setting,but it gets a little too preachy to be relevant to the story.So stopped reading after chapter 10.
With hope if there is more Empire Corps to come,that he doesn't fall down the hole that John Ringo (Ringo did recover but The Last Centurion,was unreadable. )fell down,and destroy the series.
Let his right wing views dominate a good story.I have read 90% of his books but this one throws overtly the libertarianism view up to preaching in the 2nd book.it's fine for the setting,but it gets a little too preachy to be relevant to the story.So stopped reading after chapter 10.
With hope if there is more Empire Corps to come,that he doesn't fall down the hole that John Ringo (Ringo did recover but The Last Centurion,was unreadable. )fell down,and destroy the series.
November 24, 2018
Started this series because I enjoyed another of Nuttall's series. Barely got through the first on the sci-fi ideas alone. This started and continued describing the earth governments as a skewed nightmare from conservative media realized. Could not finish. This series has been ruined for me.
October 12, 2019
DNF. 25%
It was with reluctance that I gave up on this book. The two POV characters were interesting and sympathetic. Sadly, at the quarter mark not much had happened and fully half the text was devoted to the author's lectures on his particular brand of sociology, politics, and economics.
I can sympathize with Christopher's frustration with bureaucracy and political correctness, but his arguments, without informed oppositional debate, are the equivalent of shadow boxing. It's easy to set up a straw-man to be skewered by your pointed wit. It's far different when real opponents stand before you, ready to defend themselves.
The author seems to admire Heinlein so much that he even duplicates that titan's failings. It's much better to show how your perfect world would work, rather than telling us at great length how much better it is.
It was with reluctance that I gave up on this book. The two POV characters were interesting and sympathetic. Sadly, at the quarter mark not much had happened and fully half the text was devoted to the author's lectures on his particular brand of sociology, politics, and economics.
I can sympathize with Christopher's frustration with bureaucracy and political correctness, but his arguments, without informed oppositional debate, are the equivalent of shadow boxing. It's easy to set up a straw-man to be skewered by your pointed wit. It's far different when real opponents stand before you, ready to defend themselves.
The author seems to admire Heinlein so much that he even duplicates that titan's failings. It's much better to show how your perfect world would work, rather than telling us at great length how much better it is.
June 20, 2019
Nuttall: Don't write minority characters, write what you know.
October 17, 2014
Four and a half stars! The Solar Union from "A Learning Experience" is fifty years old and all grown up. It has made allies and enemies and finally gotten a little notice from 'the Galactics'.
I used to work in a restaurant where the chef would daily say "great food is 10% technique and 90% ingredients." I think Nuttall has taken this approach to writing. I really like his writing and if you read as much of him as I do it is easy to recognize some ingredients, at least enough to appreciate their quality.
So what are the ingredients? The characters are interesting, from the Stuarts returning from A Learning Experience who founded the Solar Union, to Martin and Yolanda who grew up after the Union was formed. I really like the contrast between the younglings who appreciate and thrive in the Union and the old guard who struggle to protect the Union while trying to preserve (and sometimes failing) its founding spirit. The other ingredients are familiar to Nuttall readers, but that doesn't mean they aren't good. There is a little of 'failing empire' Democracy's Right, Barbarians at the Gatesand there are a lot of similar elements to Storming Heaven so much that I think this is what Storming Heaven was trying to be.
I like 'comfort food' and really good hamburgers. Its the ingredients that make the difference between a meal and a memory and Nuttall uses only the best ingredients. He is my 'comfort food' of Science Fiction.
I used to work in a restaurant where the chef would daily say "great food is 10% technique and 90% ingredients." I think Nuttall has taken this approach to writing. I really like his writing and if you read as much of him as I do it is easy to recognize some ingredients, at least enough to appreciate their quality.
So what are the ingredients? The characters are interesting, from the Stuarts returning from A Learning Experience who founded the Solar Union, to Martin and Yolanda who grew up after the Union was formed. I really like the contrast between the younglings who appreciate and thrive in the Union and the old guard who struggle to protect the Union while trying to preserve (and sometimes failing) its founding spirit. The other ingredients are familiar to Nuttall readers, but that doesn't mean they aren't good. There is a little of 'failing empire' Democracy's Right, Barbarians at the Gatesand there are a lot of similar elements to Storming Heaven so much that I think this is what Storming Heaven was trying to be.
I like 'comfort food' and really good hamburgers. Its the ingredients that make the difference between a meal and a memory and Nuttall uses only the best ingredients. He is my 'comfort food' of Science Fiction.
October 23, 2022
This book really makes me lose faith in nuttall, pushing the PC being apologetic creating hatred based on misconceptions being unethical justified via excuses etc. Its highly frustrating to having been put trough a straight half hour of racial apologetics ( i was cooking food so wasnt even able to skip it). I find it highly aggravating to be mansplained a subject of which the writer doesnt knows any details but tries to fit the political narrative, to then mis the mark and anger everyone.. .Genus > species > races for example, saying human race etc. human is a poetic term for those that are part of and participating in humanity, saying human race implies everyone is born human without having to strive for it. Nor are we one race, we are a species and aliens would be other species and not other races, Are spiders even of the same genus,,, no. I liked part one despite the overly tough soldier all knowing guy act and lack of character development, they are called jarheads for a reason... sigh the total pandering to western propaganda classing nations that have been under american imperialism and oppressions for decades terrorist etc etc. It is interesting that some people take this as right winged when it is clearly left racial pandering virtue signal narrative. I love the direction of this universe created, execution of it is just drivel. I am guessing this was a contracted book with some political narrative being requested by the publisher (including the term "human race"), this often leads to bad books. I am sort off committed but i am hesitant to go for book 3.
April 21, 2020
I liked the story but I didn't like the authors political lecturing, it's like he got in an argument with someone and wanted to vent all his believes in to his story where no one can argue back. Yet the only way his believes actually work is in this fictional story, where you have machines that can know when people are lying, little nanites that can take out the terrorist and people can easily vote using their implants.
December 15, 2022
I love the story, but..
I love the stories, but enough with your politics. It’s too simplistic, and comes from someone that is smart, and misinformed. Quotes lots of history, but gets his conclusions wrong. All Governments, and all Politicians, and all the people in the Ghetto? Such generalities are drivel. Worth reading the books, but it’s like a friend that’s fun, but has a variety of conspiracy beliefs that make you roll your eyes.
I love the stories, but enough with your politics. It’s too simplistic, and comes from someone that is smart, and misinformed. Quotes lots of history, but gets his conclusions wrong. All Governments, and all Politicians, and all the people in the Ghetto? Such generalities are drivel. Worth reading the books, but it’s like a friend that’s fun, but has a variety of conspiracy beliefs that make you roll your eyes.
December 14, 2018
I would like Christopher to get off of his soap box and tell the story...
January 17, 2018
Still enjoying the series. I listened to this during a solo trip to and from Ocala. New characters are introduced, and more conflict develops as the Solar Union faces the Tokamak (not sure of spelling since I haven't seen a print copy of the book.)
The startlingly fast breakdown of earth's society is a bit far-fetched, but basic ideas behind the breakdown are certainly plausible.
I like reading books and stories that explore the flaws in our society and attempt to envision reasonable alternatives for a peaceful society. The author continues to present a good case for his Libertarian views.
The startlingly fast breakdown of earth's society is a bit far-fetched, but basic ideas behind the breakdown are certainly plausible.
I like reading books and stories that explore the flaws in our society and attempt to envision reasonable alternatives for a peaceful society. The author continues to present a good case for his Libertarian views.
August 10, 2018
Mr. Nuttall seems to bring a hard-core "tea-party" sort of attitude to his "world", but then he carefully brings back humans, human foibles, and human strengths that demonstrate both individualism AND greed, lust for power, and simple weaknesses. Still, he crafts a story that compels while raising questions about the next generation of people, of other races, and of conflict.
I would urge the reader to read the first volume of this series first, then this. I look forward to volume three. Oh, and while this entertains, the careful reader will also be forced to think. Try it: I suspect you will like it.
I would urge the reader to read the first volume of this series first, then this. I look forward to volume three. Oh, and while this entertains, the careful reader will also be forced to think. Try it: I suspect you will like it.
April 26, 2018
If only
Hopeful drama. If only the past was put behind ,and the present was lived as it should be with kindness and consideration and crime and cruelty not excused by a deprived background. If having children was not so easy for the majority perhaps they would be enjoyed and given higher standards to live by.
Hopeful drama. If only the past was put behind ,and the present was lived as it should be with kindness and consideration and crime and cruelty not excused by a deprived background. If having children was not so easy for the majority perhaps they would be enjoyed and given higher standards to live by.
July 22, 2018
A wild rollercoaster!
I was sad to see this book end, as I enjoyed the adventure so much! I would so join the Solar Union today! The plot, the characters, the adventure- it’s all there. Money well spent?
I was sad to see this book end, as I enjoyed the adventure so much! I would so join the Solar Union today! The plot, the characters, the adventure- it’s all there. Money well spent?
September 17, 2019
The book is great, the afterwords are better
I am always amazed at how you are able to address our societal problems in your books and give practical insight into the problem and solutions if anyone cared to listen, sign me up for the moon colony
I am always amazed at how you are able to address our societal problems in your books and give practical insight into the problem and solutions if anyone cared to listen, sign me up for the moon colony
November 29, 2022
Military space opera
This series has a very different perspective from others I have read. There is a socio-political twist which is thought provoking. That aside it is a good story with interesting characters.
This series has a very different perspective from others I have read. There is a socio-political twist which is thought provoking. That aside it is a good story with interesting characters.
May 17, 2025
Excellent
I found this story very enjoyable to read. It's a good stand alone story as the universe grows. The main characters had depth and real feelings. The storyline was strong and the conflicts solid! Keep it up. More!
I found this story very enjoyable to read. It's a good stand alone story as the universe grows. The main characters had depth and real feelings. The storyline was strong and the conflicts solid! Keep it up. More!
April 3, 2018
An Interesting Read
I found this the second book to be a better read than the first. The characters had more depth and the action was well paced and believable.
I found this the second book to be a better read than the first. The characters had more depth and the action was well paced and believable.
April 8, 2019
Really loved the idea of this book. It just skips over it all so fast. I needed more technical/science stuff. Although it's definitely worth a read.
May 3, 2019
Pretty good book, humans fighting with client species aliens struggling to overcome the odds...
January 12, 2020
Rollicking Action
Christopher has done it, again...marrying developed characters with new ones, providing deep background for each, and continuing a grand adventure!
Christopher has done it, again...marrying developed characters with new ones, providing deep background for each, and continuing a grand adventure!
September 13, 2020
Too much commentary
I loved the story and the plot. The commentary by the author nearly ruined it. I managed to skip past enough of that to finish the book.
I loved the story and the plot. The commentary by the author nearly ruined it. I managed to skip past enough of that to finish the book.
December 2, 2020
I really wanted to like this book but I think the protagonist characters political views conflicted with mine so much that it was just not fun for me to read.
October 15, 2022
This is getting really good. I initially was dubious of the time jump and new POV's, but it turned out fantastic! 👍🏾👍🏾
Read
January 17, 2025Amazing read
As always i was fixated from the beginning. I absolutely love this man. I have never a book of his that i didn't love. He is a genius
As always i was fixated from the beginning. I absolutely love this man. I have never a book of his that i didn't love. He is a genius
November 15, 2014
We’ve move 50 years in to the future after Steve Stuart and his brothers were captured by some stupid aliens. As you remember, Steve and his brothers overpowered this grossly inept aliens and found that they didn’t know anything about the ship they were flying nor were they interested in knowing about it or much of anything else. They were scavengers using ships that were given to them even though the ships didn’t fit their anatomy! They didn’t know how to use the weapons they had nor were they much inclined to learn.
Therefore Steve and his band of ex-military and CIA types were able to completely take the original ship and then two more when they decided to attack Earth. Then Steve and his brothers decided to start recruiting people from Earth to set up a new nation on the Moon. This appealed to a lot of people, not all military types. So they had to make some rules but their rules were about a simple as they could be. This new nation wasn’t going to be bogged down with tons of restrictions and regulations like Earth had become. I like the concept although the author got a little carried away trying to show how bad it was on Earth. It may or may not get that way and if things hadn’t, the Stuart family might have had a harder time recruiting people.
But, they didn’t and now they are the SOL Alliance spread out to the Moon, Mars and several asteroids. They were also terraforming Venus and would soon see people living there. One of the Sol Alliances prime directives if you want to call them that, was they were not going to meddle in Earth’s affairs as long as it didn’t impact the Sol Alliance. The Alliance had some fantastic advanced technology that would have made things much easier on Earth but they weren’t just going to give it away. They also needed some kind of support from America but America wanted help in solving the Taliban terrorist problem. The Alliance managed to spray or drop electronic bugs on just about all the bad guys in the Middle East and then when the time was right, told them to kill their carrier. Most of the Taliban dropped dead where they stood. Problem solved.
Ok, that took care of Earth for now. Another problem showing up for the Alliance was that the greater galactic community was beginning to notice these humans. They also noted, with alarm, that humans seem to be very innovative and have even advanced some technology that was not though capable of being advanced. The humans were even building their own starships and were putting weapons on them that had unknown capabilities. Additionally, the human mercanieries were proving to be too good for the side they fought on. The balance of a long, long standing war was tilting in the favor of the side using the humans.
The Tokomak, the galaxies greatest and oldest civilization which controlled all know space, were becoming aware of Earth humans and did not like what they were hearing. They decided to send a fleet to destroy Earth which would end any kind of threat that puny civilization might create in the near future. Even with their fantastic fleet numbering in the tens of thousands, they didn’t really know who they were going after. It’s time for the galaxy to lean something new!
Great story covering two books. You go from alien abduction in the first book to well, you need to read them to find up how Steve Stuart and his brothers finish this up. It’s pretty exciting all the way through. Don’t think about how they did it because it’s science-fiction and anything can be done by a sci-fi author!
Therefore Steve and his band of ex-military and CIA types were able to completely take the original ship and then two more when they decided to attack Earth. Then Steve and his brothers decided to start recruiting people from Earth to set up a new nation on the Moon. This appealed to a lot of people, not all military types. So they had to make some rules but their rules were about a simple as they could be. This new nation wasn’t going to be bogged down with tons of restrictions and regulations like Earth had become. I like the concept although the author got a little carried away trying to show how bad it was on Earth. It may or may not get that way and if things hadn’t, the Stuart family might have had a harder time recruiting people.
But, they didn’t and now they are the SOL Alliance spread out to the Moon, Mars and several asteroids. They were also terraforming Venus and would soon see people living there. One of the Sol Alliances prime directives if you want to call them that, was they were not going to meddle in Earth’s affairs as long as it didn’t impact the Sol Alliance. The Alliance had some fantastic advanced technology that would have made things much easier on Earth but they weren’t just going to give it away. They also needed some kind of support from America but America wanted help in solving the Taliban terrorist problem. The Alliance managed to spray or drop electronic bugs on just about all the bad guys in the Middle East and then when the time was right, told them to kill their carrier. Most of the Taliban dropped dead where they stood. Problem solved.
Ok, that took care of Earth for now. Another problem showing up for the Alliance was that the greater galactic community was beginning to notice these humans. They also noted, with alarm, that humans seem to be very innovative and have even advanced some technology that was not though capable of being advanced. The humans were even building their own starships and were putting weapons on them that had unknown capabilities. Additionally, the human mercanieries were proving to be too good for the side they fought on. The balance of a long, long standing war was tilting in the favor of the side using the humans.
The Tokomak, the galaxies greatest and oldest civilization which controlled all know space, were becoming aware of Earth humans and did not like what they were hearing. They decided to send a fleet to destroy Earth which would end any kind of threat that puny civilization might create in the near future. Even with their fantastic fleet numbering in the tens of thousands, they didn’t really know who they were going after. It’s time for the galaxy to lean something new!
Great story covering two books. You go from alien abduction in the first book to well, you need to read them to find up how Steve Stuart and his brothers finish this up. It’s pretty exciting all the way through. Don’t think about how they did it because it’s science-fiction and anything can be done by a sci-fi author!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews