The General series
The General (also known as the Raj Whitehall series after the lead character) is a set of military science fiction books written by S.M. Stirling from an outline by David Drake. Clearly inspired by the Byzantine commander Belisarius, the series shares numerous common elements with the more recent Belisarius series by Drake and Eric Flint.
Books
Original series
Centering on Raj Ammenda Halgern da Luis Whitehall
The first two books were also published as an omnibus Warlord (2003), with the next three in another as Conqueror (2003).
Follow-on series
- The Chosen (1996)
- The Reformer (1999)
- The Tyrant (by Eric Flint, 2002)
Plot
The first 5 books are set on the planet Bellevue. Previously part of a high-technology galactic civilization, planetary civilization collapsed during "the Fall", when extensive fusion bomb destruction greatly reduced the planet's population and technology level. Technology has redeveloped only slowly, The most advanced groups have reached the level of double-expansion steam engines, wrapped brass-cartridge breech-loading rifles (Martini-Henry lock or very similar) or lever-action carbines, cast-steel breech-loading cannon, simple revolvers, etc. Progress has slowed at this point: the breech-loading rifle was adopted over two-hundred years ago, but other groups still use flint-locks or percussion cap weapons.
The concept of technology has become the basis for a schismatic religion, the Holy Federation with priestly Hierarchs, Sysups and so on, an inquisition called Anti-Viral Cleansers. The people speak various mangled tongues, including Sponglish, Spanjol and Namerique, with elements of English, French and Spanish apparent. At the time of the Fall the planet had no horses, so now cavalry is mounted on 1000-lb dogs of various breeds.
The books begin in the Year of the Fall 1103, when the protagonist, Raj Whitehall, stumbles across a working remnant of the old technology, the computer "Center", which he regards as an angel (which is how computers are thought of by his religion). Center describes itself as a "sentient artificial entity of photonic subsystems tasked with the politico-military supervision" of Bellvue. Center tasks Whitehall with uniting Bellevue and provides him with a constant mental link, strategy assessments and simulations, historical data, and a number of other handy features as aid.
True to their historical model the books focus on the convoluted "strategic offensive, tactical defensive" campaigns of General Whitehall around the Midworld Sea and his fraught relation with his paranoid 'emperor' - Governor Barholm Clerett - and the avaricious Chancellor Tzetzas. Whitehall's nation is called the Civil Government, amongst his opponents are the Military Governments of the Brigade, and the Squadron, and the Islamic Colonists.
Characters
Civil Government
Raj Whitehall
The protagonist of the story, Raj Whitehall is "chosen" by the Sector Command and Control Mark - XIV computer he calls Center to unite Bellevue in order to restore civilization on the planet and save it from a downward spiral that, according to Center's calculations, might last as long as fifteen thousand years. On his campaigns he forms a group of Companions; able commanders who form the ad hoc overall command group of the Civil Government Army. His campaigns begin on the border of the Civil Government and the Islamic Colony, then go on to the barbarian-controlled Western Territories of the Brigade and Squadron; and culminate in his defense of the Civil Government against the Colony's main army. Throughout the series' story, Raj Whitehall is doubted and suspected of treason by Governor Barholm Clerett, despite continuously proving his loyalty; even thwarting an attempt at Clerett's life by ending a coup started by Thom Poplanich's brother Des and troops led by Colonel Stanson.
Companions
The Companions are men loyal to General Whitehall who form the overall command group of the Civil Government Army (more specifically the Expeditionary Force), as the Army does not have a structure of command higher than battalion level. Most of them are of the Messer class, which makes them nobility in the Civil Government.
- Colonel Staenbridge, Gerrin (becomes Companion in The Forge)
Second in overall command, Raj Whitehall's right-hand man.
- Colonel Menyez, Jorg (becomes Companion in The Forge)
Overall infantry commander, also commands: 17th Kelden County Foot, 24th Valencia Foot
- Colonel Dinnalsyn, Grammeck (becomes Companion in The Hammer)
Overall artillery commander. Grammeck Dinnalsyn is also somewhat of an engineer, as he is also knowledgeable on matters concerning fortifications and weapons development. One testament to the latter is the splatgun, a rapid-fire weapon reminiscent of the early Gatling guns called so because of the sound it makes when it is fired.
- Muzzaf Kerpatik (becomes Companion in The Forge)
Non-military. He is a Komarite (Arab) trader who swears his loyalty to Raj Whitehall after admitting his error in taking part in the dealings of Chancellor Tzetzas. He is Raj's main logistics man and the chief steward of the Whitehalls.
- Major Gruder, Kaltin (becomes Companion in The Forge)
Commands: 5th Descott Guards, 7th Descott Rangers.
- Major Poplanich, Ehwardo (becomes Companion in The Hammer)
Commands: Poplanich's Own. This battalion is recruited from the Poplanich family's estates around East Residence. Ehwardo is the cousin of the brothers Thom and Des Poplanich, and is killed in The Steel by the Brigade.
- Captain Gruder, Evrard (becomes Companion in The Forge)
Commands: 5th Descott Guards. Killed in The Forge by a shell from a Colonial pom-pom, a light field gun with a higher rate of fire and smaller shells than the Civil Government's.
- Captain Foley, Barton (Bartin) (becomes Companion in The Forge)
Commands: 5th Descott Guards. Loses his left hand in The Forge due to a pom-pom shell. It is replaced with a hook thereafter. Foley is Gerrin Staenbridge's protege-cum-boyfriend, and is fond of literature. Before every major battle in the field, Foley gives the following toast to end staff meetings: "He fears his fate too much, and his desserts are small, he who will not lay it on the line ---to win or lose it all.". Foley's interest in literature garners him an award for his book, Raj Whitehall and His Times, which he is to write after Thom Poplanich is enchaired as Governor and Center declares the Fall to be over.
- Senior Captain M'lewis, Antin (becomes Companion in The Forge)
Commands: 5th Descott Guards Scout Unit (The Forty Thieves). He is from Bufford Parish, the most lawless part of not-so-lawful Descott County, therefore he is regarded as somewhat of a bandit by Raj Whitehall when they first meet. He is distinguished by his wire garrote and the skinning knife that he carries on his left side. M'lewis meets Raj Whitehall when he is brought before him concerning an incident involving a pig (or a shoat) gone missing despite a no-foraging order.
- Captain Thiddo, Mekkle (becomes Companion in The Hammer)
Commands: 5th Descott Guards, 1st Rogor Slashers. Shot under truce banner after parley with Squadrone nobles.
- Captain M'brust, Tejan (becomes Companion in The Hammer)
Commands: 1st Rogor Slashers, 5th Descott Guards, 2nd Cruisers. Takes command after death of Mekkle Thiddo, then his command is later transferred to the 2nd Cruisers.
- Capatin Zahpata, Hadolfo (becomes Companion in The Hammer)
Commands: 18th Komar Borderers.
- Captain Bellamy, Ludwig (becomes Companion in The Hammer)
Commands: 1st and 2nd Cruisers, ex-Squadrone soldiers conscripted into the Civil Government Army.
- Captain Welf, Teodore (becomes Companion in The Steel)
Commands: 1/591st, 2/591st, 3/591st Brigaderos; ex-Brigade soldiers conscripted into the Civil Government Army. Formerly second in overall command of the Brigade under General Ingreid Manfrond.
Nations and Barbarians
The Civil Government / Gubernio Civil
Remnants of those who remained loyal to the Federation and the civilian government. One of the most technologically advanced nations. The Civil Government is governed by a hierarchy of Ministers headed by a single Governor. The Governor is said to be head of the Church of Holy Federation as well as Viceregent of the Spirit of Man on Earth. Governors are placed on the Chair either by hereditary inheritance or by "shooting their way onto the Chair", which can be placed either literally or by a coup deposing the incumbent Governor, usually by a successful general. Raj Whitehall believes that the Civil Government has the legitimate right to ruling all of Bellevue. Residents of the Civil Government speak Sponglish, a mangled version of Spanish and English which apparently is descended from Mexican and other languages. This state is modeled on the Byzantine Empire.
The Colony
Nation established by Islamic/Arab settlers. Technologically second only to the Civil Government. Their leader is called a Settler, and like the Civil Government the right throne is settled either by hereditary inheritance or civil war. The latter comes as a result as a result of a dispute over multiple heirs over the throne. However, those who are not whole in body (i.e. missing a limb or other body part) are disqualified and ineligible to claim the throne; which is why Tewfik ibn'Jamal cannot become Settler as he lost an eye in the Zanj campaigns. Residents of the Colony speak Arabic. This state is modeled on the Sassanid Empire of Belisarius's time.
The Brigade / Brigaderos
Barbarian Military Government established by the descendants of the 591st Provisional Brigade. They are the most technologically advanced of the Military Governments. The Brigadero army uses rifle-muskets, which are primitive compared to the Armory breech-loaders used in the Civil Government Army. Cavalry units also carry two-meter long lances as well as cutlasses with hand-guards. Brigadero soldiers also wear front-and -back breastplates which are resistant to lead hollowpoint shots fired from Civil Government rifles. This leads to the Civil Government army switching to brass-tipped bullets to puncture such armor. The Brigade and the Squadron speak dialects of Spanjol and Namerique, remnants of Spanish and English respectively. This state is modeled on the Ostrogoths of Belisarius's time.
The Squadron / Squadrones
Barbarian Military Government established by the descendants the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. Less developed than the Brigade, but with a more maritime orientation. The Squadrones can be likened to the Germanic berserkers, both from physical appearance (they are described as large, pale-skinned and well-built) and from their apparent love for combat; as it is shameful in their culture to shun or run away from battle. In Raj Whitehall's first campaign in the Western Territories, the Squadrones literally run into the line of fire of the Civil Government field guns. The Squadron and the Brigade speak dialects of Spanjol and Namerique, remnants of Spanish and English respectively. This state is modeled on the Vandals of Belisarius's time.
The Skinners
Barbarian nomads employed by the Civil Government as mercenaries. Notorious anarchist survivalists, with a reputation for marksmanship, dog riding, and atrocities. Reminiscent of the Huns.
The Zanj
Little is known of the Zanj area or its people, except that Tewfik ibn'Jamal lost his eye while campaigning there. Also, the people in the Zanj area are shi'a (Shiite) muslims, otherwise known as Druzes. Abdullah Al'aziz is a Druze from the Zanj area whose family and life is saved by Suzette Whitehall.
Chosen series
In the follow-up novel, Center, along with the recorded mind of Raj Whitehall, are sent to the planet Visager to help boost that society to the point where it too can join what has now become Bellvue's multi-world Federation. This time, Center recruits two brothers, Jeffrey Farr and John Hosten, to help remake a world. Standing in their way is a nation of eugenically bred warriors called the Chosen, the strongest, most technologically advanced military force on the planet, who believe that all non-Chosen are merely slaves who haven't been caught yet. The author has stated that this book was "based on what I considered the reality of Steve's Draka universe..."[1]
Hafardine
The next two books also have Center & Raj in their overseer/advisor roles, assisting Adrian Gellert, whose brother Esmond also plays a pivotal role in bringing back civilization to Hafardine. It is based upon the fall of the Roman Republic.[2]
Additonal books/outlines
There was an outline for a book called The Green Planet, which had implementation problems and was was canned. The author states it was "probably a bad idea (no, it wasn't my idea, but I acquiesed); it's unlikely ever to be turned into a novel."[3]
One other first-rate outline, based on an Ancient Egyptian model.[4]