GALACTIC CONVOY: Director's Cut Edition

Description

Assigned to I.F.S. Defiant, first of a new warship class, Brim finds himself at the critical port of Atalanta on the planet Hador-Haelic, putting him in the thick of the action when the whole concept of space warfare changes.

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Customer Reviews

POOR, POOR, POOR
I waited to start this series until I had the first 7 books. I thought I had something after reading the first one. Not so. Brim was a great character to start with but goes down hill after book 1 I guess Baldwin turns him into what Baldwin secretly wants too be, a Lothario who gets all the beautiful, big breasted women including wives plus the action becomes very predictable and unvaried. Brim flies, fights, takes a lot of damage, kills a lot of bad guys and a lot of his crews.
Very uneven, poor continuity, terrible morals. I will not be buying the new book coming out this year.

2010-05-04 (santee, Ca) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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too much detail and sex
Wilf Brim and the other cast of characters do an excellent job of saving the galaxy in some well written and exciting space battles. But in between there is just too much boring details, (We don't need pages and pages of how to land a starship) and too much promiscuity. You would think that the only other thing that interests Wilf, other that being a helmsman, is having sex with any female that was convenient. I think this is true with all the rest of the series, too.

2009-09-09 | Rod Hixon (Pueblo, Colorado, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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THE TROPHY

Description

The Trophy was, is, and always has been, a futuristic, Military-Science-Fiction novel about intra-galactic competition and conflict. Originally published in 1990, it is third in a series of seven novels about the adventures of StarSailor and expert Helmsman Wilf Brim during an epoch of discord and outright war among various star-nations--within a galaxy that could be a far-future version of the one in which we live.

This special, "Director's Cut" Edition is heavily re-written, a la George Lucas' rewrite of the Star Wars Trilogy, to bring it more in line with later novels in the series, as well as the first two "Director's Cut" Editions of The Helmsman and Galactic Convoy. This edition also answers a question from thousands of readers: "What happened to Anna Romanoff," a love-interest character in the novel who, previously, never quite made it to the next in the series

The novel begins just as Brim--once a fast-rising First Lieutenant in the Imperial Fleet--has been thrown out the service during a post-war reduction in force (RIF), along with thousands of other warriors by a Imperial Government that all-too-easily forgets how much it relied on them only a short time previously.

The change devastates Brim; like so many other young men, from humble beginnings, he bases much of his self-worth on his success in his occupation. For a short while, he hangs on piloting worn-out third-rate spaceliners, but when that operation fails, Brim has nowhere to turn. As a last resort, he works passage to on one of the grand liners as a baggage-handler to the City of Atalanta on the planet Hador-Haelic where, eventually, old friends involve him in the great Mitchell Trophy astroplane races, and he ends up piloting for the Imperial Starflight Society.

Anyone familiar with the history of air racing will instantly recognize The Trophy as my personal tribute to one of the grand fascinations of my life: the Schneider Trophy Races that began in 1913 with fragile Bleriot biplane racers on floats and ended in 1931 with Reginald Mitchell's early masterpiece, the Supermarine S.6B, that retired the trophy for all time. In addition, its twelve-cylinder engine was the prototype for the Rolls-Royce Merlin and Griffin engines that years later powered Mitchell's superb Spitfire, the U.S. Mustang, the British Lancaster bomber, and most of the unlimited Gold Cup hydroplane racers of the late 1940s, the 1950s, the 1960s, and the early 1970s.

ON THE "DIRECTOR'S CUT" VERSION: Turned out that Trophy was a pivotal book in the Helmsman Saga, because in the original version, the prototype Starfury was a destroyer-sized starship, but by the time The Defenders came along, it had shrunk to something a fraction of its original size--and made the intervening Mercenaries extra difficult to bring into line with the later books.. It took a lot of rewriting.

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Customer Reviews

POOR, POOR, POOR
I waited to start this series until I had the first 7 books. I thought I had something after reading the first one. Not so. Brim was a great character to start with but goes down hill after book 1 I guess Baldwin turns him into what Baldwin secretly wants too be, a Lothario who gets all the beautiful, big breasted women including wives plus the action becomes very predictable and unvaried. Brim flies, fights, takes a lot of damage, kills a lot of bad guys and a lot of his crews.
Very uneven, poor continuity, terrible morals. I will not be buying the new book coming out this year.

2010-05-04 (santee, Ca) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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"The Trophy" Director's Cut
I have been a fan of The Helmsman series by Bill Baldwin for nearly two decades. The series is a fast-paced space adventure. I have always loved the main character, Wilf Brim. His simple modesty despite his great accomplishments against powerful personal and professional odds has caused me to return to the series time and time again. When I heard about the Director's Cut novels in 2004, I was both surprised and excited and overjoyed to learn that the story would finally continue with the Turning Tide.

"The Trophy" is the third director's cut released. It has changed significantly from the original version; however, the changes add much more depth to the story. They also resolve the story of Anna Romanoff who appeared in this book, yet never appeared again afterwards. I enjoyed this new version. It was cleaner and stayed true to the spirit and flare of the story. The only problems I had with the book was the lack of justification of the font. The letters were spaced a bit far apart. I am not sure if this was an error, but it suddenly corrected itself toward the end of the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. If you love military science fiction and a plain old adventure story, then you will love this novel and the series itself.

Voot's Greasy Beard, the Trophy is a thraggling good ride!

2007-05-30 | starfury (North Carolina, NC) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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Pretty Good Book, But.....
Finally Bill Baldwin produced the next book in his "director's cut" series. Too bad he waited so long. His customers got screwed over by timberwolf press that purchased the entire series. Hope the new publisher doesn't do the same thing. Aside from that I enjoyed the book very much.

2007-05-16 (Washington D.C.) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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space-race and humor
Like others in this series, this book is an enjoyable read, with what I found was a little more humor than the other books in the series.

Baldwin continues to tell the tale of Wilf Brim, however the book starts out with Wilf out of the Fleet. The reasons for this are given quickly, but this style of having events happen between books reminds me of the original three star wars movies. (Don't worry, I'm not putting the two things on the same level)

The plot line is that during a lull in the War, the different factions focus on the privatly sponsored Mitchell Trophy Race, for the fastest starships in the galaxy. Baldwin uses this time well for a quick step up in technology for the ships later in the series.

(I'm also curious what references the other reviewer is talking about. I'm intereseted, please email me at Vampyre292@aol.com)

2000-01-02 (Maine) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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The Helmsman goes Racing against the League
The Third novel in the Helmsman series has ex- Fleet officer Wilf Brim down on his luck. But as luck would have it, his friends and enemies combine to allow Wilf to become the fastest pilot in the Universe.

Though by this time the reader is starting to see repeat paragraphs of descriptions, the writing is good enough to allow one to escape into an adventurous tale of racing and derring-do. Though the end of the book is entirely too predictable, the descriptions of technical detail and flying prowess are entertaining in their own right.

I hope they reprint this book as it is part and parcel of a fine series. Besides, how many references to material in the Helmsman series have you seen in recent Sci-Fi movies and TV shows (8 by my count). The writers are reading

1997-05-03 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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THE ENIGMA STRATEGY

Description

In early 1942, Italian Partisans steal the Nazi Enigma Machine. The British must obtain it from a North Italian Lake. A cruiser carries a Racing Seaplane to Naples Bay. The pilot flies to the lake, gets the Machine, but finds the cruiser sunk and can't return. He must get Enigma home or be captured. How?

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Customer Reviews

Shades of Dave Dawson
"The Enigma Straegy" could be factual. If this book had been written as a non-fiction book, it is believable. There are a little too many coincedences required to make the plot work, but who's to say they couldn't have happened. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, as I have with all of Bill Baldwin's books

2009-03-04 | Readsalot (Lyles, TN USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Similar to The Helmsman series
This book is very similar to the Wilf Brim series entitled The Helmsman, it just takes place on earth in 1940 during WWII. Our hero, an American fighter pilot with the RAF, gets in trouble and is courtmartialed. An Ian Fleming type character comes up with the idea on how to steal and Enigma machine in Italy from the Germans; the problem is how to get it out of Italy. Simple, just find a person crazy enough to fly the predicessor to the Spitfire in order to smuggle out the captured machine! That is the basis of the book. A very pleasant and enjoyable read, no need to worry about lots of history or knowledge of geography, just sit back with a pleasant drink and start to relax and enjoy yourself! I got a kick out of the actions of the Mafia, the local Police and their action with the Germans. I recommend this book to fans of Bill Baldwin!

2009-02-27 (Arkansas, USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Another good read from Mr. Baldwin
Nice fun read. A few minor technical glitches, if you don't know about the Schneider cup, you'll never catch them

2009-02-16 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Wow
Hard to believe the author could improve on his last series - but somehow he found a way! Let him take you on an adventure.

2008-12-28 | Loves Perfume (Raleigh, NC) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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The Helmsman (The Helmsman, 1)

Description

Book # 2 in the best selling Helmsman saga! Ursis nodded soberly out the Hyperscreens toward the merchant ships, then turned to Brim. "Out there, Wilf Ansor," he brooded, "are real heroes of war. To fight from behind disruptors of warship is something anyone can do. One can always count on lucky shooting to save him from disaster—or heavy armor plate at least. But to face enemy with only black void and thin sheet of hullmetal separating you from disruptors—and then stay in formation—that is kind of bravery we Sodeskayans record in Great Books."

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Customer Reviews

Not bad
First in a series, I thought it was pretty good. The main character is a standard poor boy from the sticks who makes good against all odds, that was the good part. Then he turns into a Lothario getting only beautiful, big breasted women including other mens wives. Then I read the next six books.The rest of the books just go down hill with bad continuity, terrible lack of morals, and way too many unbelievable escapes and such by the amoral sex fiend of a main character.
I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANYMORE OF THIS SERIES.

2010-05-04 (santee, Ca) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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The Helmsman
An excellent introduction to the Helmsman series.
Be certain to get the Director's cuts of this
series when they are available.

2009-03-02 | N5EI (Plainfield, NH) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Loved this book!
Really enjoyed this book and am trying to get the rest of them in hardback. Baldwin does a superb job of writing of the order of Heinlein, Zahn and Laumer (my other favorites). His technology descriptions make you think these anti-gravity and hyperspace things really work! Please write more!

2008-08-12 | StanL6580 (Washington, DC United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Classic Space Opera
The Helmsman is a great start to an excellent series of books that revolve around the main character, Wilf Brim, and his adventures in space. While the basic story line, lowly peon advances to fame and riches while gaining love of beauteous princess, is predictable it is done with a style and class that make the reader ignore that aspect. Also, the gritty reality and attention to details help to make Wilf Brim's universe real in the readers mind. Overall this book is an outstanding read alone or beginning to a series.

If I had to make a complaint about this book I would have to say that the author does not give enough information on Wilf's background. While there are repeated references to his past and his family there is never any detail given. While this is not a terrible thing, flash backs can sometimes be annoying, the author references back to them too much to leave unexplained.

2008-01-15 (Wichita, Kansas United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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A great sci-fi tale
I was a bit hesitant, after reading most of the first chapter, because it seemed like there was a ton of really "heavy" description of stuff, and it was starting to bog down.

But I continued reading, and I was glad I did. Though the "heavy" descriptions may not get any lighter, the pace definitely picks up to a good level. This book is an excellent sci-fi tale, with interesting (not to mention fun) characters, a terrific plot (except for at least one point which I'll bring up later), and an ending which makes you want to read the next book in the series (which I want to).

There was a slight disturbance for me with the relationship between the main character (Wilf Brim) and his love interest. The fact that she decides to continue on with her arranged marriage to another man, and keep Brim around `on the side' seemed to rub me the wrong way. The marriage didn't happen in this book, though, so there's always hope things will turn out for the best.

Plenty of action, a little romance thrown in, and plenty of cool technologies to marvel over make this book a good one in my opinion. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I believe you will too.

2003-11-18 (Wichita, KS) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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The Siege (Questar Science Fiction)

Description

Rear Admiral Wilf Brim and his old comrade General Ursis must rally Sodeskaya's archaic ships in order to repel Triannic's vast star fleet and overcome overwhelming odds. By the author of The Defenders.

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Customer Reviews

POOR, POOR, POOR
I waited to start this series until I had the first 7 books. I thought I had something after reading the first one. Not so. Brim was a great character to start with but goes down hill after book 1 I guess Baldwin turns him into what Baldwin secretly wants too be, a Lothario who gets all the beautiful, big breasted women including wives plus the action becomes very predictable and unvaried. Brim flies, fights, takes a lot of damage, kills a lot of bad guys and a lot of his crews.
Very uneven, poor continuity, terrible morals. I will not be buying the new book coming out this year.

2010-05-04 (santee, Ca) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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Admiral Brim battles at the front for life and freedom!
The sixth book of the Helmsman continues to follow Wilf Brim, Admiral of the Imperial Fleet in the same vein as C.S. Forrester classical works. Life and death in the Imperial Fleet is center stage upon which Baldwin builds the continuing career of Brim.

As a middle book in the series, it is prone to all of the shortcuts and assumptions a leading book does not have. But to fans of the Helmsman series this provides more of the same excitement and facination of the originals. Though some of the descriptions have now been used at least six times previously, one can skim over them and continue to watch as Wilf Brim fights for right, and his daughter.

A good progression of the Helmsman series with some mature descriptions of Wilf's love life. Probably a pretty boring book for anyone not already familiar and anxious to see how Wilf Brim lives his live 'In Harms Way"

1997-05-03 | Helpful Votes: 4 | Rating: 3

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The Defiance (Helmsman Series , No 7)

Description

Admiral Wolf Brim's new assignment to secure the space lanes between Hador-Haelic and the Pentad asteroids of Gontor will enable the Empire to launch Operation Spark, a massive invasion to free Occupied Fluvanna, thus ensuring the Empire's remaining source of faster-than-light travel fuel.

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Customer Reviews

POOR, POOR, POOR
I waited to start this series until I had the first 7 books. I thought I had something after reading the first one. Not so. Brim was a great character to start with but goes down hill after book 1 I guess Baldwin turns him into what Baldwin secretly wants too be, a Lothario who gets all the beautiful, big breasted women including wives plus the action becomes very predictable and unvaried. Brim flies, fights, takes a lot of damage, kills a lot of bad guys and a lot of his crews.
Very uneven, poor continuity, terrible morals. I will not be buying the new book coming out this year.

2010-05-04 (santee, Ca) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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Helmsman Series , No 7
I was thoroughly disappointed with this book.

First, the switch from 3rd person to 1st person was annoying. It broke the continuity and made it feel like I was starting a new series.

Second, while this started in the earlier books, Wilf completed his transformation from a John Waynish hero-type into a guy who has no problem sleeping with married women. He's not likable anymore. Having his brain "hanging between his legs" was amusing when the character was in his twenties. Now that he's supposed to be in his forties and still can't control himself paints a picture of depravity. In addition, he never seems to get any wiser to the world around him.

Overall, I got the impression that Baldwin was sick of writing these stories and tried to wrap it up quickly and with as much sex as possible. Characters that Brim "loved" at the end of one book were never heard from again in the next and the conclusions to subplots were disappointing at best.

Were it not for the fact that Brim slept with practically every female in the series, I'd at least say that the first half of the series was entertaining enough for teenage space opera, but not much else.

2005-09-28 (Vermont) | Helpful Votes: 5 | Rating: 2

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a future cover of WW1 and 2
I don't want to say I was disappointed, I thought that maybe, just maybe Wilf would catch a break, but in the end he loses. I am not sure I want the series to go on because he never catches a break. The series was interesting as it followed the end of WW1, the time in between and into WW2 with future weapons the bears as the russians,the empire as germany with there own SS in controllers,the imperials as the British Starfuries being spitfires, it goes on and on. I can't be the only one who could see it that way.

2004-12-10 | history buff (Kalamazoo Mi) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 3

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New Book
Like many of you, i have despaired being able to continue the tales of Wilf Brim. I have read these 7 books repeatedly, and basically haunted Bill Baldwin's website to get moe news. Recently, it was announced in his website that Timberwolf Press will be releasing the next book, Turning Tide, as well as re-releasing the earlier 7 books again. I cannot wait for it to be available here.

2003-02-26 (Seremban, Malaysia) | Helpful Votes: 5 | Rating: 4

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another great book in the series
Bill Baldwin keeps getting better. I really enjoy this series: I've read every one of the books many times. The books keep growing on me: each time I re-read them I find more details that I missed the previous times through. The publisher is insane not to be encouraging Baldwin to write the next six books in the series. Hopefully enough fan support will cause them to rethink this foolish decision. This series is great Space Opera: far better then the vast majority of the military sci-fi that gets published.
Other readers have complained about the change in writing style: I get so engrossed in the story that I don't even notice.
The change of technologies over the course of the stories has been particularly interesting: as a military history buff and particularly a navy buff I really enjoy this aspect of the books. I like the fact that while the big ships are no longer dominant the smaller units are still much more substantial than mere fighters: there is no carrier dominance in this universe.
I like the way Baldwin set up the character for more adventures: he's dealing with the same problem David Weber is starting to have with Honor Harrington (too much rank!) in a creative way.
I'd really like to see a Role Playing Game supplement for this universe with pictures of the ships and equipment (and maps): I've thought of running my own campaign in this universe since there's such a tremendous amount of detail in these books, but more information can't hurt (hint,hint)!

2001-11-05 | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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