Steve White’s first novels were military science fiction collaborations with David WEBER—a trilogy
consisting of Insurrection (1990), Crusade (1992),
and In Death Ground (1997). White began a solo
series with The Disinherited (1993), in which a
party of apparently friendly aliens arrive on Earth
warning of a more bellicose race moving in our direction. Unfortunately, a relaxation of tensions and
budget constraints on Earth have led to the virtual
elimination of space defenses, and humanity seems
unable to defend itself. Legacy (1995) continues
the story, complicating matters by adding time
travel to the mix. The story concludes with Debt of
Ages (1995), in which space forces from the future
contact King Arthur’s Britain.
Prince of Sunset (1998) began a new sequence
that bears some superficial similarity to the
FLANDRY SERIES by Poul ANDERSON. The human
interstellar empire has grown soft and vulnerable,
and a conspiracy is underway to overthrow the old
order with a new, more rigid government that will
suppress some of the existing human freedoms. A
handful of young military graduates play a crucial
role in thwarting these revolutionary ambitions.
Emperor of Dawn (1999) is set after several generations have passed and the old fright has died down.
The current emperor is a weak man whose inattention threatens a repeat of history, tempting another
group of would-be despots into plotting a new order
with themselves on top. White seems to imply that
the best form of government for humans is a benevolent one imposed by a strong authority figure.
Eagle Against the Stars (2000) has assertive aliens
arriving on Earth and imposing their will by means
of what they call free trade but what is actually
an imperialistic device. Readers will not be surprised when resourceful humans figure out a way to
beat them at their own game. White’s most recent
novel is another collaboration with David Weber,
The Shiva Option (2002), a fast-paced panoramic
story of interstellar warfare. White is at his best
when writing action sequences, and at his weakest
in describing political structures, which are often
simplistic and unconvincing.