Customer Reviews

The Helmsman (The Helmsman, 1)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

This book is the start of a classic, fun, SCI-FI series that you will not regret reading. The Directors cut is worth every bit for its quality, printing and layout. The story is as fun as ever, and is one of those fun books that you can read and reread again and again. It is a lot like the stories of the late Robert Heinlein, in the lines of "The Rolling Stones" and "Starship Troopers". By the time you finish, you will find you do care what happens to Wilf Ansor Brim, will he get the Princess Margot, and what will happen in the Galactic war? The story loosely follows WW1/WW2 history, with many of the grand battles, long deployments, and special missions. It has a lot of the elements of fun and adventure, where Wilf meets up with characters from every spectrum, and beats the odds. Bill Baldwin has created a wonderfully fun series, which ages well, and is well worth the investment. Give it to your kids to read, and get them hooked on reading by having fun, and going back to the days when SCI-FI was an adventure, and not always hooked on deep technical accuracy to explain everything. In the Wilf Brim universe, starships travel faster than light because they can, and Bear like people have replaced Scotty as the ever present "fix it" engineers. Get it, and have fun!!! ...

I picked this book up a little over 20 years ago. I was working a night shift and once I started reading this story I just couldn't put it down. From the very first you can't help but Cheer Wilf Brim on. As you get drawn in to the story you find yourself wanting to fight his battles with him. As Brim flies his way to glory he builds respect and friends in his travels and the respect of the royal family who see his as the greatest weapon in their fight against a tyrant bent on controling the galaxy at any cost. Be warned once you start reading you'll be on the edge of your seat. The rest of this series will hold you captive from book to book and thankfully the next in the series is almost here and all I can say is it has been a long wait.

Real science fiction, I mean not-fantasy but Real Space Opera, can't wait till the rest of the series is published as well as the new book in the series The Turning Tide is release.

I first read "The Helmsman" in 1992, and saved it because I enjoyed it so thoroughly, and am now on my second reading with even more appeciation for the author's ability to paint imaginative, and exciting mental images with his detailed descriptions of other worlds in other times. I highly recommend this book for any science fiction fan. It's full of non-stop action and excitement, placing the reader right in the middle of it all!

Merl Baldwin has written a rollicking good melodrama set in
space. Lots of adventure, excitement, a little sex, and
lots and lots of action and intrigue in the Imperial
palaces.

In this re-release of Bill Baldwin's best selling The Helmsman, Timberwolf Press kicks off the Wilf Brim series. If this first installment is any indication, the series should reach best selling status once again. The first paragraph of chapter one was so well written, I read it through three times. This man can write!

Wilf Ansor Brim - the helmsman - is a charismatic character indeed. Through intelligence, skill, and grit he has raised himself from humble beginnings to reach what to most would be an impossible goal. Determination has taken him from life in lowly Carescrian mines to one as officer of the Imperial Fleet. His courage eventually transforms him into a decorated hero of space battles, mingling with royalty in palaces of State.

Wilf Brim is a warrior with the soul of a poet. In The Helmsman, we meet his compatriots - Nik Ursis, the huge Barbousse, Capt. Collingswood - as Wilf sees his first battle action. He soon gains a reputation as one who excels at whatever he's assigned, whether it be blockade duty, ground battle, or rescuing prisoners of war. Through it all he forges strong bonds of friendship, gaining respect from peers and commanders. Oh, and his life is not all battle action all the time. Wilf finds love with Princess Margot Effer'Wyck. The beautiful royal is scheduled to marry another man, but seeks out Wilf to be her secret lover. Does she really love the commoner, or is he simply a pleasant diversion? Maybe we'll find out in future books if Wilf and Margo stay together.

The battle action is tremendous and the characters well defined. Bill Baldwin turns a fine phrase. Whether you are a sci fi genre fan or not, give this one a try.

I also first came across this book when it was first published,some 20 years ago, and have reread it probably 100 times since then. It is based on the real experiences of the world between World War One and World War Two, in fact you can easily pick out what is happening in this series, such as the Battle of Atalanta is clearly based on the Battle of Britian. But that does not distract from the enjoyment, as this series has lots of plot twists, heros and villians. But one of the great things is that many of us readers have contacted Bill the last few years and encouraged him to write more books in the series, and he was able to find a new publisher and get the series republished and a new book is coming out!

Standard space opera. That said, very well written and has a good plot that will carry for a while. I have ordered the rest of the series from Amazon (used) and will be moving them to the top of the SBR (I am reading _Galactic_Convoy_ now).

Note: I purchased the used book on Amazon. There is an updated book from the author for $17.95 which was a little pricey for me/

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.