This is an anthology of three short stories and a host of technical information (non-story, but about the story universe). The first story is a precursor to one of the David Weber spin-off series about Stephanie Harrington, Honor semi-famous ancestor who was first to befriend a tree cat. I found the story wonderful and it was one of those rare tales that was something I could share with my daughter. Tree cats, an 11 year old girl, and a mystery over celery and an adventure on a wilderness world. What more could you ask for. The second story, by David Drake, another space opera veteran, was also wonderful, but different. Drake's style is very similar to Weber's and the story blends well with the Honor-verse. The third story is actually the untold story of a coup attempt in the Peoples Republic of Haven. The event is referenced with scant details in the long Honor Harrington Series and told in greater detail here. The stile is slightly different than Weber's, darker, smoother and highlights a wonderful thing about the Honor-verse that Weber (with collaboration from others) has created.Weber's "Honor-verse" has room for other great writers to share. The stories from others, like Drake, aren't outside the main story. Where he can, Weber includes their work and allows it to influence his. The reason I stopped reading the first book of the Crown of Slaves trilogy is because it is about a character started by David Drake in a short story in the third anthology. Rather than re-telling it, Weber simply referred to it. I became frustrated looking for the character and where they came from until I found a wiki-Weber-info website that tracked down the story. That highlights one of the few problems with the Honor-verse and all of the stories. I really, really like the way Weber has all of the story plots intertwined with his main Honor Harrington story. I like the spin offs and thse short stories are fabulous for sci-fi shorts. The problem is that they do not fit together seamlessly. The first book might fit in between Honor 8 and 9 of a trilogy and then overlap the next two honor books. The stories use the short stories as background info and setting, or even as fodder for characters but that's hard to track down and requires extra effort to keep straight. Still these are three excellent short stories. You do not have to read any other story to enjoy them. (More the other way around.) I recommend them to anyone who enjoys short sci-fi stories. (Especially the first one.)
This book contains 3 short stories that take place in the "Honorverse". The first by David Weber is "A Beautiful Friendship" It recounts the story of the first bonding between a Treecat and a human. The human was Stephanine Harrington, an early relative of Honor Harrington.The second story is "A Grand Tour" by David Drake. It tells the tale of a conflict between the "Peeps" and a retired Manticorian Navel Officer. This story read much like a Lt. Leary story.The third story by S.M. Stirling is "A Whiff Of Grapeshot". This story provides the background on Esther McQueen's fateful decision in the attack of the Levelers against the Committee of Public Safety in Nouveau Paris.And finally David Weber's "The Universe of Honor Harrington" is a very interesting behind the scenes look of the nuts and bolts: from Warshawski sails to the History of Manticore; The House of Winton to The Solarian League and much more.
Do You like book More Than Honor (1998)?
A book I will advise others to skip as only the first short story is worth a read and that has been released as a standalone book . The rest of the three stories are not worth reading. 1.tA Beautiful Friendship by David WeberLoved it .The story introduces us to tree cats and the way the relationship forms with Stephanine is very well portrayed. One will instantly fall in love with both the protagonist - the girl and the cat. The plot and pace of story is just perfect. It’s a story full of adventure, emotions, uncertainty and discoveries. One of the best story from Honorverse. (5/5)2.tA Grand Tour by David DrakeThe story didn't seem to fit in the Honorverse at all. Also it seem so stupid for being a Sci-Fi story, the discrepancy in technology was far too much. One of the most pointless stories I have read (1/5)3.tA Whiff of Grapeshot by S. M. StirlingI didn't enjoy the writing style. The plot seems perfect for Honorverse and fits in perfectly but the charisma I have come to expect from Honorverse stories was missing. What Weber does for Honor, Sterling was unable to do for Esther McQueen's. (2/5)4.tThe Universe of Honor Harrington by David WeberLot of technical information on how space travel began and the establishment of Manticore Government. Most of the stuff which is enjoyable is already dumped in other books of the series and rest of the too technical stuff are just plain boring. I just skimp over all the pages.(1/5)
—Mayank Agarwal
Following the Honor Harrington stories in chronological order, these are back stories for On Basilisk Station, the first Honor Harrington novel.1. The Universe of Honor Harrington by David Weber2. A Beautiful Friendship by David Weber (Stephanie Harrington is the first human to bond with a treecat)15. A Grand Tour by David Drake (follows The Short Victorious War; has the flavor of a Lt. Leary story rather than Hammer Slammers)21. A Whiff of Grapeshot by S. M. Stirling (follows Honor Among Enemies; an attempted coup on Haven)
—Bill
the first story was a great look at how treecat and human societies came to be linked.the second story was so awful I couldn't finish it.the third story tells about events on haven that were referenced in other hh novels and was a very good read.the appendix contains a wealth of information, much of which had been printed in earlier novels.I recommend skimming this section for parts that interest you.even for the most die-hard honor fan, this anthology is not worth owning, so I recommend interested readers to use their local libraries.
—Carl Bussema
