David Weber
science fiction and fantasy author.
In his stories, he creates a consistent and rationally explained technology and society. Even when dealing with fantasy themes, the magical powers are treated like another technology with supporting rational laws and principles.
Many of his stories have militaristic, particularly naval, themes, and fit into the Military science fiction genre. He challenges current gender roles in the military by assuming that a gender-neutral military service will exist in his futures. As he often places female leading characters in what have previously been seen as traditionally male roles, he is able to explore the challenges faced by women in the military and politics.
His most enduring character is Honor Harrington whose story, together with the "Honorverse" she populates, has been developed in 11 novels, and four shared universe anthologies, as of spring 2004.
Published Works
Many of Webers' books are available online, either in their entirety as part of the 'Baen Free Library' or, in the case of more recent books, in the form of sample chapters (typically the first 25 or 33% of the book). Where the links below include '/library/' in the URL, they are the whole text of the book. Webers' publisher, Baen Books, is a pioneer in the sale of books in various electronic formats and all the linked titles below can be downloaded for payment when they are not available for free.
The hardback edition of War of Honor contained "The Honorverse CD", which amongst other things held electronic copies of the entire series to that point. The CD label explicitly states that the contents are freely distributable and the CD itself has been mirrored on various web-sites. This CD was only the first: there have now been four other releases.
Links are to online copies of the books at two sites run by
Baen Books:
baen.com and
webscription.net, except upcoming books which are hosted at
jiltanith.thefifthimperium.com courtesy of Steve White
