Very interesting story of space adventurer who, forced by events, becomes a Space Viking, a raider of worlds, in order to lure his enemy out.

Although book is based around this conflict and main characters work on bringing the world of Tanith from the barbarism to civilization it compares many forms of human society - from the very rural cultures of Tanith (medieval level society), 20th century democratic-states-organized world of Amaterasu to more advanced civilization on Beowulf (very similar to Amaterasu, democratic society but with planet level government) and Marduk (planetary level constitutional monarchy)(btw all places in question are planets where action takes place).

Very interesting views on what is ideal of society and what really means to be civilized.

Good book, slightly archaic language may repel some readers but my advice is to read on - you'll enjoy it. ( )

Entertaining space opera, making some clumsy and some interesting comparisons with 'old terrran' history. ( )

I read this book in paperback, probably first in the 1970's, and again possibly twice. It is a classic of interstellar warfare and raiding, well plotted, exciting, but the prose, as I grow older, is noticeably simpler, the characters less rich, and the philosophy juvenile. I re-read it recently, a thoroughly enjoyable experience, after searching out a hardcover edition. Is a feudal government the best kind - unlikely, but interesting to contemplate ( )

This story is in the genre of Space Opera, or even what is now called YA, though when Piper wrote it was most likely called Juvenile Fiction. It stays in print, people buy it, people reread it. I have read it virtually every other year for nearly thirty years. Not that it is great literature, but that it is a fun read. There are bad guys and good guys, quests, and evil deeds.

Along the way we are treated to what piper often does in the Terro-Human Federation stories, and that is get a glimpse of great political and economic theories at work. That the story spans many years shows how these forces work within the context so that gives us more than the hero who just swashbuckles through a story of derringdo. Our hero witnesses and influences the end of a the galactic dark ages and a new renaissance.

Piper committed suicide and left us without more. This book has always been in search of a sequel for though complete, Piper has left us wanting so much more. Recommending this book, I have read it fifteen to twenty times. I think it is good and always worth returning too. ( )

Again, one of the first books I ever read-- the cover was the reason I opened it up. The technology and writing is adequate- if juvenile--, but not timeless. They use Sliderules and paper to compute hyperspace jumps!!! Yet still, it's a classic Space Pirate story if there ever was. ( )