At All Costs

At All Costs

Infobox Book |
name = At All Costs


image_caption =
author = David Weber
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Honor Harrington series
subject =
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher =
release_date = 2005
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = ISBN 1-4165-0911-9
preceded_by = War of Honor
followed_by =

"At All Costs" is David Weber's eleventh Honor Harrington novel.

Plot summary

Due to the actions of the High Ridge government in "War of Honor", which led to a successful attack on key Alliance shipyards by the Republic of Haven, the Star Kingdom of Manticore finds itself decidedly on the short end of the strategic balance between the two warring star nations. Admiral Honor Harrington is placed in command of Eighth Fleet, the Manticoran Alliance's primary offensive force, which is the sole heavy formation available for operations against Haven. Queen Elizabeth and her senior advisors project it will be at least two "T-years" (Earth years) before they can expect any significant numbers of new construction to begin bolstering their thin wall of battle; this while Haven's progress under Admirals Theisman and Foraker have given them an even larger force advantage, and smaller technological disparity, than Haven suffered before the beginning of hostilities in "Short Victorious War".

Strategically, the goal of Honor and Eighth Fleet is to instill enough operational caution and sensitivity to losses in Haven to force redeployments; this would have the desperately needed effect of reducing the available number of ships of the wall Haven would then be able to concentrate for offensive action against the Star Kingdom and its allies. Despite the grave circumstances, the Star Kingdom finds itself spread dangerously thin against its security commitments; to itself and the Alliance. "At All Costs" climaxes with the largest and most critical battle of the entire series, as Havenite forces attack the Manticoran home star system.

Honor continues to work closely with Hamish Alexander, now First Lord of the Admiralty, on the military and political challenges facing the Alliance. Their professional respect for each others' abilities, and their need for mutual support as they navigate the precarious political landscape in the Star Kingdom, has led them into the very romantic embrace the High Ridge government tried to insinuate during "War of Honor". While this is not the dire political crisis it was during the prior Star Kingdom government, it still offers numerous personal and professional difficulties for them. Unfortunately, they find themselves trapped between their emotions and their responsibilities to each other, to the loved ones in their lives, and to the Star Kingdom and the Alliance.

Commentary

Most of the action takes place simultaneously with the events of The Shadow of Saganami. In addition to Manticore, Haven, and Grayson, front stage players (even those lurking in the wings of the stage) now include the Andermani, which have entered the Manticorian Alliance; the genetic slavers of Mesa, secretly striving to keep Manticore and Haven shooting at each other as long as possible; non-self absorbed elements of the Solarian League continuing the inexorable and glacier creep of League influence ; and the inhabitants of the Talbot Cluster, clamoring for membership in the Star Kingdom after discovering the new Manticore Junction terminus in their region of space.

The book was released in hardcover in 2005 (with a CD-ROM containing free copies of other works written by Weber). Advanced Reader Copies were made available for sale at [http://baen.com baen.com] some months previously, with a sizable portion of the book being 'snippetted' on Baen's Bar for free.

Trivia

In conference, Admiral Thomas Caparelli tells Honor that Hamish has compared her favorably to theOld Earth "wet-navy" Admirals Raphael Semmes and Bill Halsey. Hamish said Honor had "marginally better tactical sense than Semmes and better strategic sense than Halsey." Semmes is remembered for his strategy and Halsey for his tactics, and Honor knows this.

Author David Weber has stated that he intended many of the events of this book to end differently and have this book end the initial story, the second part would begin in another 20 years as a new generation ages. With the introduction of Mesa and the Solarian League issues, many plot elements intended for the new series remove the need to add a new generation.

David Weber has stated his original plan was to have Honor in charge of the 3rd fleet during the final battle, and perish during the battle. Her son, then would have had his own series start as he came of age, at which point the Solarian League begins its break up, and a long war begins. [ [http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/SS.EMS/DavidWeber.pdf An Authorial Note] . David Weber.]

References

External links

* [http://www.baen.com/chapters/W200511/1416509119.htm?blurb First five chapters of the book, from the Baen Free Library]

succession
office=Honor Harrington books
preceded="War of Honor"
succeeded="none"


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • at all costs — adverb regardless of the cost involved he wanted to save her life at all cost • Syn: ↑at any cost, ↑at any expense * * * at all costs or at any cost No matter what the cost or consequences may be (also (old) cost what may) • • • Main Entry: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • at all costs — {adv. phr.} At any expense of time, effort, or money. Regardless of the results. * /Mr. Jackson intended to save his son s eyesight at all costs./ * /Carl is determined to succeed in his new job at all costs./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • at all costs — {adv. phr.} At any expense of time, effort, or money. Regardless of the results. * /Mr. Jackson intended to save his son s eyesight at all costs./ * /Carl is determined to succeed in his new job at all costs./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • at all costs — if something must be done or avoided at all costs, it must be done or avoided whatever happens. The only other option is working on Saturdays which is something I want to avoid at all costs. He appears to have decided that he must stay in power… …   New idioms dictionary

  • at\ all\ costs — adv. phr. At any expense of time, effort, or money. Regardless of the results. Mr. Jackson intended to save his son s eyesight at all costs. Carl is determined to succeed in his new job at all costs …   Словарь американских идиом

  • at all costs —    If you are determined to obtain or achieve something at all costs, you want it regardless of the expense, effort or sacrifice involved.     The journalist was determined at all costs to get a report from the war zone …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • at all costs — phrasal regardless of the cost or consequences < was determined to win at all costs > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • at all costs — adverb Absolutely imperative. Sparing no effort. We have to retain the majority at all costs …   Wiktionary

  • at all costs — or at any cost used for saying that something must be done, however difficult it is or however much damage it causes She was determined to win at any cost …   English dictionary

  • at all costs — ► at all costs (or at any cost) regardless of the price or the effort needed. Main Entry: ↑cost …   English terms dictionary

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