It's hard to give peace a chance when the other side regards conquest as the only option and a sneak attack as the best means to that end. That's why the Kingdom of Manticore needs allies against the Republic of Havena "and the planet Grayson is strategically situated to make a very good ally indeed. But Her Majestya (TM)s Foreign Office overlooked a a oeminor cultural differencea when they chose Honor Harrington to carry the flag: women on the planet of Grayson are without rank or rights and Honora (TM)s mere presence is an intolerable affront to every male on the planet. At first Honor doesna (TM)t take it personally; where she comes from gender discrimination is barely a historical memory, right up there in significance with fear of the left-handed. But in time such treatment becomes taxing and she makes plans to withdraw until Graysona (TM)s fratricidal sister planet attacks without warning. Now, Honor must stay and prevail, not just for her honor, but for her sovereigna (TM)s, for the honor of the Queen. "Following in the best tradition of C.S. Forester, Patrick O'Brian and Robert A Heinlein These hugely entertaining and clever adventures are the very epitome of space opera."a "Publishers Weekly