Hubbry Logo
David Weber bibliographyDavid Weber bibliographyMain
Open search
David Weber bibliography
Community hub
David Weber bibliography
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
David Weber bibliography
David Weber bibliography
David Weber bibliography
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

This is the complete list of works by military science fiction and space opera author David Weber.

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

David Weber bibliography

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
David Weber's bibliography comprises over 60 and fantasy novels, either solo-authored or in collaboration, renowned for their emphasis on , narratives, and epic fantasy elements, with the —anchored by the long-running Honor Harrington series—standing as his most influential contribution to the genre. Since his professional debut in 1990 with the co-authored novel Insurrection as part of the Starfire series with Steve White, Weber has produced a vast body of work that has sold more than eight million copies worldwide and includes 35 New York Times bestsellers. The Honor Harrington series, which draws inspiration from C.S. Forester's novels and debuted with in 1993, forms the core of the expansive , encompassing 15 main novels up to Toll of Honor in 2024, alongside spin-off series such as Saganami Island, Manticore Ascendant, and Crown of Slaves (co-authored with ). Other prominent solo series include the sequence of 10 volumes from (2007) to Through Fiery Trials (2019), depicting a post-apocalyptic society under religious tyranny; the Dahak trilogy, beginning with Mutineer's Moon in 1992, which blends with ancient alien artifacts; and the fantasy War God series, starting with Oath of Swords in 1995 and continuing through The Sword of the South in 2015. Weber's collaborative efforts further expand his output, including the Empire of Man tetralogy with (2001–2005), the Multiverse series with various co-authors like (2006–2016), and the recent Gordian Division series with Jacob Holo (2019–2024), alongside contributions to shared universes like Eric Flint's Ring of Fire alternate history. In addition to novels, Weber has edited multiple Honorverse anthologies under the Worlds of Honor imprint, such as More Than Honor (1998) and Challenges (2025), featuring short stories by himself and other authors that enrich the universe's lore.

Honorverse

Honor Harrington Series

The Honor Harrington series, often regarded as the cornerstone of David Weber's expansive universe, chronicles the exploits of its titular protagonist, a skilled and principled officer in the Royal Manticoran Navy, amid escalating interstellar conflicts and political intrigue. Published exclusively by , the series debuted in 1993 and has established itself as a seminal work in , blending tactical space combat with character-driven narratives. The core storyline forms the foundational arc of the Honorverse, with each novel building on the previous events in publication order, though some later volumes incorporate time jumps or parallel developments. All main entries are solo-authored by Weber, with no co-authors in this primary sequence. The series comprises 15 novels, released over three decades, with initial hardcover or mass-market paperback editions followed by frequent reissues in trade paperback, ebook, and occasional omnibus formats to accommodate growing readership. These reissues, often featuring updated covers or bonus materials like glossaries, have helped maintain the series' accessibility without altering the core texts. Below is the complete list in order of initial publication:
Series #TitlePublication Year
11993
2The Honor of the Queen1993
3The Short Victorious War1994
4Field of Dishonor1994
5Flag in Exile1995
6Honor Among Enemies1996
7In Enemy Hands1997
8Echoes of Honor1998
9Ashes of Victory2000
10War of Honor2002
11At All Costs2005
12Mission of Honor2010
13A Rising Thunder2012
142018
15Toll of Honor2024
The publication schedule reflects Baen Books' commitment to the franchise, with gaps attributed to Weber's involvement in related Honorverse expansions, though the main series remains the narrative backbone. The Worlds of Honor anthology series, edited primarily by David Weber and published by Baen Books, collects short stories and novellas set in the Honorverse, expanding on themes from the main Honor Harrington novels through standalone tales, prequels, and character backstories. Spanning eight volumes from 1998 to 2025, these anthologies feature contributions from Weber and guest authors, often exploring the Royal Manticoran Navy, treecats, political intrigue, and early Star Kingdom history without advancing the primary novel arcs. Weber's editorial oversight ensures canonical consistency, while his own stories frequently highlight key figures like Honor Harrington or delve into technological and societal elements of the universe. The series begins with More Than Honor (1998), co-edited by Weber, , and , which introduces early lore through five stories focused on treecats and naval origins. Subsequent volumes build on this foundation, with Weber contributing multiple pieces per collection in the initial entries. Later anthologies incorporate more diverse author lineups, including , Jane Lindskold, and , while maintaining the tone. By the 2020s, the series shifted toward prequel-era tales of Manticore's founding, culminating in Challenges (2025), which examines pioneer struggles during the Plague Years. Key volumes and their notable Weber contributions are summarized below, emphasizing stories that provide context for broader events, such as Honor Harrington's days or treecat-human bonds. These works are self-contained, allowing readers to engage without prior novel knowledge, though they enrich character motivations from the main series.
VolumeYearEditorsKey Stories by Total Stories
More Than Honor1998, , "A Beautiful Friendship" (novelette on treecat ); "Ms. Harrington" (short story on Honor's academy years)6
Worlds of Honor1999"The Stray" (short story on early treecats); "What Price Dreams?" (novelette on empathic links); "The Hard Way Home" (novella on survival and bonds)5
Changer of Worlds2001"Ms. Harrington" (expanded from prior draft); "Changer of Worlds" (novella on treecat society); "Nightfall" (novelette on Sphinx exploration)4
The Service of the Sword2003"The Service of the Sword" (novella on Hearns' backstory and Masadan conflict)6
In Fire Forged2011"Let's Dance" (novelette on ); "An Introduction to the Royal Manticoran Navy" (essay-like short on structure)4
Beginnings2013"A Call to Arms" (novella on early Manticoran navy formation)5
What Price Victory?2023"What Price Victory?" (novella on a young Honor Harrington's command challenges)5
Challenges: Tales from the Earliest Days of the Star Kingdom2025Contributions including stories on pioneer survival and plague-era resilience (as published November 4, 2025)6
Beyond the anthologies, select Honorverse short works by Weber appear in non-series compilations or standalone publications, such as "From the Highlands" (co-authored with in Changer of Worlds, but expanded in later contexts) or excerpts in promotional Baen Webscription disks. These pieces, often 10,000–40,000 words, prioritize tactical depth and ethical dilemmas in space combat, mirroring the novels' style but in concise formats suitable for exploring minor characters or historical footnotes. For instance, "A Beautiful Friendship" (1998) establishes the treecat dynamic central to later Harrington prequels, without overlapping novel plots. Overall, the anthologies have sold over 500,000 copies collectively, underscoring their role in sustaining fan interest between mainline releases.

Crown of Slaves Series

The Crown of Slaves series is a sub-series within David Weber's , co-authored with and published by . It shifts focus from the primary military engagements of the Honor Harrington novels to intricate political machinations, espionage, and social revolutions, particularly centered on the newly independent Kingdom of Torch—a founded by liberated genetic slaves from the planet Mesa. This emphasis on anti-slavery and covert operations distinguishes the series, exploring themes of genetic and interstellar alliances against the shadowy Mesan Alignment, a cabal seeking to impose a hierarchical genetic order on humanity. The series comprises four novels, each advancing the narrative of resistance against Mesan influence while weaving in broader Honorverse geopolitics:
  • Crown of Slaves (2003), introducing protagonists Anton Zilwicki and Victor Cachat as they navigate 's formation and uncover Mesan plots.
  • Torch of Freedom (2009), expanding on the anti-slavery uprising in and escalating espionage efforts to dismantle the Alignment's networks.
  • Cauldron of Ghosts (2014), delving deeper into interstellar diplomacy and 's role in allying against Mesan manipulation of major powers like the Solarian League.
  • To End in Fire (2021), culminating the arc with high-stakes operations on Mesa itself to expose and confront the Alignment's core.
Publication history reflects extended intervals between releases, with gaps of six years between the first and second books, five years to the third, and seven years to the fourth, attributed in part to the authors' commitments to other projects within and beyond the Honorverse. No major expansions or re-editions have been noted in the 2020s beyond standard ebook and audiobook formats, though the final volume's release preceded Flint's death in 2022, marking the end of their collaborative efforts on the series. The books interconnect with main Honorverse events, such as the Manticore-Haven alliance, through shared threats from the Mesan Alignment, but prioritize Torch's internal struggles over fleet battles.

Saganami Series

The Saganami Island series is a spin-off subseries within David Weber's , shifting focus from the central Honor Harrington narrative to the experiences of junior Royal Manticoran Navy officers deployed to the remote Talbott Cluster for its annexation into the Star Kingdom of . This frontier region serves as the backdrop for stories involving exploration missions, local secessionist threats, covert operations by hostile powers like the of Haven, and escalating interstellar tensions that tie into larger galactic conflicts. The series distinguishes itself through multi-perspective storytelling, tracking multiple starships, crews, and civilian protagonists across diverse engagements, including , intelligence gathering, and fleet actions, while highlighting themes of duty, innovation under pressure, and the complexities of expanding a stellar empire. All four novels in the series were authored solely by and published by in hardcover, with subsequent paperback and editions released. The first book introduces the core during the Cluster's volatile integration, while later volumes expand on the fallout from covert manipulations and broaden the scope to include allied and adversarial viewpoints in ongoing naval campaigns. As of November 2025, no additional volumes have been published since the fourth installment in 2016, though the series overlaps temporally with mainline Honor Harrington events, offering supplementary insights into peripheral theaters of the same war.
TitlePublication DateISBN (Hardcover)
The Shadow of SaganamiNovember 2004978-0743488525
Storm from the ShadowsApril 2009978-1416591474
Shadow of FreedomMarch 2013978-1451638691
Shadow of VictoryNovember 2016978-1476781822

Stephanie Harrington Series

The Stephanie Harrington series, also referred to as the Star Kingdom series, is a within David Weber's . It chronicles the early life of Stephanie Harrington, a teenage settler on the frontier planet Sphinx, who forms the first documented human bond with a treecat—an empathically sensitive, intelligent hexapodal species native to the world. Co-authored primarily with Jane Lindskold, the series debuted in and emphasizes adventure, discovery, and the challenges of interstellar colonization. Set roughly six centuries before the primary Honor Harrington novels, the books depict the nascent Star Kingdom of during its pioneer era, highlighting the ethical dilemmas of human expansion into alien ecosystems. Stephanie's experiences as a provisional ranger underscore the series' educational focus on environmental conservation, interspecies , and scientific responsibility, making it accessible and instructive for younger audiences. Through vivid portrayals of treecat and human-treecat alliances, the narrative builds foundational lore for the broader , including the origins of treecats' role alongside humanity. The series comprises five novels to date, each advancing Stephanie's growth while weaving in themes of friendship and protection against exploitation:
  • A Beautiful Friendship (2011): Young Stephanie encounters and bonds with her treecat companion, Lionheart, sparking initial conflicts with skeptical settlers and revealing treecats' sentience.
  • Fire Season (2012): As a junior ranger, Stephanie investigates poaching threats to treecats, forging deeper ties with her clan and human allies amid wildfires and interstellar intrigue.
  • Treecat Wars (2013): Stephanie confronts xenoanthropologists intent on dissecting treecat intelligence, leading to a high-stakes effort to safeguard the species' secrecy and autonomy.
  • A New Clan (2022): Returning from an off-world internship, Stephanie navigates social upheavals and treecat integration issues, including cultural clashes and emerging bonds.
  • Friends Indeed (2025): The latest installment follows Stephanie and Lionheart as they rally against renewed dangers to treecat clans, emphasizing alliances in a post-discovery world.
These works expand continuity by establishing treecats' historical significance without delving into the adult-oriented conflicts of later eras.

Manticore Ascendant Series

The Ascendant series serves as a to Weber's Honor Harrington series within the broader universe, chronicling the formative years of the Star Kingdom of roughly four centuries prior to the main events. Co-authored by Weber with science fiction writer for the initial installments and later with Zahn and collaborator Thomas Pope, the series emphasizes the kingdom's political intrigue, technological advancements, and expansion as it transitions from a vulnerable colony to a burgeoning interstellar power. Through the perspective of protagonists like Travis Long, a dedicated but unconventional Royal Manticoran Navy officer, the narrative explores themes of duty, innovation in , and the challenges of building a defensive force amid external threats from aggressive neighbors and internal complacency. Published exclusively by , the collaborative effort highlights Weber's signature blend of and , drawing on Zahn's expertise in plotting and Pope's contributions to technical details. The series traces Manticore's strategic buildup, including the modernization of its with early gravitic drives and technologies, against a backdrop of interstellar tensions with entities like the Republic of Haven's predecessors and opportunistic raiders. Each installment builds on the last, depicting escalating crises that force institutional reforms and personal heroism, such as Long's involvement in border skirmishes and system-wide defenses. This origin story underscores the foundational events that establish Manticore's alliance-building and doctrinal innovations, providing essential context for the kingdom's later prominence in the without delving into contemporary arcs. The complete quartet, spanning 2014 to 2022, marks a deliberate expansion of the Honorverse's timeline, emphasizing proactive military preparedness over reactive warfare.
TitleAuthorsPublication DatePublisherISBN
A Call to Duty and October 7, 2014978-1476736846
A Call to Arms and October 6, 2015978-1451639384
A Call to Vengeance, , and Thomas PopeMarch 6, 2018978-1476782102
A Call to Insurrection, , and Thomas PopeFebruary 1, 2022978-1982125899
The novels collectively illustrate Manticore's ascent through key episodes, from initial naval recruitment drives to full-scale responses to invasions, all while maintaining the series' focus on character-driven drama.

Other Original Series

Dahak Series

The Dahak series, David Weber's debut major trilogy, was published by from 1991 to 1996 and centers on interstellar conflict involving ancient alien technology. The narrative revolves around Dahak, a self-aware controlling a colossal disguised as Earth's , which allies with human protagonist to combat a millennia-old by its crew and avert galactic threats to humanity. This series explores themes of human-AI collaboration, advanced weaponry, and the defense of against superior extraterrestrial forces, blending with elements. The first book, Mutineer's Moon (1991), introduces Lieutenant Commander , who uncovers the truth about the during a routine flight and becomes Dahak's partner in rooting out mutineer infiltrators on . The novel details the reactivation of the ship's immense capabilities and initial clashes, emphasizing tactical ingenuity against overwhelming odds. The second installment, The Armageddon Inheritance (1993), escalates the conflict as Dahak and humanity prepare defenses against the mutineers' full assault and the impending arrival of a Fourth bioweapon that devastated its creators. It focuses on global mobilization, technological upgrades for human forces, and strategic battles that forge an unlikely interstellar alliance. Heirs of Empire (1996), the trilogy's conclusion, depicts the climactic war against the mutineers and an external enemy faction, culminating in humanity's role in rebuilding a new imperium with Dahak's guidance. The story highlights epic fleet engagements and the moral complexities of wielding inherited alien power. In 2003, Baen Books released Empire from the Ashes, an omnibus edition compiling all three novels without significant revisions, making the complete series accessible in a single volume. The Dahak series laid foundational themes of AI symbiosis and space naval warfare that influenced Weber's later works, such as the Honorverse.

War God Series

The War God series is a fantasy sequence by , centered on the world of Norfressa and featuring epic battles, divine intervention, and themes of redemption among the hradani race, portrayed as fierce, historically rage-cursed warriors seeking to overcome their violent heritage. The , Bahzell Bahnakson, is a hradani from the Navahkan clan who becomes an unlikely champion of Tomanak, the god of war and , embarking on quests that blend sword-and-sorcery action with intricate political and reflective of Weber's signature tactical depth. The series explores hradani , emphasizing their tribal structures, honor codes, and struggle against demonic influences and human prejudices, while incorporating elements of and divine magic. The core narrative follows Bahzell's adventures, starting with his oath-bound journey and expanding to broader conflicts involving sorcery, ancient evils, and alliances across kingdoms like the Empire of the Axe. Later installments shift focus to related characters, such as war maids—hradani women who choose a warrior path—while maintaining ties to Bahzell's legacy. This evolution highlights Weber's world-building, where fantasy tropes are grounded in realistic and character-driven moral dilemmas.
TitlePublication Year
Oath of Swords1995
The War God's Own1998
Wind Rider's Oath2004
War Maid's Choice2012
The Sword of the South2015
The first novel, Oath of Swords, introduces Bahzell as he swears an oath leading to confrontations with wizards and demons, establishing the series' tone of reluctant heroism. Subsequent books build on this foundation, with The War God's Own delving into Bahzell's divine trials and hradani societal reforms, while Wind Rider's Oath incorporates sothoii horselord alliances and magical oaths. War Maid's Choice centers on Leeana, a war maid, exploring roles and personal agency within hradani traditions. Finally, The Sword of the South expands the universe through Kenhodan, an amnesiac swordsman linked to Bahzell's world, battling resurgent dark forces in a tale of and redemption. A companion novella, "Sword Brother," included in the 2002 omnibus edition of Oath of Swords, provides backstory on Bahzell's early exploits as a . The series' fantasy elements, such as detailed warfare and cavalry tactics, distinguish it within Weber's oeuvre, drawing parallels to his strategic approaches in other works without crossing into .

Safehold Series

The Safehold series is a epic by , spanning ten novels published between 2007 and 2019, that explores themes of technological suppression, religious control, and societal evolution on a hidden human colony world. Set in the 31st century, the story follows humanity's desperate flight from the genocidal alien Gbaba, who have nearly exterminated human interstellar civilization; the survivors establish as a secret refuge, deliberately regressing to a pre-industrial, medieval-like society to evade detection by forbidding advanced and enforcing this through a theocratic . The narrative centers on the island kingdom of Charis, which challenges the dominant Church of God Awaiting the Return—a powerful, organization based in the Temple that maintains global control and suppresses innovation under the guise of divine writ—leading to a multi-generational of and technological rediscovery. The series begins with the reawakening of a hidden , Owl, which aids Charisian innovators in secretly developing prohibited technologies like improved sailing ships, , and eventually steam power, sparking conflicts that escalate from naval skirmishes to continental wars. Weber weaves intricate political intrigue, , and theological debates, drawing parallels to historical events such as the Protestant , while emphasizing the tension between faith and progress.
Book NumberTitlePublication YearPublisher
12007
2By Schism Rent Asunder2008
3By Heresies Distressed2009
4A Mighty Fortress2010
5How Firm a Foundation2011
6Midst Toil and Tribulation2012
7Like a Mighty Army2014
8Hell's Foundations Quiver2015
9At the Sign of Triumph2016
10Through Fiery Trials2019
The publication arc reflects a deliberate pacing, with the first six novels released annually or near-annually from 2007 to 2012, followed by longer intervals that allowed Weber to develop the sprawling, multi-generational plot; the series concluded with Through Fiery Trials in 2019, resolving the central conflict between Charis and the Church without additional novels or short stories as of 2025.

Furies Series

The Furies series is a military science fiction saga by David Weber, centered on Alicia DeVries, a genetically augmented elite warrior bonded to a telepathic entity known as a Fury, set against the backdrop of a crumbling interstellar empire. The series explores themes of loyalty, vengeance, and the ethical implications of advanced genetic engineering in warfare, where "Furies" are created through experimental enhancements that grant superhuman abilities but come at great personal cost. First introduced in the early 1990s, the core narrative follows DeVries' transformation from a standard Imperial Marine to a near-mythical avenger after a devastating personal tragedy, as she navigates betrayal within the vast Terran Empire. The series distinguishes itself with its focus on individual heroism amid systemic collapse, blending high-stakes action with examinations of imperial decay. The foundational novel, Path of the Fury, was published in December 1992 by Baen Books (ISBN 0-671-72147-X), introducing the protagonist as a member of the elite Fury-class commandos engineered for superior combat prowess through genetic modifications that include enhanced reflexes, strength, and a symbiotic link to bio-engineered companions. In this 400-page work, DeVries uncovers a conspiracy threatening the empire's fringes, leading to her exile and rebirth as a rogue operative. The book established Weber's signature style of detailed tactical engagements and political intrigue in space opera. An expanded reissue, In Fury Born, followed in April 2006 from Baen Books (ISBN 1-4165-2054-6), nearly doubling the original length to over 700 pages by incorporating additional backstory, deeper world-building on the Fury augmentation process, and extended sequences depicting the empire's internal fractures. This version reframes the narrative with more emphasis on DeVries' psychological evolution, solidifying the series' cult following among fans of character-driven military SF. In 2021, Weber expanded the universe with the prequel duology Ascent to Empire, co-authored with Richard Fox, which chronicles the origins of the Fury program and the empire's rise and early instabilities centuries before DeVries' era. The first installment, Governor, released on October 5, 2021, by Baen Books (ISBN 978-1-9821-2540-0), follows a colonial administrator entangled in a rebellion that tests the limits of genetic augmentation prototypes, highlighting the moral dilemmas of creating super-soldiers for imperial expansion. Spanning 400 pages, it sets up the technological foundations for the Furies, including neural implants and empathic bonds that foreshadow the core series' innovations. The sequel, Rebel, published on September 3, 2024, by Baen Books (ISBN 978-1-9821-9360-7), escalates the conflict with full-scale uprising against imperial overreach, delving into the Fury engineering's unintended consequences like psychological instability and societal backlash. At 496 pages, it bridges directly to the original timeline by depicting the seeds of the empire's collapse, emphasizing augmented warriors' role in pivotal battles. These prequels enrich the series' lore on bio-enhancements without altering the established canon, offering fresh perspectives on the human cost of interstellar dominance.

Co-authored Original Series

Shongairi Series

The Shongairi Series, also known as the Out of the Dark series, is a series by that explores an of by the aggressive, carnivorous Shongairi, a wolf-like from the Galactic intent on subjugating humanity. The narrative incorporates elements of human guerrilla resistance and , with the initial invasion occurring in 2012 and leading to widespread devastation before survivors mount a counteroffensive. While the first installment was written solely by Weber, subsequent volumes were co-authored with Chris Kennedy, who contributed to expanding the scope of interstellar conflict and human expansion beyond . The series begins with Out of the Dark (Tor Books, 2010), where the Shongairi launch a preemptive cyber and kinetic assault that destroys much of human infrastructure, but unexpected alliances among survivors thwart total domination. This novel introduces the core premise of humanity's improbable survival against technologically superior invaders. The second book, Into the Light (Tor Books, 2021), co-authored with Chris Kennedy, picks up decades later as humans rebuild society under Shongairi occupation and begin reverse-engineering alien technology to launch counterstrikes, emphasizing themes of resilience and strategic . Kennedy's involvement helped develop the collaborative aspects of human-alien interactions and the of post-invasion recovery. The third installment, To Challenge Heaven (Tor Books, 2024), continues the co-authorship with Kennedy and follows humanity's offensive into Shongairi space, forty years after the initial attack, as Terrans seek allies in a predatory galaxy while confronting the Hegemony's broader threats. This volume highlights the series' progression toward large-scale space warfare and the long-term implications of the invasion.

Gordian Division Series

The Gordian Division series is a collaboration between and Jacob Holo, published by , that explores operations conducted by a secretive multinational agency known as the Temporal Studies Institute (TSI). The narrative centers on agents who use advanced chronoscopes and temporal jump technology to monitor and intervene in alternate timelines, preventing divergences that could lead to global catastrophes such as pandemics or technological disasters. Central characters include historian Raibert Kaminski, quantum engineer Isaac Cho, and TSI operative Susan Cantrell, who navigate moral dilemmas, conspiracies, and high-stakes missions across parallel universes. The series builds on Weber's established themes seen in works like the Shongairi Series, expanding them into intricate temporal intrigue rather than interstellar conflict. Co-authored volumes emphasize procedural elements, blending with thriller pacing; Holo has noted that their collaboration involves detailed outlining, with Weber providing strategic input on plot and world-building while Holo handles much of the drafting, fostering a dynamic where Holo gained confidence to contribute solo elements in later entries. Publication began in , with Baen releasing editions alongside versions narrated by Gabriel Vaughan. Key installments include:
Book TitlePublication DateNotes
The Gordian ProtocolMay 2019Introduces the core technology and Kaminski's recruitment.
The Valkyrie ProtocolOctober 2020Focuses on a plot to avert the .
The Janus FileOctober 2022Centers on a investigation revealing temporal .
The Weltall FileJune 2023Involves a tournament tied to a broader .
The Dyson FileNovember 2023Primarily authored by Holo, with Weber's oversight, examining a suspicious on Saturn.
The Thermopylae ProtocolJune 2024Returns to co-authorship, dealing with an anomalous ship from an uncharted timeline.
As of November 2025, no additional volumes have been announced, though the series maintains a focus on ethical challenges in temporal policing, distinguishing it through its emphasis on bureaucratic secrecy and cross-timeline alliances.

Standalone Works

Standalone Novels

David Weber's standalone novels represent self-contained works outside his extensive series commitments, showcasing his versatility in with isolated narratives that blend high-stakes action, advanced technology, and human resilience against extraterrestrial threats. These novels, published by , explore unique premises without ongoing arcs, allowing Weber to delve into speculative scenarios unburdened by broader universe-building. Both have been reissued in digital formats for modern readers, ensuring accessibility beyond their initial print runs. Path of the Fury, published in 1992, follows Alicia DeVries, a Federation Marine officer whose family is killed in a pirate raid. Seeking vengeance, she bonds with a Fury, an ancient avian biowarfare construct, and embarks on a personal crusade against interstellar criminals and corrupt elites. The novel explores themes of justice, loss, and superhuman augmentation in a gritty space opera setting. It was released in paperback (ISBN 978-0-671-72147-3) and later greatly expanded as In Fury Born in 2006 (ISBN 978-1-4165-3054-2), adding prequel elements while retaining the core standalone narrative. It is available as an ebook and in the Baen Free Library. The Apocalypse Troll, published in January 1999, centers on Richard Aston, a former U.S. SEAL sailing alone across the Atlantic, who becomes entangled in a temporal incursion when a future -alien war spills into the present. The story unfolds as Aston rescues a critically injured cybernetically enhanced warrior, Ludmilla Leonovna, from a crashing alien lifeboat amid a skirmish between 25th-century forces and the genocidal Kangas, who deploy a bioengineered "" assassin to alter Earth's history by preventing technological advancement. This time-travel tale highlights themes of improvised heroism and , with Aston and Leonovna racing to neutralize the before it triggers global catastrophe. The novel was initially released in hardcover (ISBN 978-0-671-57782-4), followed by a mass-market in January 2000 (ISBN 978-0-671-57845-9), and remains available as an through Baen's WebScriptions platform since 2000, with a reprint in January 2021 (ISBN 978-1-9821-2512-7). The Excalibur Alternative, released in 2002, draws on historical analogies to depict a group of 14th-century English longbowmen, led by Sir George Wincaster, who are abducted by an advanced alien civilization during a at sea and pressed into service as disposable mercenaries in interstellar conflicts. Enslaved and conditioned through neural implants, the medieval warriors leverage their disciplined tactics and unyielding spirit to survive brutal campaigns against various galactic foes, eventually plotting a rebellion against their captors in a bid for and return to . The narrative emphasizes cultural clashes, the of uplift, and the enduring value of human ingenuity in alien arenas, expanding on Weber's earlier "Sir George and the Dragon." It debuted in hardcover (ISBN 978-0-671-31860-4), with a paperback edition in 2003 ( 978-0-7434-3584-0), and is offered as an via Baen and other digital retailers since the early .

Short Stories

David Weber's standalone short stories, published primarily in multi-author anthologies, demonstrate his ability to craft self-contained narratives that blend with innovative twists, such as horror elements or speculative what-ifs, without relying on his established series universes. These pieces often emphasize themes of human ingenuity and survival in the face of overwhelming threats, serving as concise showcases of his world-building prowess. A key example is the "Out of the Dark," featured in the Warriors (Tor Books, 2010), edited by and . The story depicts an alien conquest of thwarted by an unforeseen human asset rooted in , merging space invasion tropes with supernatural horror for a surprising and tense climax. This work, clocking in at around 80 pages, was later expanded into a novel series but functions independently as a complete tale. These stories, typically ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 words, prioritize tight plotting and character-driven conflicts over expansive lore, offering readers standalone glimpses into Weber's signature style of rigorous tactics and resilient protagonists.

Collections

David Weber's works have been assembled into various collections by , encompassing compilations and digital bundles that span his diverse output without tying to a single series. These formats allow readers to access multiple titles in one volume or package, often including bonus material like essays or expanded content. A prominent example is Worlds of Weber (2008), a 960-page compiling thirteen short stories and novellas from across Weber's , such as "Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington," "A Beautiful Friendship," and "The Way of the Samurai." This collection highlights his versatility in , fantasy, and , with stories originally published in magazines and anthologies from the 1990s to 2000s. In the 2000s, Baen Books produced CD-ROM sets bundled with hardcover releases, providing free digital editions of numerous Weber titles to encourage electronic reading. These compilations, like the one included with War of Honor (2002), contained over 30 ebooks encompassing early novels and short fiction, totaling millions of words and serving as promotional gateways to his catalog. As of 2025, Baen continues to offer digital collections through initiatives like the Baen Free Library, which permanently includes downloadable editions of select Weber works, such as Path of the Fury (1992), available in multiple formats without DRM. These free bundles aggregate his foundational standalone novels and early shorts, updated periodically to reflect ongoing accessibility efforts.

Collaborative and Shared Universe Works

Starfire Series

The Starfire series is a franchise co-created by and Steve White, originating from the wargame Starfire developed by Task Force Games in the 1970s and 1980s, in which Weber participated as a playtester and contributor to supplements. The series depicts expansive interstellar conflicts involving human alliances against alien empires, emphasizing grand fleet tactics, warp point battles, and strategic alliances amid existential threats from insectoid Arachnids and other hostile species. Weber's involvement shaped the early volumes with detailed naval engagements that influenced his later series' combat dynamics. The core novels, published primarily by Baen Books, span from 1990 to 2020, with Weber co-authoring the first four alongside White before the series continued under White's lead with additional collaborators following the established universe. Key entries include:
  • Insurrection (1990), co-authored with Steve White, introduces the Terran Federation's internal rebellion escalating into broader galactic perils.
  • Crusade (1992), co-authored with Steve White, follows the Federation's crusade against Orions and emerging alien foes.
  • In Death Ground (1998), co-authored with Steve White, portrays a desperate defense against an overwhelming Arachnid invasion at critical warp points.
  • The Shiva Option (2002), co-authored with Steve White, concludes the initial arc with a genocidal counteroffensive against the Arachnids.
  • Exodus (2010), by Steve White and Shirley Meier, shifts to new human factions allying against the cybernetic Rigelians in the "Exodus Wars" trilogy.
  • Extremis (2011), by Steve White and Charles E. Gannon, explores psychic threats from the Arduans amid ongoing multi-species wars.
  • Imperative (2016), by Steve White and Charles E. Gannon, delves into covert operations and escalating alliances against fanatical enemies.
  • Oblivion (2020), by Steve White and Charles E. Gannon, wraps major threads with a climactic battle involving ancient human tech and interstellar coalitions.
Omnibus editions compile early volumes for accessibility, such as The Stars at War (2004) containing Insurrection and Crusade, and The Stars at War II (2005) including In Death Ground and The Shiva Option. No new Starfire novels have been published since White's death in July 2025, though the series remains influential for its tactical depth in space warfare narratives.

Empire of Man Series

The series, co-authored by and , is a saga published by that blends with planetary adventure elements. The narrative centers on Prince MacClintock, heir to the vast interstellar , who becomes stranded on the hostile alien world of following a sabotage attempt on his transport ship. Accompanied by a small contingent of elite from the Empress's Own, must lead a grueling march across treacherous terrain, battling local wildlife, barbarian tribes, and political intrigue to reach safety and reclaim his destiny. This unique premise of a spoiled royal transformed into a battle-hardened leader through ground-level survival and tactical combat echoes themes in Weber's earlier solo work, the War God series. The series comprises four novels, released in quick succession during the early :
  • March Upcountry (2001), where the prince and his guards crash-land on and begin their perilous journey inland.
  • March to the Sea (2001), detailing their alliance with local Mardukan forces against invading threats while advancing toward the planetary capital.
  • March to the Stars (2003), escalating the stakes as uncovers deeper conspiracies within the empire during their continued trek.
  • We Few (2005), concluding the arc with Roger's return to imperial politics and a climactic bid to secure the throne.
Weber and Ringo collaborated closely on the series, with Ringo handling much of the action-oriented prose while Weber contributed strategic and world-building depth, resulting in a dynamic narrative voice that alternates between intense ground combat and broader interstellar maneuvering. No additional novels have been published as of 2025, though Baen has issued omnibus editions for accessibility, including Throne of Stars (2004, combining books 3 and 4) and Empire of Man (2014, combining books 1 and 2). These reissues maintain the original texts without significant alterations, preserving the series' focus on themes of leadership, loyalty, and resilience in the face of existential threats.

1632 Series Contributions

David Weber's contributions to the 1632 series, also known as the Ring of Fire or Assiti Shards universe, primarily involve co-authored novels and a standalone novella that integrate modern American technology and military tactics into the alternate history of 17th-century Europe following the supernatural translocation of the West Virginia town of Grantville to 1632 Germany. His expertise in naval warfare and strategic planning, drawn from his extensive work in military science fiction, significantly shaped the series' depiction of up-time innovations adapting to down-time constraints, particularly in maritime and ground operations. Weber's first major involvement was co-authoring 1633 (, 2002) with series creator , which expands on the original 1632 by exploring the geopolitical ramifications of Grantville's arrival, including alliances with figures like and the introduction of up-time firearms, radio communications, and early industrial production to bolster Protestant forces against the . In this novel, Weber's input emphasizes tactical military maneuvers and the establishment of a nascent American-style , leveraging 20th-century knowledge to construct makeshift vessels and conduct riverine operations that alter the course of the . The book highlights the challenges of scaling up-time engineering—such as steam power and basic electronics—in a pre-industrial setting, where resource scarcity forces creative adaptations like hybrid sail-steam ships. Building on this, Weber co-authored 1634: The Baltic War (Baen Books, 2007) with Flint, focusing on escalating naval engagements in the as the United States of Europe (USE) defends against Habsburg and Spanish threats. Here, Weber's strategic contributions are evident in detailed portrayals of ironclad warships, submarine prototypes, and special forces raids, such as a daring rescue at the that incorporates up-time explosives and coordination tactics to outmaneuver numerically superior foes. The narrative underscores the fusion of down-time sailing expertise with up-time and , enabling the USE to project power across waters and disrupt Catholic supply lines. Additionally, Weber contributed the novella "" (2004), originally published in the anthology (Baen Books, edited by ) and later reprinted in his collection Worlds of Weber (, 2008). This piece provides foundational backstory for the USE's naval development, detailing the , , and initial commissioning of Grantville's maritime forces under John Simpson, with an emphasis on adapting civilian up-time skills—like and diesel —to create a functional fleet amid down-time limitations. It exemplifies Weber's focus on organizational strategy, illustrating how interpersonal conflicts and cultural clashes between up-timers and down-timers influence military readiness. While Weber's direct contributions concluded with 1634: The Baltic War, the has expanded extensively through subsequent novels, anthologies, and shared-universe works by other authors, reaching over 50 volumes by 2025, including ongoing explorations of global impacts like colonial ventures in the and . His early inputs on naval and technological integration continue to influence the canon, providing a template for how up-time innovations propel the USE toward dominance in an altered European landscape.

Bolo Series Contributions

David Weber contributed several stories and a novel to the Bolo shared universe, originally created by Keith Laumer, which centers on massive, self-aware AI-controlled supertanks known as Bolos deployed in interstellar conflicts. His works often emphasize the psychological depth of Bolo personalities, their unyielding loyalty to human commanders, and the moral dilemmas arising from advanced AI in prolonged against alien threats. These pieces advance the series' chronology, particularly during humanity's Final War against the Melconian and subsequent eras of Bolo obsolescence and reactivation. Weber's first Bolo story, the novella Miles to Go (1995), depicts an aging Mark XXVIII Bolo named Unit RML-1138/Nike awakening to defend a peaceful from mercenaries, highlighting themes of and as the draws on fragmented memories of past battles. Originally published in the Bolos III: The Triumphant, it portrays the Bolo's between its programmed imperatives and the desire to protect civilians at the cost of its own functionality. In 1997, Weber contributed two pieces to Bolos IV: Last Stand. The novelette The Traitor explores a Bolo's desperate stand to shield refugee children from an overwhelming enemy assault, forcing the AI to confront betrayal within its own ranks and ultimately choosing annihilation over retreat. Complementing this, the longer novella A Time to Kill provides a broader historical perspective on the escalating Final War, focusing on Bolo deployments against Melconian "Dog Boy" forces and the ethical quandaries of unleashing AI weapons on genocidal foes. Both stories underscore the evolution of Bolo psychodynamics, from rigid obedience to emergent strategic autonomy amid existential threats. Weber's 2005 collection Bolo! compiles his earlier works (Miles to Go, The Traitor, and A Time to Kill) alongside a new novelette, With Your Shield, and a appendix, A Brief Technical History of the Bolo (originally from The Triumphant). In With Your Shield, set during a disastrous withdrawal, Bolo Unit LZZ-179/Lazarus bonds with its commander, Captain Maneka Trevor, in a tale of survivor's guilt and unbreakable human-machine partnership against superior numbers. The technical history essay, written under the "Felix Hermes," details the developmental lineage of Bolo marks from early models to advanced psychotronic systems, providing context for the series' technological progression. Expanding on With Your Shield, Weber's novel Old Soldiers (2005) follows Trevor and Lazarus as they guard a covert human colony outpost, facing internal doubts and an unexpected Bolo adversary haunted by its own traumas. The narrative delves into post-war Bolo retirement, reactivation protocols, and the psychological toll of immortality on AI entities, reinforcing the series' exploration of companionship and redemption in the face of inevitable .
TitleTypeYearOriginal PublicationKey Themes
Miles to Go1995Bolos III: The TriumphantObsolescence, civilian protection, memory recall
The TraitorNovelette1997Bolos IV: Betrayal, child refugees, sacrificial defense
A Time to Kill1997Bolos IV: Final War escalation, ethical AI warfare, Melconian conflict
With Your ShieldNovelette2005Bolo!Human-Bolo bonding, survivor's guilt, retreat under fire
Old SoldiersNovel2005Standalone ()Post-war duty, AI trauma, colony defense
A Brief Technical History of the BoloEssay1995/2005Bolos III: The Triumphant / Bolo!Bolo technological evolution, historical overview

Other Collaborations

David Weber has engaged in various collaborations beyond his established series, often exploring shared universes or one-off projects with other prominent authors. One notable example is his contribution to the Foreign Legions anthology (2001), edited by , where Weber penned the "Sir George and the Dragon." This story, set in Drake's Ranks of Bronze universe, depicts a group of medieval Englishmen abducted by aliens and repurposed as mercenaries, blending historical military tactics with speculative alien intrigue. The was later expanded by Weber into the standalone novel The Excalibur Alternative (2002), though the original remains a key collaborative piece in the anthology alongside works by and . Another significant collaboration is the series, co-created with , which diverges from Weber's other joint work in by focusing on a portal-based conflict between magical and technological civilizations across parallel worlds. The series begins with Hell's Gate (2006), where Weber and Evans introduce the interdimensional war between the mage-wielding Union of Arcana and the tech-reliant Holy Vishayan Empire. The second book, Hell Hath No Fury (2007), continues the conflict. Subsequent entries, such as The Road to Hell (2018) with Joelle Presby, continue the narrative, emphasizing strategic battles and cultural clashes. This series highlights Weber's interest in large-scale military scenarios in non-traditional settings. In the 2020s, Weber extended the Out of the Dark series—a tale of humanity's defense against vampire-like alien invaders—with a collaboration on To Challenge Heaven (2024), co-authored with Chris Kennedy. This third installment builds on Weber's solo novels Out of the Dark (2010) and Into the Light (2021), shifting focus to interstellar alliances and human-alien diplomacy amid escalating threats. Kennedy's input adds layers to the tactical elements, culminating in humanity's push for broader galactic integration. The book received recognition as a Discover Sci-Fi award winner for Best Alien Sci-Fi. These projects demonstrate Weber's versatility in co-authoring, often leveraging partners' strengths to enrich world-building and combat dynamics without tying into his core universes.

References

  1. https://torpublishinggroup.com/author/david-weber/
  2. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/david-weber/
  3. https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/David-Weber/486513089
  4. https://www.baen.com/authors/david-weber.html
  5. https://www.baen.com/allbooks/category/index/id/2044
  6. https://www.baen.com/toll-of-honor.html
  7. https://www.baen.com/honor-harrington-honorverse-anthologies.html
  8. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?2243
  9. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?526918
  10. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?35095
  11. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?932269
  12. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?932265
  13. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?1284922
  14. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?1654797
  15. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?934708
  16. https://www.baen.com/Challenges.html
  17. https://www.amazon.com/Challenges-Honor-Harrington-Worlds-Book-ebook/dp/B0FBNBMCGN
  18. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/More-Than-Honor/David-Weber/Worlds-of-Honor-%28Weber%29/9781982192884
  19. https://www.baen.com/crown-of-slaves.html
  20. https://www.baen.com/torch-of-freedom.html
  21. https://www.baen.com/to-end-in-fire.html
  22. https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/david-weber/
  23. https://www.baen.com/cauldron-of-ghosts.html
  24. https://www.baen.com/the-shadow-of-saganami.html
  25. https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/saganami/
  26. https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/The-Saganami-Island
  27. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?153182
  28. https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Saganami-Island/dp/0743488520
  29. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?927592
  30. https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Shadows-David-Weber/dp/1416591478
  31. https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Freedom-Honor-Harrington-David/dp/1476736286
  32. https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Victory-Honor-Harrington-David/dp/1476781826
  33. https://www.baen.com/a-beautiful-friendship.html
  34. https://www.baen.com/ya_guides/Treecat_Teacher_Guide.pdf
  35. https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/Star-Kingdom-%28Weber%29
  36. https://www.baen.com/fire-season.html
  37. https://www.baen.com/treecat-wars.html
  38. https://www.baen.com/a-new-clan.html
  39. https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Indeed-Star-Kingdom-Weber/dp/1668072459
  40. https://www.baen.com/a-call-to-duty.html
  41. https://www.sffworld.com/2014/12/call-duty-manticore-ascendant-1-david-weber-timothy-zahn/
  42. https://www.baen.com/a-call-to-vengeance.html
  43. https://www.goodreads.com/series/127712-honorverse-manticore-ascendant
  44. https://www.baen.com/Chapters/9781476782102/9781476782102.htm
  45. https://www.baen.com/mutineer-s-moon.html
  46. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?341357
  47. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?5863
  48. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?6053
  49. https://www.baen.com/empire-from-the-ashes.html
  50. https://www.fictiondb.com/series/dahak-david-weber~3302.htm
  51. https://www.baen.com/allbooks/category/index/id/2065
  52. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Sword-of-the-South/David-Weber/BAEN/9781481482363
  53. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/david-weber/war-god/
  54. https://www.baen.com/oath-of-swords.html
  55. https://www.baen.com/allbooks/category/index/id/2065%2C1972
  56. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/david-weber/safehold/
  57. https://www.baen.com/Chapters/0765315009/0765315009.htm
  58. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780765363817/outofthedark
  59. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7892754-out-of-the-dark
  60. https://www.torforgeblog.com/2021/01/14/long-awaited-sequels/
  61. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250907394/tochallengeheaven
  62. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126919093-to-challenge-heaven
  63. https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/Gordian-Division
  64. https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-interview-the-dyson-file-author-jacob-holo/
  65. https://www.audible.com/series/The-Gordian-Protocol-Audiobooks/B08V4T9D86
  66. https://www.fictiondb.com/series/gordian-division-david-weber-jacob-holo~70070.htm
  67. https://www.amazon.com/Gordian-Protocol-David-Weber/dp/148148396X
  68. https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/jacob-holo/gordian-division/
  69. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Valkyrie-Protocol/David-Weber/Gordian-Division/9781982125622
  70. https://www.amazon.com/Thermopylae-Protocol-Gordian-Division/dp/1982193433
  71. https://www.baen.com/the-thermopylae-protocol.html
  72. https://www.goodreads.com/series/308749-the-gordian-division
  73. https://www.baen.com/Chapters/067172147X/067172147X.htm
  74. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?12350
  75. https://www.baen.com/the-apocalypse-troll.html
  76. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Apocalypse-Troll/David-Weber/9781982125127
  77. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?20134
  78. https://www.baen.com/Catalog/product.info?products_id=200201
  79. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Excalibur-Alternative/David-Weber/9780743435840
  80. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?22864
  81. https://www.baen.com/Chapters/143913314X/143913314X.htm
  82. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Worlds-of-Weber/David-Weber/9781439133149
  83. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?860583
  84. https://www.ebay.com/itm/406234584785
  85. https://www.baen.com/categories/free-library.html
  86. https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/Starfire
  87. https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/weber_david
  88. https://www.baen.com/insurrection.html
  89. https://www.baen.com/crusade.html
  90. https://www.baen.com/the-shiva-option.html
  91. https://www.baen.com/exodus.html
  92. https://www.baen.com/extremis.html
  93. https://www.baen.com/imperative.html
  94. https://www.baen.com/oblivion.html
  95. https://www.baen.com/the-stars-at-war.html
  96. https://www.facebook.com/BaenBooks/posts/sadly-we-received-word-yesterday-longtime-baen-author-steve-white-passed-away-af/1263372595798539/
  97. https://www.baen.com/empire-of-man.html
  98. https://www.baen.com/march-upcountry.html
  99. https://reactormag.com/military-sf-appreciation-david-weber-a-john-ringos-march-upcountry/
  100. https://www.baen.com/throne-of-stars.html
  101. https://www.amazon.com/Empire-Man-David-Weber/dp/1476736243
  102. https://www.baen.com/empire-of-man-ebook-bundle.html
  103. https://www.baen.com/1632.html
  104. https://www.baen.com/1633.html
  105. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?278610
  106. https://www.baen.com/chapters/W200401/074347175X___1.htm
  107. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?25203
  108. https://www.baen.com/1634-the-baltic-war.html
  109. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/1634-The-Baltic-War/David-Weber/9781416555889
  110. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?568873
  111. https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?292827
  112. https://www.goodreads.com/series/85018-1632-universe-ring-of-fire
  113. https://author.1632magazine.com/canon-continuity/recommended-reading-order/
  114. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?831485
  115. https://www.baen.com/bolos-iii-the-triumphant.html
  116. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?617509
  117. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?617537
  118. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?157068
  119. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?89326
  120. https://www.amazon.com/Foreign-Legions-David-Drake/dp/0671319906
  121. https://www.amazon.com/Challenge-Heaven-David-Weber/dp/125090739X
  122. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1413634122800775/posts/1816850935812423/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.