JOHN HEMRY
JOHN HEMRY is a retired US Navy officer and a graduate of the US Naval Academy. At the USNA, he majored in International Relations and lettered in fencing. On his first berth, the USS Spruance, he served first as Gunnery Officer and later as Navigator/Administrative Officer, with collateral duties including Ship's Legal Officer. He later moved into naval intelligence and the newly-created Navy Anti-Terrorist Alert Center, where he worked in collaboration with the other services and the Joint Chiefs. He eventually returned to sea duty in the Western Pacific before concluding his career with another stint at the Pentagon, broadening his expertise through service as an action officer for operational plans, interfacing not only with the other services but with diplomatic communities as well. He received numerous awards and decorations for his service, before the end of the Cold War provided an opportunity for early retirement in 1994, twenty years after his entrance into the Naval Academy.
This allowed him to embark on second careers as a writer and father while still at a fairly young age. He lives in Maryland with his wife and children. And he's moved up the ranks as a writer just as he did in the Navy, graduating from well-received short fiction and articles to book-length military science fiction. His "Stark's War" series is accurate and exciting ground-up military sf set on the moon. His "Paul Sinclair" novels take even greater advantage of his military background, as Paul Sinclair's development as an officer will over time allow John Hemry to utilize every aspect of his twenty years of Navy experience.
Navy Captain David E. Meadows, himself an author of the "6th Fleet" and "Joint Task Force" series says "Hemry is the real thing. A Navy veteran who captures the future Fleet in space age fiction. Thrilling excitement on every page with fast moving action that captures the reader."
PRAISE FOR JOHN HEMRY'S ETHAN STARK SERIES
Gripping. Sgt. Stark is an unforgettable character ... STARK'S WAR reads as if Hemry has been there.
Jack McDevitt
STARK'S WAR is both page-turning SF and an if-this-goes-on story in the classic SF mode. John Hemry has perfectly captured the cynicism of the professional soldier and the camaraderie that develops in any good military unit--the sense of interdependence, the confidence that one's comrades are the only ones to be fully trusted.
Rick Shelley
A rip roaring race through tomorrow's battlefield, where knowledge is power, but stupidity still reigns. Hemry's debut is a great yarn--and a thoughtful cautionary tale.
Mike Moscoe
When it comes to combat, Hemry delivers.
William C. Dietz
I was quite impressed and pleased.
Science Fiction Chronicle
A gripping tale of military science fiction, in the tradition of Heinlein's STARSHIP TROOPERS and Haldeman's FOREVER WAR. It serves as both a cautionary fable and a science fiction adventure, doing dual purpose and succeeding on both levels...The characterization is right on...the plot is sharp and crisp...a worthy debut from Hemry, and it has the potential to join the pantheon of classic military sf stories if it gets the attention it deserves. Give this one a try.
Absolute Magnitude
...and the rest of the STARK'S WAR trilogy
Once again, we're treated to a fascinating, complex look at the military mindset ... serves its purpose well and tells a damn fine story. For those who like military SF, this book more than serves the purpose, clearly claiming Hemry's place at the Round Table of military SF writers. I'll be looking forward to see how he resolves the story, and what else he has up his sleeve.
Absolute Magnitude (on COMMAND)
In a gripping space opera Hemry delivers an intensely satisfying read. Strong characterization and well-executed action keep the pages turning.
Romantic Times (on CRUSADE)
Hemry has a solid sense of military thinking and lunar fighting, and I really liked this series.
Philadelphia Weekly Press (on CRUSADE)
PRAISE FOR JOHN HEMRY'S "PAUL SINCLAIR SERIES"
Superior military sf ... The last third of the book recalls nothing so much as The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial in an sf setting, and it attains the same high level of achievement. Although Hemry probably has too much taste to launch a googolplexology from this book, if he were to do so, discerning readers might applaud.
Booklist
A trim novel and a promising series start by an author who obviously knows what he's writing about ... avoids the blood and thunder prevalent in the field. Hemry instead opts for courtroom tension and readable interaction between finely crafted characters. This series has promise to stand on its own among similar mature works, such as Poul Anderson's Dominic Flandry books and the Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle Moteworld collaborations.
Starlog
A very interesting story with believable characters and a strong moral. The details of military life and the justice system that are explained are fascinating, vital to the story, and smoothly integrated into it. It also lays the groundwork for a series which I am looking forward to reading. I recommend it heartily.
NY Review of Science Fiction
Nicely set up and executed ... a nice, absorbing story.
Science Fiction Chronicle
A strong space ship legal thriller that provides incredible insight into lofe on an outer space vessel, as if John G. Hemry served on one ... fans of tales focused on the relationships within a military science fiction will want to trek to the stars with Paul.
Best Reviews (H. Klausner)
Being an officer on a combatant vessel underway is exhausting, exasperating, and exhilarating, in other words ... fascinating and addictive. And that's what Hemry has managed to capture. ... Young Paul Sinclair is exactly the kind of guy you want to serve with, and exactly the kind of reluctant hero that great series are made from.
SF Revu
Hemry gives sf its own JAG with this intelligent and engrossing legal drama ... one of the more worthwhile and provocative novels I've read in 2003. The climactic court-martial scene is something of a tour de force ... Hemry's nuanced approach is praiseworthy, and I think Hemry's future adventures of Paul Sinclair can only grow more rewarding.
SF Reviews
A remarkably impressive work of military science fiction. Hemry's writing kept me deeply interested in the story at all times. I would never have expected a legalistic work of military science fiction to prove as exciting as A Just Determination most definitely is. This is military science fiction at its best.
Rambles
Hemry explores gallantry, honor, duty, and patriotism - as well as their opposites -- in a book where both the court scenes and the space-chase scenes are page turners.
Steve Miller,
co-author of the Liaden Universe® novels
A JUST DETERMINATION is the "Caine Mutiny" of the Space Age. A page-turning Sci-Fi thriller that captures you at the beginning and shocks you at the surprise twist in the ending.
Capt. David E. Meadows, USN,
author of 6TH FLEET & JOINT TASK FORCE series
Your book was crafted with care, love and precision. I had a hard time putting it down, and was sorry when it was over.
Stephen L. Burns,
award-winning author of FLESH AND SILVER
First-rate military sf. Another absorbing novel. Hemry's series continues to offer outstanding suspense, realism and characterization, and this book, no less than its predecessor, only ratchets up readers' appetites for more.
Booklist
A nicely understated and very effective novel of investigation and trial, with a convincing military backdrop that doesn't fall into the excesses of most military SF. With this new series, Hemry has made the transition from potentially interesting to very interesting indeed, as his novels continue to show a steady improvement in plotting and background.
Science Fiction Chronicle
Hemry cements his position as the best writer of legalistic military science fiction working today ... some of the most human, realistic, vibrant characters I've ever been introduced to. Hemry has done the impossible and actually produced a novel more exciting, more engrossing and more impressive than A Just Determination. I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that Hemry is the best science fiction writer on the current market. No other author manages to hook me mind, body and soul from the very first page, and no other author creates characters who become such an integral part of my life. An engrossing, addictive reading experience.
Rambles
One of the most relevant and intelligent adult drama series being published in SF right now. Delivers on the promise of A JUST DETERMINATION. A rock solid courtroom drama ... delivers the kind of white knuckle tension that makes legal dramas so popular. Hemry's decision to wed courtroom drama to military SF has captured lightning in a bottle. He builds the story's suspense expertly. It all culminates naturally at the court-martial, and in the best tradition, this one will keep you turning pages with the proverbial bated breath.
SF Reviews
Hemry has come up with a winner. The tension is palpable, the trial scence is well-handled, and the result is a first-rate thriller.
I Love a Mystery
I enjoyed the book and I look forward to following the future adventures of Paul Sinclair.
SF Revu
Henry has pioneered a new sub-genre with his superb space ship military legal thrillers. The legal aspects are brilliantly intertwined within a fantastic military science fiction drama that should promote Mr. Hemry to a best selling admiral.
Midwest Book Review
BURDEN OF PROOF is another exciting military legal SF adventure from Hemry. Perfectly capturing the rapid-fire give and take and dramatic arguments of shows like Law and Order and JAG or movies like A Few Good Men, and throwing in the sholid characterization of classic Robert A. Heinlein, the story moves at a fast pace. Once I started reading, I was hard-pressed to put the book down, and I'm left eagerly awaiting the next installment of Paul Sinclair's career. BURDEN OF PROOF, like each of Hemry's books to date, is a must for any military SF fan.
SF Site
One hell of a series. A humdinger. The Paul Sinclair series remains at the top of my list of Great SF Books.
SF Reviews
Hemry's real-world experience gives the investigation and subsequent courtroom scenes a convincing feel. If you crave a legalistic space-Hornblower, you'll enjoy this one and you'll look forward to what he gets into next.
Analog
Hemry concludes an exceptionally thoughtful and intelligent series on a strong note.
SF Reviews
Click to go Back