Name: Startide Rising
Rating: 3.894230769230769 (104 reviews)
ISBN: 9780788788673

David Brin: “Startide Rising” (1983) This is a sci fi story about a Terran (Earth) crew of neo-dolphins and humans on the starship “The Streaker”.
Their mission is to find information about the first Galactic race, which existed billions of yeas ago. The neo-dolphins are dolphins which have gone through the "Uplift" process, which creates through genetic engineering more intelligent sentient beings. For the neo-dolphins, this is also a test of their ability to apply their intelligence, knowledge and skills to Galactic space travel and exploration. The Terrans find an ancient fleet of starships, and on a nearby planet, an ancient (human?) skeleton. There are other Galactic races, who are also keen to find information about the first Galactic civilization. Their hot pursuit of the Terrans forces “The Streaker” to land on the planet Kithrup, whose watery environment and atmosphere are similar to Earth. Above the planet, the starships of the other Galactic races fight each other.
On Kithrup, the dolphins and humans begin repairs to the Streaker, and to explore the ocean, and the inland area of their landing site. They discover an aboriginal species living amongst the trees and lakes inland. There is evidence that there has been another Galactic race on the planet in the very distant past.

Within the crew of the Streaker, tensions and conflicts develop on how to escape from Kithrup. The story centers on individual human and dolphin characters, and their struggle to survive and eventually to return to Earth with their very important findings. The story becomes one about courage, determination, friendship, love, and betrayal, both for the humans and the dolphins. Main human characters: Gillian Baskin, Tom Orley, Ignazio Metz. Main neo-dolphins: Captain Creideiki; Hikahi; Keepiru; Makanee; Takkata-Jim.

Hard science fiction exploring biological elevation, near-future technology, and societal resilience has defined major developments in speculative literature, most notably through the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Uplift universe and post-apocalyptic classics like The Postman. Glen David Brin, writing as David Brin, established his reputation by combining rigorous backgrounds in astrophysics and optics with high-concept speculative storytelling that addresses cosmic and societal challenges.

Career & Background

Born on October 6, 1950, in Glendale, California, Brin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology in 1973, followed by a Master of Science in optics and a Ph.D. in space science from the University of California, San Diego in 1981. Before dedicating himself primarily to writing, he worked as an electrical engineer in semiconductor development at Hughes Aircraft Research Laboratories and served as a university instructor. Beyond his career as an author, Brin has served as a technical consultant for NASA and participated on advisory boards covering space exploration, SETI, national defense, homeland security, and future technologies. In addition to his fiction, his 1998 nonfiction work The Transparent Society earned the American Library Association's Freedom of Speech Award for examining privacy, openness, and technological accountability.

Writing Style & Themes

Brin's fiction is known for hard-science plausibility, vast galactic scope, and detailed examinations of political, social, and technological dilemmas. A signature concept in his work is biological uplift, a scenario where established galactic patron species genetically modify client species to full sentience. Across his standalone novels and short fiction, Brin frequently explores artificial intelligence, surveillance, information democracy, and planetary survival. In predictive near-future novels like Earth, he anticipated technological and environmental developments including global networks and cyberwarfare, while short fiction collections such as Tomorrow Happens highlight his engagement with rapid speculative ideas.

Major Works

Sundiver — Published in 1980, this debut novel introduced the Uplift universe, following a scientific expedition into the outer atmosphere of the Sun that discovers unexpected entities amidst interstellar diplomacy.
Startide Rising — This 1983 novel won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, depicting the crew of the Earthship Streaker—composed of humans and uplifted dolphins—who discover an ancient cosmic secret and must evade hostile alien fleets.
The Uplift War — Winning the Hugo Award in 1987, this novel focuses on the planet Garth, where uplifted chimpanzees and their human partners organize a guerilla resistance against invading alien forces.
The Postman — Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, this 1985 novel follows a solitary wanderer who assumes the uniform of a postal carrier, inadvertently reestablishing communication and civic hope across isolated communities; it was adapted into a 1997 feature film.
Earth — This 1990 near-future thriller centers on a crisis involving an artificial microscopic black hole trapped inside the planet, widely noted for predicting global digital communication networks and ecological challenges.
Glory Season — Published in 1993, this speculative novel explores human social structures and genetics on the planet Stratos, focusing on a civilization dominated by female clones and seasonal reproduction.
Brightness Reef — This 1995 novel launched a second Uplift trilogy, depicting a multi-species community of galactic refugees hiding illegally on the restricted planet Jijo.
Kiln People — This 2002 novel presents a future where people project their consciousness into short-lived clay duplicates, combining hard speculative concepts with a hardboiled detective mystery.
Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe — Co-authored with Kevin Lenagh, this illustrated reference companion details the alien biology, cultural histories, and planetary backgrounds of species across the Uplift series.

Career & Background

Writing Style & Themes

Major Works

Sundiver — Published in 1980, this debut novel introduced the Uplift universe, following a scientific expedition into the outer atmosphere of the Sun that discovers unexpected entities amidst interstellar diplomacy.
Startide Rising — This 1983 novel won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, depicting the crew of the Earthship Streaker—composed of humans and uplifted dolphins—who discover an ancient cosmic secret and must evade hostile alien fleets.
The Uplift War — Winning the Hugo Award in 1987, this novel focuses on the planet Garth, where uplifted chimpanzees and their human partners organize a guerilla resistance against invading alien forces.
The Postman — Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, this 1985 novel follows a solitary wanderer who assumes the uniform of a postal carrier, inadvertently reestablishing communication and civic hope across isolated communities; it was adapted into a 1997 feature film.
Earth — This 1990 near-future thriller centers on a crisis involving an artificial microscopic black hole trapped inside the planet, widely noted for predicting global digital communication networks and ecological challenges.
Glory Season — Published in 1993, this speculative novel explores human social structures and genetics on the planet Stratos, focusing on a civilization dominated by female clones and seasonal reproduction.
Brightness Reef — This 1995 novel launched a second Uplift trilogy, depicting a multi-species community of galactic refugees hiding illegally on the restricted planet Jijo.
Kiln People — This 2002 novel presents a future where people project their consciousness into short-lived clay duplicates, combining hard speculative concepts with a hardboiled detective mystery.
Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe — Co-authored with Kevin Lenagh, this illustrated reference companion details the alien biology, cultural histories, and planetary backgrounds of species across the Uplift series.

Career & Background

Writing Style & Themes

Major Works

Sundiver — Published in 1980, this debut novel introduced the Uplift universe, following a scientific expedition into the outer atmosphere of the Sun that discovers unexpected entities amidst interstellar diplomacy.
Startide Rising — This 1983 novel won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, depicting the crew of the Earthship Streaker—composed of humans and uplifted dolphins—who discover an ancient cosmic secret and must evade hostile alien fleets.
The Uplift War — Winning the Hugo Award in 1987, this novel focuses on the planet Garth, where uplifted chimpanzees and their human partners organize a guerilla resistance against invading alien forces.
The Postman — Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, this 1985 novel follows a solitary wanderer who assumes the uniform of a postal carrier, inadvertently reestablishing communication and civic hope across isolated communities; it was adapted into a 1997 feature film.
Earth — This 1990 near-future thriller centers on a crisis involving an artificial microscopic black hole trapped inside the planet, widely noted for predicting global digital communication networks and ecological challenges.
Glory Season — Published in 1993, this speculative novel explores human social structures and genetics on the planet Stratos, focusing on a civilization dominated by female clones and seasonal reproduction.
Brightness Reef — This 1995 novel launched a second Uplift trilogy, depicting a multi-species community of galactic refugees hiding illegally on the restricted planet Jijo.
Kiln People — This 2002 novel presents a future where people project their consciousness into short-lived clay duplicates, combining hard speculative concepts with a hardboiled detective mystery.
Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe — Co-authored with Kevin Lenagh, this illustrated reference companion details the alien biology, cultural histories, and planetary backgrounds of species across the Uplift series.

Career & Background

Writing Style & Themes

Major Works

Sundiver — Published in 1980, this debut novel introduced the Uplift universe, following a scientific expedition into the outer atmosphere of the Sun that discovers unexpected entities amidst interstellar diplomacy.
Startide Rising — This 1983 novel won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, depicting the crew of the Earthship Streaker—composed of humans and uplifted dolphins—who discover an ancient cosmic secret and must evade hostile alien fleets.
The Uplift War — Winning the Hugo Award in 1987, this novel focuses on the planet Garth, where uplifted chimpanzees and their human partners organize a guerilla resistance against invading alien forces.
The Postman — Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, this 1985 novel follows a solitary wanderer who assumes the uniform of a postal carrier, inadvertently reestablishing communication and civic hope across isolated communities; it was adapted into a 1997 feature film.
Earth — This 1990 near-future thriller centers on a crisis involving an artificial microscopic black hole trapped inside the planet, widely noted for predicting global digital communication networks and ecological challenges.
Glory Season — Published in 1993, this speculative novel explores human social structures and genetics on the planet Stratos, focusing on a civilization dominated by female clones and seasonal reproduction.
Brightness Reef — This 1995 novel launched a second Uplift trilogy, depicting a multi-species community of galactic refugees hiding illegally on the restricted planet Jijo.
Kiln People — This 2002 novel presents a future where people project their consciousness into short-lived clay duplicates, combining hard speculative concepts with a hardboiled detective mystery.
Contacting Aliens: An Illustrated Guide to David Brin's Uplift Universe — Co-authored with Kevin Lenagh, this illustrated reference companion details the alien biology, cultural histories, and planetary backgrounds of species across the Uplift series.

Startide Rising,

Startide Rising,

For authors

Elsewhere

Startide Rising,

Startide Rising,

§Synopsis

§About the Author

Career & Background

Writing Style & Themes

Major Works

§Featured Series

Tomorrow Happens

Sundiver

Startide Rising

The Uplift War

Brightness Reef

§Other Editions

Metadata

Editions and availability

Track this book

Featured In Lists

§Synopsis

§About the Author

Career & Background

Writing Style & Themes

Major Works

§Featured Series

Tomorrow Happens

Sundiver

Startide Rising

The Uplift War

Brightness Reef

§Other Editions

Metadata

Editions and availability

Track this book

Featured In Lists

Track this book

Track this book

Metadata

Editions and availability

Metadata

Editions and availability

§Other Editions

§Other Editions

§Featured Series

Tomorrow Happens

Sundiver

Startide Rising

The Uplift War

Brightness Reef

§Featured Series

Tomorrow Happens

Sundiver

Startide Rising

The Uplift War

Brightness Reef

Featured In Lists

Featured In Lists

§About the Author

Career & Background

Writing Style & Themes

Major Works

§About the Author

Career & Background

Writing Style & Themes

Major Works