Melba Pattillo Beals and The General series: Difference between pages

Revision as of 15:35, 16 June 2007

Revision as of 19:35, 20 June 2007

Line 1:

'''''The General''''' (also known as the '''Raj Whitehall''' series after the lead character) is a set of [[military science fiction]] books written by [[S.M. Stirling]] from an outline by [[David Drake]]. Clearly inspired by the Byzantine commander [[Belisarius]], the series shares numerous common elements with the more recent [[Belisarius series]] by Drake and [[Eric Flint]].

{{Infobox Actor

| name = Melba Pattillo Beals

| image = www.marinwomen.org/images/beals.jpg

| imagesize = 200px

| caption = Member of the Little Rock Nine

| birthname = Melba Pattillo

| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1941|12|7}}

| deathdate =

| deathplace =

| height =

| othername =

| Nickname =

}}

'''Melba Pattillo Beals''' (born [[December 7]], [[1941]]) is a journalist and member of the [[Little Rock Nine]], a group of [[African-American]] students who were the first to [[Racial integration|integrate]] [[Little Rock Central High School|Central High]] in [[Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]].

==Books ==

==Integrating Central High==

===Original series===

''Centering on Raj Ammenda Halgern da Luis Whitehall''

# ''The Forge'' ([[1991]])

# ''The Hammer'' ([[1992]])

# ''The Anvil'' ([[1993]])

# ''The Steel'' ([[1993]])

# ''The Sword'' ([[1995]])

The first two books were also published as an omnibus ''Warlord'' ([[2003]]), with the next three in another as ''Conqueror'' ([[2003]]).

===Follow-on series===

Beals was 15 years old when in May, [[1955]], she volunteered to go to Central High, an all-white school. Two years later, she was enrolled as a student at Central High. At the age of fifteen, Melba Pattillo saw her life change drastically. Though she made it through high school, it wasn't easy. White students spat at and mocked the integrating students. The Nine also faced mobs that forced [[President Eisenhower]] to send in the [[101st Airborne Division]] to protect their lives after the governor of Arkansas, [[Orval Faubus]], used troops to block the Nine's entry to the school. At least one white student, a senior, helped her avoid dangerous areas during the school day, but for the most part, she and the other black students faced daily hostility and persecution.<ref>Juan Williams, ''Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965'' (Viking Penguin, 1987), pp. 108-109.</ref>

# ''The Chosen'' ([[1996]])

# ''The Reformer'' ([[1999]])

# ''The Tyrant'' (by [[Eric Flint]], [[2002]])

==Plot==

In an interview for the [[1987]] public television documentary on the Civil Rights movement, ''[[Eyes On The Prize]]'', Beals said that when she arrived home on the last day of the school year, she was so upset over the way she had been treated that she burned her schoolbooks, and admitted that she wasn't looking forward to going back to school in the fall. As it turned out, she didn't have to; the Little Rock school system chose to shut down operations in the fall of 1958 to resist integration, leading other school districts across the South to do the same.

The first 5 books are set on the planet Bellevue. Previously part of a high-technology galactic civilization, planetary civilization collapsed during "the Fall", when extensive fusion bomb destruction greatly reduced the planet's population and technology level. Technology has redeveloped only slowly, The most advanced groups have reached the level of double-expansion [[steam engine]]s, wrapped brass-cartridge breech-loading rifles ([[Martini-Henry lock]] or very similar) or lever-action carbines, cast-steel breech-loading cannon, simple revolvers, etc. Progress has slowed at this point: the breech-loading rifle was adopted over two-hundred years ago, but other groups still use flint-locks or percussion cap weapons.

The ''concept'' of technology has become the basis for a [[schism (religion)|schism]]atic religion, the Holy Federation with priestly Hierarchs, Sysups and so on, an inquisition called Anti-Viral Cleansers. The people speak various mangled tongues, including Sponglish, Spanjol and Namerique, with elements of English, French and Spanish apparent. At the time of the Fall the planet had no horses, so now [[cavalry]] is mounted on 1000-lb dogs of various breeds.

==Career==

The books begin in the Year of the Fall 1103, when the protagonist, Raj Whitehall, stumbles across a working remnant of the old technology, the [[computer]] "Center", which he regards as an angel (which is how computers are thought of by his religion). Center describes itself as a "sentient artificial entity of photonic subsystems tasked with the politico-military supervision" of Bellvue. Center tasks Whitehall with uniting Bellevue and provides him with a constant mental link, strategy assessments and simulations, historical data, and a number of other handy features as aid.

To finish school, Beals moved to [[Santa Rosa, California]], with help from the NAACP, living with foster parents George and Carol McCabe while she completed her senior year at [[Montgomery High School]].<ref>Melba Pattillo Beals, ''Warriors Don't Cry'' (Pocket Books, 1994), pp. 307-308.</ref> She then attended [[San Francisco State University]], earning a bachelor's degree. At age seventeen she began writing for major newspapers and magazines. She later earned a master's degree in journalism from [[Columbia University]]. While in college, she met John Beals, a white man, whom she later married. She had one daughter, Kellie and twin sons, Matthew and Evan.<ref> Melba Pattillo Beals, ''White is a State of Mind'' (Putnam Adult, 1999).</ref>

True to their historical model the books focus on the convoluted "strategic offensive, tactical defensive" campaigns of General Whitehall around the Midworld Sea and his fraught relation with his paranoid 'emperor' - Governor Barholm Clerett - and the avaricious Chancellor Tzetzas. Whitehall's nation is called the Civil Government, amongst his opponents are the Military Governments of the Brigade, and the Squadron, and the Islamic Colonists.

To date, she is the only one of the Little Rock Nine to write a book. ''Warriors Don't Cry'' chronicles the events of [[1957]] during the Little Rock crisis, based partly on diaries she kept during that period. She also wrote ''White is a State of Mind'', which begins where ''Warriors'' left off.

=Characters=

In [[1958]], the [[NAACP]] awarded the prestigious [[Spingarn Medal]] to Pattillo Beals and to the other members of the [[Little Rock Nine]], together with civil rights leader [[Daisy Bates]], who had advised the group during their struggles at Central High. In [[1999]], she and the rest of the Nine were awarded the highest civilian honor, the [[Congressional Gold Medal]]. Only three hundred others have received this.<ref>Anjetta McQueen, "Medals for 9 Heroes," ''San Francisco Chronicle'', November 10, 1999, p. B1.</ref>

==Civil Government==

===Raj Whitehall===

The protagonist of the story, Raj Whitehall is "chosen" by the Sector Command and Control Mark - XIV computer he calls ''Center'' to unite Bellevue in order to restore civilization on the planet and save it from a downward spiral that, according to Center's calculations, might last as long as fifteen thousand years. On his campaigns he forms a group of Companions; able commanders who form the ''ad hoc'' overall command group of the Civil Government Army. His campaigns begin on the border of the Civil Government and the Islamic Colony, then go on to the barbarian-controlled Western Territories of the Brigade and Squadron; and culminate in his defense of the Civil Government against the Colony's main army. Throughout the series' story, Raj Whitehall is doubted and suspected of treason by Governor Barholm Clerett, despite continuously proving his loyalty; even thwarting an attempt at Clerett's life by ending a coup started by Thom Poplanich's brother Des and troops led by Colonel Stanson.

===Companions===

The Companions are men loyal to General Whitehall who form the overall command group of the Civil Government Army (more specifically the ''Expeditionary Force''), as the Army does not have a structure of command higher than battalion level. Most of them are of the Messer class, which makes them nobility in the Civil Government.

*'''Colonel Staenbridge, Gerrin''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Forge''')''

Second in overall command, Raj Whitehall's right-hand man.

*'''Colonel Menyez, Jorg''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Forge''')''

Overall infantry commander, also commands: 17th Kelden County Foot, 24th Valencia Foot

*'''Colonel Dinnalsyn, Grammeck''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Hammer''')''

Overall artillery commander. Grammeck Dinnalsyn is also somewhat of an engineer, as he is also knowledgeable on matters concerning fortifications and weapons development. One testament to the latter is the ''splatgun'', a rapid-fire weapon reminiscent of the early Gatling guns called so because of the sound it makes when it is fired.

*'''Muzzaf Kerpatik''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Forge''')''

Non-military. He is a Komarite (Arab) trader who swears his loyalty to Raj Whitehall after admitting his error in taking part in the dealings of Chancellor Tzetzas. He is Raj's main logistics man and the chief steward of the Whitehalls.

*'''Major Gruder, Kaltin''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Forge''')''

Commands: 5th Descott Guards, 7th Descott Rangers.

*'''Major Poplanich, Ehwardo''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Hammer''')''

Commands: Poplanich's Own. This battalion is recruited from the Poplanich family's estates around East Residence. Ehwardo is the cousin of the brothers Thom and Des Poplanich, and is killed in ''The Steel'' by the Brigade.

*'''Captain Gruder, Evrard''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Forge''')''

Commands: 5th Descott Guards. Killed in ''The Forge'' by a shell from a Colonial ''pom-pom'', a light field gun with a higher rate of fire and smaller shells than the Civil Government's.

*'''Captain Foley, Barton (Bartin)''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Forge''')''

Commands: 5th Descott Guards. Loses his left hand in '''The Forge''' due to a pom-pom shell. It is replaced with a hook thereafter. Foley is Gerrin Staenbridge's protege-cum-boyfriend, and is fond of literature. Before every major battle in the field, Foley gives the following toast to end staff meetings: ''"He fears his fate too much, and his desserts are small, he who will not lay it on the line ---to win or lose it all."''. Foley's interest in literature garners him an award for his book, ''Raj Whitehall and His Times,'' which he is to write after Thom Poplanich is enchaired as Governor and Center declares the Fall to be over.

*'''Senior Captain M'lewis, Antin''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Forge''')''

Commands: 5th Descott Guards Scout Unit (The Forty Thieves). He is from Bufford Parish, the most lawless part of not-so-lawful Descott County, therefore he is regarded as somewhat of a bandit by Raj Whitehall when they first meet. He is distinguished by his wire garrote and the skinning knife that he carries on his left side. M'lewis meets Raj Whitehall when he is brought before him concerning an incident involving a pig (or a shoat) gone missing despite a no-foraging order.

*'''Captain Thiddo, Mekkle''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Hammer''')''

Commands: 5th Descott Guards, 1st Rogor Slashers. Shot under truce banner after parley with ''Squadrone'' nobles.

*'''Captain M'brust, Tejan''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Hammer''')''

Commands: 1st Rogor Slashers, 5th Descott Guards, 2nd Cruisers. Takes command after death of Mekkle Thiddo, then his command is later transferred to the 2nd Cruisers.

*'''Capatin Zahpata, Hadolfo''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Hammer''')''

Commands: 18th Komar Borderers.

*'''Captain Bellamy, Ludwig''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Hammer''')''

Commands: 1st and 2nd Cruisers, ex-''Squadrone'' soldiers conscripted into the Civil Government Army.

*'''Captain Welf, Teodore''' ''(becomes Companion in '''The Steel''')''

Commands: 1/591st, 2/591st, 3/591st ''Brigaderos''; ex-Brigade soldiers conscripted into the Civil Government Army. Formerly second in overall command of the Brigade under General Ingreid Manfrond.

=Nations and Barbarians=

Today, Beals lives in the [[San Francisco]] Bay Area, and teaches journalism at [[Dominican University]], where she is the chair of the communications department.

==The Civil Government / ''Gubernio Civil''==

==References==

<references/>

Remnants of those who remained loyal to the Federation and the civilian government. One of the most technologically advanced nations. The Civil Government is governed by a hierarchy of Ministers headed by a single Governor. The Governor is said to be head of the Church of Holy Federation as well as Viceregent of the Spirit of Man on Earth. Governors are placed on the Chair either by hereditary inheritance or by "shooting their way onto the Chair", which can be placed either literally or by a coup deposing the incumbent Governor, usually by a successful general. Raj Whitehall believes that the Civil Government has the legitimate right to ruling all of Bellevue. Residents of the Civil Government speak Sponglish, a mangled version of Spanish and English which apparently is descended from Mexican and other languages. This state is modeled on the Byzantine Empire.

==Further reading==

*Beals, Melba Pattillo. ''Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High''. New York: Pocket Books, 1994. ISBN 0-671-86638-9

*Beals, Melba Pattillo. ''White Is a State of Mind: A Memoir''. Putnam Adult, 1999. ISBN 0-399-14464-1

==The Colony==

[[Category:1941 births|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

[[Category:Living people|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

Nation established by Islamic/Arab settlers. Technologically second only to the Civil Government. Their leader is called a Settler, and like the Civil Government the right throne is settled either by hereditary inheritance or civil war. The latter comes as a result as a result of a dispute over multiple heirs over the throne. However, those who are not whole in body (i.e. missing a limb or other body part) are disqualified and ineligible to claim the throne; which is why Tewfik ibn'Jamal cannot become Settler as he lost an eye in the Zanj campaigns. Residents of the Colony speak Arabic. This state is modeled on the Sassanid Empire of Belisarius's time.

[[Category:African Americans|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

[[Category:American journalists|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

==The Brigade / ''Brigaderos''==

[[Category:Congressional Gold Medal recipients|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

[[Category:Little Rock Nine|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

Barbarian Military Government established by the descendants of the 591st Provisional Brigade. They are the most technologically advanced of the Military Governments. The ''Brigadero'' army uses rifle-muskets, which are primitive compared to the Armory breech-loaders used in the Civil Government Army. Cavalry units also carry two-meter long lances as well as cutlasses with hand-guards. ''Brigadero'' soldiers also wear front-and -back breastplates which are resistant to lead hollowpoint shots fired from Civil Government rifles. This leads to the Civil Government army switching to brass-tipped bullets to puncture such armor. The Brigade and the Squadron speak dialects of Spanjol and Namerique, remnants of Spanish and English respectively.

[[Category:Arkansas writers|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

[[Category:People from Arkansas|Beals, Melba Pattillo]]

==The Squadron / ''Squadrones''==

Barbarian Military Government established by the descendants the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. Less developed than the Brigade, but with a more maritime orientation. The ''Squadrones'' can be likened to the Germanic ''berserkers'', both from physical appearance (they are described as large, pale-skinned and well-built) and from their apparent love for combat; as it is shameful in their culture to shun or run away from battle. In Raj Whitehall's first campaign in the Western Territories, the ''Squadrones'' literally run into the line of fire of the Civil Government field guns. The Squadron and the Brigade speak dialects of Spanjol and Namerique, remnants of Spanish and English respectively.

==The Skinners==

Barbarian nomads employed by the Civil Government as mercenaries. Notorious anarchist survivalists, with a reputation for marksmanship, dog riding, and atrocities. Reminiscent of the Mongols.

==The Zanj==

Little is known of the Zanj area or its people, except that Tewfik ibn'Jamal lost his eye while campaigning there. Also, the people in the Zanj area are ''shi'a (Shiite)'' muslims, otherwise known as ''Druze''s. Abdullah Al'aziz is a Druze from the Zanj area whose family and life is saved by Suzette Whitehall.

==Chosen series==

In the follow-up novels, Center, along with the recorded mind of Raj Whitehall, are sent to the planet Visager to help boost that society to the point where it too can join what has now become Bellvue's multi-world Federation. This time, Center recruits two brothers, Jeffrey Farr and John Hosten, to help remake a world. Standing in their way is a nation of eugenically bred warriors called the Chosen,

the strongest, most technologically advanced military force on the planet, who believe that all non-Chosen are merely slaves who haven't been caught yet.

==External links ==

* [http://www.scifan.com/series/universe.asp?UN_universeid=25 ''Raj Whitehall Universe'' listing] at [[SciFan]]

** [http://www.scifan.com/series/series.asp?SR_seriesid=208 Series listing for original series] at [[SciFan]]

** [http://www.scifan.com/series/series.asp?SR_seriesid=214 Series listing for follow-on series] at [[SciFan]]

[[Category:Novel series|General, The]]

[[Category:Military science fiction|General, The]]