"The Gripping Hand" by Niven/Pournelle

Since I feel obliged to read at least the next-following sequel of books I read (same with Ringworld and Gateway) and usually don't go further than the next sequel, as it is disappointing enough not to want to read the next-next one, I went on to "The Gripping Hand" although it was not in my original read list for this year.  The sequel is written in the early 90s (first book was in early 70s), and the two decades added some technical detail to flesh out the 2 decades of technology development, so it sounds a bit more convincing.  The emphasis is not on technology though, which was extensively explained in the first tome, but on interactions with the moties and the developments in the Motie system that happened in 3 decades (things with moties change very fast).

 Although an overall weaker book than the first tome, it does get into the action with Moties much quicker.  I am not sure what's the purpose of the New Utah plot in the beginning.  Renner gets roughed up a bit, but nothing serious.  Then he just 'forgives' the perps and is off to Sparta with Bury.  Really?  The mormons of the True Church (all of them claim to be 'true' :) kidnap a Navy Intelligence Captain and nothing happens to them?  Not even court marshal?  Wow.  Weak.

Anyway, the second Alderson point opens and Kevin and Horace scramble a few ships and are off to guard it, but too late.  Seven Motie ships enter and scatter, only 3 captured.  The fleet goes into the Mote system and learns that the Mote Prime has been destroyed by its inhabitants and whomever survived was back to stone age technology.  The real Moties are now the asteroid and moon (and Oort cloud) 'civilizations' or better 'families.'  The one that made contact with Renner and Bury is called the "Medina Trading Company" and most of the space moties take Arabic names in respect of Bury, as his Fyunch(click) has gone rogue and started selling her services to the highest bidder (making Bury proud). 

Follow lots of flash-made and flash-broken space alliances, double-playing and even a threat of complete annihilation by the "Khanate" family, which are eventually defeated by the nuclear weapons Bury brought and the timely arrival of the cavalry (Imperial Space Navy).  Much more sex in this book, though it's all PG-13.  Good follow up read, but I won't be reading further into this series.