This note contains spoilers for the book.

First of a series. Blak Jack Geary is rescued from a life-pod long after he should have been dead, and shortly ends up in command of the last fleet, against an implacable but human enemy.

Make no mistake, the Syndic are winning, too. Partly because the officers of the fleet have lost most of what they need to know to command effectively. Then again the Syndic aren't making any progress either, which is why they haven't won yet.

Geary manages to revitalize the fleet, win some engagements, avoid some others that he'd lose, and start getting the other officers in the fleet up to speed on tactics.

He even thinks ahead to how to eventually end the way, short of annihilation of one side or the other.

Almost looks like it might be an upbeat series, though it's certainly grim to start out with.