A review by neglet
Startide Rising by David Brin

Still enjoyable some 20 years after I first read it. Essentially it's an escape story: Earthlings on the run from galactics because they've discovered something valuable. What makes it stand out is the "uplift" angle--most of the Earthling crew are intelligent dolphins, with a few human helpers and one very single-minded chimp scientist thrown in the mix. Brin's depiction of cetacean philosophy and poetry adds depth and interest to the characters.