Received this book as part of science fiction book club -- contains both Startide Rising and Uplift War (see reviews for each individually). No need to order and wait since you can order each book individually.

However, if you want two wonderfully gripping and completely enjoyable books bound within a single cover, this would be the one to own. I read and reread this edition until the covers fell off.
In this universe, a clan is made up of a patron race (humans), and the client races that have been raised to sentience through the wonders of genetic engineering (dolphins and chimpanzees). Don't expect to hear about the technical aspects of "uplift." Instead, be prepared to become enthralled by the Hugo & Nebula Award-winning tales of noble humankind fighting to stay alive in a hostile union of 5 galaxies.