Keith Laumer Books

now that I have finished the book and have to catch up on all the things I put of for fear of tearing my eyes away from the paper (things like food, sleep, s-x) I feel that I should tell you one simple thing. READ BOLO BOOKS they are plain awsome they are stand alone but each builds on the whole univese so you do not have to read them in any order. And when you are driving to work imagining that you are a hellbore blasting, infinite repeating, morter spewing incarnat of destruction, just remember that you are supposed to protect all those buggers who cut you off. (the life of a bolo aint easy)

"Bolos Book 1: Honor of the Regiment" (ISBN 0-671-72184-4) is a collection of stories written by several of today's best science fiction-fantasy authors and edited by Bill Fawcett, continues the history of the Bolo, huge, self-directing and self-aware combat vehicles, first penned by Keith Laumer. Honor of the Regiment is a title, I feel, was developed from Keith Laumer's story "Field Test," which tells the story of the first Bolo, named Denny, to use the full capabilities of self-directing and self-aware computer circuitry. Denny's unknown capabilities and the fear by his creators of not being able to control this powerful war machine also prevent him from being deployed to fight off an invasion of his creators country. When Denny was deployed there appeared to be no chance of stopping the enemy advance, even with his added firepower and other capabilities. Denny does the unexpected, instead of doing a fighting retreat against a superior force he charges towards the enemy's lines. This charge eventually breaks the enemy's invasion and forces them to retreat, but the victory came with a price. Denny, in human terms, was going to die from the many wounds he had taken in his charge, and there was no way to save him. Just before Denny dies, his Commander asks "Why he had continued his charge, when he knew he would be destroyed?" Denny's last words were "For the HONOR OF THE REGIMENT." Each of the stories in "Bolos Book 1: Honor of the Regiment" continues the story line penned by Keith Laumer. Further, after serving my country during a twenty-year naval career I can relate to the ideal of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds and to maintain the history and traditions of my unit and branch of service. I highly recommend the book to all science fiction readers.

One of the few books that I have read were I found myself cheering out loud for victories, and tearing up over the loss of friends. Truly a well written work. Causes empathy for our mechanized warriors. All of this series are must reads.

Bolos: Book 1, is the first in a series of books based on the fighting machine created by Keith Laumer. The idea was that tanks would develop not only better weapons and stronger hulls, but would also have computers build into them which would allow it to perform certain duties without a crew. By the time Bolo Mark XXX was developed, human strategic thinking was no longer required. Book 1 and the rest of the series are short stories done by some of the best, including David Drake, S.M. Stirling, Mercedes Lackey and more. Bolos may be machines, but the ones in the stories show heart.

I had never read a book that is a collection of works by different authors on the same topic. I was not sure I would like it. As it turned out I liked it very much. I am an avid sci-fi reader and this book really satisfied me and I found myself ordering book 2 before I even finished book one.

If you absolutely insist on full character development this book is not for you. Each of the stories are fairly short and really only tell a comprehensive tale when taken together. I was also longing for much more of the story from the POV of the BOLO than was given.

I was a kid in junior high back in the late 1960's when I first read this story. My older brother was a big Sci Fi reader and left this one behind in a stack of books when he went into the Marines. I had trouble reading and understanding some of my brother's books, but this one I could get into. Like the oddyssey of Homer, this story has a great series of adventures and dangers which lead up to the big confrontation at the end.

Now its a book I would re-read just for fun.

I have wished over the years that someone would make it into a great space-adventure movie.

I spent twenty years tracking this book down so I could find out if Billy Danger rescued the damsel in distress from the aliens. It was worth the wait. A good solid scifi yarn with three-dimensional characters and an exciting storyline. Billy goes through more hell than anyone could seemingly endure to make good on his promise to rescue her. Definite recommend.

I've read many books of various authorship and many of Kieth Laumers own, but this one is, by far, my favorite. It's a feel-great story about an underdog who persevere's despite overwhelming odds and comes out on top in the cheerable end. I've recommended this to friends who have agreed that it is a heck of a book. It is just so well told that you feel like you're there. I've even used the main character's name, Billy Danger, as a gaming alias for the 10 years since I first read Galactic Odyssey. Keith Laumer was truly a wonderful storyteller.

A simple tale of underdog, battles against all adversity picks up innumerrable skills along the way, Becomes hero, Wins girl. I have read many Sci Fi books from James Blish to EE Doc Smith but this is the most enjoyable and fun book I have read so far in the last 25 years

This book was great. I've never read a book by Kieth Laumer before, but after this I'm sure I'm going to read more. It all starts when a poor, sad, underdog is walking and talking about his misery. After this he wanders off to a mysterious farm and goes to sleep in a silo... or what he thinks is a silo. He actually just put himself into a spaceship. He wakes up to hear the rest of the crew talking about what to do with him. This book was very descriptive, and I would recommend it to any SciFi fan. I thought this book was incredibly well written. I was able to put myself in the main character, Billy Danger's, shoes. If you liked the X Files or Star Wars, you're going to love Galactic Odyssey.

Another great book in the Bolos series. If you like these books check out David Drake's Mutineer's Moon series.

Bolo is, by far, the best science fiction series I've read, and book 3 is by far the best Bolo book. When you have a book that can shake all forms of emotions out of you, you know its good, and Bolos: The Triumphant does just that! There is an element for everyone in this book. There is plenty of action (heck, what do you expect from great military SF?), but there is also a boat load of wonderful emotion that gets the tears flowing. There are even some comical moments that can get a chuckle out of you. I find it to be very hard to find a story that has the ability to weave all types of emotion and action into one without sounding farfetched or stupid, but this one combines everything into one awesome package without ever dragging. You'll cry, you'll laugh, and you'll be up all night on the edge of your seat waiting for what happens next. David Weber and Linda Evans have really hit the bull's-eye with this one; The Triumphant is worth all your time and money. It is a true masterpiece, and that is really saying something.

This one contains the classic Bolo against Bolo; Wriiten by no other than David Weber. Simply captivating, obsorbing and exciting! Imagine a Bolo Novel by Weber? Buy it, read it, write a review. Enjoy!

This is probably the best bolo book, why? Supose you had a friend or mother who could recite poetry, play wargames, explore the meanings of the univers and kick out megatons of damage!! that is a bolo and in this book you will see that even a "dead" bolo can figure out a way to get the job done. An interesting point in this book is that in all but one of the stories the bolo is either massively damaged or modified to the point of being considered combat ineffective and not all stories are happy. the technical readout in the back is a great bonus. A must for any bolo fan, and anyone who believes in the power of the heart be it a Bolo, a human, or a dog gone pup.

This is undoubtedly the best collection of Bolo storied collected to date. Only four stories, half of themm are stories you'd find in the other anthologies. The other two shine like the sun. Little Red Hen is the story of the pioneering attempts of humanity to create a complete AI that feels emotions, and they have succeeded. I will not tell you what the main happenings in the story are because you have to read it to comprehend how masterfully it is constructed. Towards the end I actually found myself CRYING. Impossible, i tried to think to myself. It's got to be onions or mabye i stepped an a tack, but inside i knew exactly what i was crying for: LRH unit 1313 , bolo mk. 21,I(special). Miles to go is another example of the line of distinction blurring. Thee main Bolo in this story is an experimental mk 23, eighty years old. However, she packs a huge suurprise: he former Commander was a psychotronics tech and , for lack of better words, souped up the crud out of her. She is the first Bolo to mount a brain box, an integral part of more modern bolos. Her new Commander, however han one major failing: he is in love with her. Nice problem. Read tese two if you like just about any sci-fi- you wont be dissapointed

This book was a giant step forward in the evolution in the great story line of the bolo series. This book is action packed but still lets you unfold a relationship with the characters and even the Bolo itself! I would reccomend this book to anyone that has every picked up a Sci-Fi book!

Bolo's are basicly what tanks will become if they are not skiped over by other technologys in the future. They are fortresses on treads that in their later desighns are self aware and massivly powerfull. In this book you learn alot about bolos over a wide span of time and will see the absoulute power and rage of a bolo. though the books are obviously fiction you will find you self memorizing all the detales of their weapons, personalities and variose designes and you will no doubt find you self comparing bolos to every thing thinking "Yea thats cool but it couldn't stand up to a mark XXV!"

The Last stand is a compilation of short stories written in the world developed by Keith laumer. I enjoyed them all. You will not want to put this book down. You see Bolo's as they were meant to be seen; in battle. One even turns on its regiment and is pursued by another bolo. Must read.

Though not as potent as the previous installment, Book 4 consists of a more balanced mix of the two themes of Bolodom: Guns and Glory. Book Three obviously is the emotional peice of this anthology, Book 4 delivers some touchy-feely stuff as well. The terror one feels in The Traitor as the reliable Bolo succumbs to damage is a shade away from compelling, but still a darn good read. The most technically engrossing as well as touching (and, I believe, the best) account of this book was the yarn of team Shiva. All in all, a good book.

Once again a perfect read. If you enjoy heroism, honor, and characters you miss when done with a book, this is one for you. The Bolo series is one of the best for any genre, and THE best in military sci-fi. If you liked Hammer's Slammers you will love the bolos. This series has an addictive quality, don't start it before final exams, or tax return time!! Mechanized warriors with traits we should all strive towards. I wish I were a Bolo.

William Keith's RETIEF'S PEACE presents yet another Retief story of the diplomat who returns to action to thwart invaders and dangers to Terran diplomats. Retief may even face being expelled from the Corps for his efforts - but those who would thwart him find him even more deadly operating outside the law...

I had my doubts when this pistache appeared, but I am now a true believer. It is the original Retief back. If you have ever read Laumer's Retief you will love it. If not you will discover a new love and likely end up buying all the originals.

On planet B'ruckley in the Shamballa Cluster, the protests for peace are growing though the natives are not involved except as observers. The local diplomatic corps wants to make no waves against the Peace Movement that could cost a careerist their job and pension even as the evidence grows that this group wants theTerrans to leave.

Second Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne Jame Retief finds the reaction of the Terran Diplomats normal as a bureaucrat's first job is to save one's flank. He has major concerns over the concept of leaving this plant without protection from alien invaders as the Peace Movement demands. Retief begins to make inquiries to determine who stands to gain the most if the seemingly innocent student protestors succeed and the Terrans depart until he concludes that the feral Krll want this orb without any real opposition. His peers need him out of the way so they can save their butts, but that will not stop Retief.

William H. Keith captures the essence of Keith Laumer's Retief in this fine satirical action-packed science fiction thriller. The story line is fast-paced, but owned by Retief who employs his own methods to insure the job is done correct. His understanding of the Terrans is priceless especially in light of what has happened with the hurricane though in the latter case the politicos and their appointees at all levels failed leading to CYA with bush league comments of not me - the others screwed up. RETIEF'S PEACE is a strong deep outer space entry in a wonderful series that timely highlights the objectives of the top layers of the bureaucracy within a mano a Krll confrontation.

Harriet Klausner

This book is all silliness and satire. Retief is the very capable straight man in a world of send-ups of various stereotypes.

If puns don't offend you, you may well enjoy this book. It certainly made me smile.

This is a very good book that dispells the notion that World War II was a "good war". It was a horror that was almost unspeakable. This is an autobiographical account of the european conflict from a batallion surgeon attatched to an infantry batallion. This is a very realistic portrayal of the hardships endured by the citizen soldier from the US. There is no false sentimentality here. This work is along the line of the work done by Paul Fussell. Both of these authors were there in combat and both deride the empty way in which our society has degraded the fighting man by making him look like "John Wayne". As everyone in the US Army knows the biggest insult that drill instructors give is to call someone "John Wayne".

The other review by "A Reader" is definately NOT about this book. Imperial Intelligence Agent Brion Bayard (formerly of the dimension/timeline we inhabit) finds himself in an mostly unexplored and unknown region of space and time after accidentially encountering beings from another dimension line setting up an invasion from a "dead" dimension line very close to the "prime" Zero Zero Stockholm line to which he was abducted in an earlier book. The whole Brion Bayard series is excellent and requires wrapping your brain around some seriously weird stuff.

Despite having been written some years ago, this deliciously
funny book took on PC before it was generally acknowledged to
exist. Hard to find, but well worth the effort.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. Retief is my faverite space hero. If you want to read a good science-fiction book read anything by Keith Laumer, no body does it better;and this is one of his best. It's none stop action and full of funny wit . You'll be guessing until the very end.

The man who invented Retief takes us on a thrilling exploration of the universe, treating us to nightmare veiws of tomorrow, and gripping tingles of science-fiction adventure.

In The Breaking Earth, Keith is at his best. The plot has more twist and turns then a slinky. The Sci-Fi is down to Earth (no pun intended;). The scenario is Earth 21st Century experiencing a Catastrophic Upheval. In the midst of this calamity, there is some mysterious group out to kill for little rhyme reason. If you liked Trace of Memory, you will definately like this book. This book definately ranks as one of Keith's Top 5.

Retief - The James T. Kirk of diplomacy. Retief tends to deal from a position of strength and knowledge. A diplomat that deals with other cultures on their terms, whether the situation calls for holding your breath for an astonishing 2 minutes, or grabbing a double dealing Groaci by all 5 eye stalks to get his attention, Battle Commander Reservist, Jame Retief, Cousin to Her Highness Princess Fianna Glorian Deliciosa Hermoine Arianne de Retief et du Lille, Will do what's necessary to protect the innocent and save your world whether the ambassador he works for likes it or not!