Product Description

Decent material but reruns, Friday, July 23, 2010

I like Ringo's work and I like these kinds of books. That was my biggest problem, as I read this book I kept asking myself, "Haven't I read this story before?"

There were some that definitely were new, and I liked the one based on the Freehold novels by Mike Williamson. However, I was expecting the book to be mostly new content and all I can say is that I'm sure several of the stories appeared before, perhaps in the There Will be War anthologies by Pournelle.

If you've read a lot of this type of material you'll probably find that you've read several of these stories too :(

Also, I thought the book said it was 400 pages...

Rating: 3 out of 5

Citizens: Good collection, Friday, June 25, 2010

The only failing is that quite a few of the stories are rather old and have been out and read for a long time. However, I do realize that to some people they'd be new.

Rating: 4 out of 5

A Great Composition for a Military Sci-fi Fan, Saturday, May 29, 2010

As a whole this is an excellent collection for anyone who enjoys science fiction or military science fiction. There are a few stories I didn't enjoy but for the most part it was a roarin' good time.

Nature and Nurture by John Ringo is an introduction to the stories.

- Field Test (Analog, 1976) by Keith Laumer
I didn't quite like the layout of this story but I think it was a great way to start off the book.

- Allamagoosa (Astounding, 1955) by Eric Frank Russell
At first I thought this was going to be a boring story, but I have to admit it is one of the first times I have ever laughed out loud while reading.

- Exploration Team (Astounding, 1956) Murray Leinster
This story was decent but I can't say it really impressed me.

- Superiority (F&SF, 1951) by Arthur C. Clarke
I enjoyed this story, it has an ironic and plausible tone.

- The Horars of War (Nova 1, 1970) by Gene Wolfe
Eh, this one was alright. Can't say I was too blown away by it but I'd give it a 5/10.

- Fireproof (Astounding, 1949) by Hal Clement
This one was interesting but not exactly fun, it definitely high-lights the science in science fiction.

- Peace with Honor (Analog, 1971) by Jerry Pournelle
I enjoyed this story, even if the protagonist is a dirty politician.

- Under the Hammer (Galaxy, 1974) by David Drake
This was pretty good, a little too short but I may have to check out some of Drake's work.


- Time Piece (If, 1970) by Joe W. Haldeman
Also pretty good, it reminded me a good bit of Haldeman's Forever War.

- Neither Sleet, Nor Snow, Nor Alien Invasion... (first publication) by Dave Freer
Not as witty as Allamagoosa but every bit as funny.

- Light (first publication) by Kacey Grannis
This is probably the only story that I didn't like at all. I don't feel like it belonged but oh well.


- The Question (first publication) by Patrick A. Vanner
Pretty good, I'm looking forward to Vanner's Ragnarok due to come out sometime this Fall.

- The Price (first publication) by Michael Z. Williamson
I read Williamson's Freehold and Better to Beg Forgiveness, this tale is a good side story.

- Earth's First Improved Chimp Gets a Job as a Janitor (Cosmic Tales, 2004) by John Ringo
Ringo is above all my favorite military sci-fi author. Even if this story sucked I would have loved it, of course it didn't suck so I loved it even more.

- The Long Watch (American Legion, 1949) by Robert A. Heinlein
This is my favorite story in the entire collection. The hero isn't some elite super soldier, he's a weapons technician that dies to prevent a coup in the name of duty.

Rating: 4 out of 5