Thread: Ramblings about [military] sci-fi...

Read the starcraft novels. They're a good read.

Originally Posted by LensmanZ313

Harrington gets on my nerves. Ever read the Sharpe novels by Bernard Cornwell?

Yes, she gets on mine also. Well, more accurately, David Weber's horrific writing style does.

No, I have not. Should I?

Originally Posted by Ilyak1986

Read the starcraft novels. They're a good read.

No. I don't read novelisations. If I want to play a computer game, I will. If I want to read a book, I will. I won't read meciocre books capitalising on the success of a game.

I think that you would like the Sharpe novels. Sharpe is an enlisted soldier who saves the Duke of Wellington's life--well, before he was made a duke--and is made an officer. Each novel is based on historical incidents that happened during the Napoleonic wars. I really like the novels; Sharpe's a great character and Cornwell is a great writer.

One thing about battlesuits. Everyone mentions Heinlein over and over again. It was E.E. "Doc" Smith who first introduced battlesuits in the Lensman novels . . . I just wanted to clarify things.

I've gotta find me some Doc Smith someday. Heard much about it.

Not that keen on historical fiction, or that sci-fi that is heavily based on history...unless done very well. I might give'em a look.

Tom Sharpe is, however, I will admit, a legend...although entirely irrelevant to this thread. The man writes good, solid English books. Or something similar to that, at least.

A publisher, iBooks, is re-issuing the Lensman novels. Check Amazon. I have all of the old Pyramid editions. Great stuff.

Has anyone read "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi? I thought it was pretty good. I'm not a big fan of military sf, but I this book was good and fun. Worth a shot if you haven't read it yet.

Ok, I would definately go with:

The Risen Empire: Book One of Succession
The Killing of Worlds : Book Two of Succession


by Scott Westerfeld .

Unconventional military galore!


**SPOILER ALERT**



There are no real heros in this, nor real villains. You have humans of differing beliefs and societies coming into conflict, with very deadly, intriguing results


The opening to the book involves plots flying nanoships to scout out a hostage situation, but Westerfield really does give you the sense that everything is on the line.. With these tiny ships evading and battling with nano-drones sprayed around doors and likely intrusion areas, there is just so much depth palced into the technology and what is considered normal for society living in those times..

I may have got it wrong, but I think there was actual use of nano-weapons that travelled so fast relative to their mass that they caused time to run backwards for ther duration.. although I really am not sure of this, there was so much that went over my head completely!

It really was amazing for me.. and makes me want to reread it.. which I am now going to sorely attempt to do