John Laumer was an American science fiction author whose works often explored themes of the lone protagonist, sacrifice, and transcendence, or delved into satirical comedy. His popular Retief and Bolo series, the latter chronicling the evolution of self-aware war machines, reflect a cynical take on bureaucracy, drawing from his prior career in diplomatic service. Despite health challenges that temporarily halted his writing, Laumer returned to creation, though his later works sometimes revisited earlier motifs. His influence on the genre endures, with other authors continuing to develop his Bolo universe.
Commander Greylorn faces a daunting challenge as he seeks to locate a lost colony to secure its assistance for Earth. Amidst this mission, he must navigate a treacherous mutiny on his own starship, adding layers of tension and danger to his quest. This tale is filled with interplanetary intrigue and adventure, highlighting the struggles of leadership and survival in the vastness of space.
A collection of Hugo and Nebula-nominated writer Keith Laumer's Retief novellas, as collected from Worlds of If Science Fiction and Fantastic magazines. The books are satirical science fiction written in the 1960s and based on Laumer's real-life experience in the U.S. Foreign Service
The Best of the Bolo Stories, Including Stories by David Weber, Mercedes Lackey, David Drake, S.M. Stirling and More.Military Science Fiction at Its Best.Controlled by their tireless electronic brains which were programmed to admit no possibility of defeat, the gigantic robot tanks known as Bolos were almost indestructible, and nearly unstoppable. Their artificial intelligences were designed to make them selflessly serve and protect humans throughout the galaxy and made each Bolo the epitome of the knight sans peur et sans reproche , and often far more noble than the humans who gave them their orders.Created by Keith Laumer, the saga of the Bolos has been extended by several of the best writers in science fiction. Now, the best stories of the saga are collected in one Omni-Trade volume, including work by New York Times best-selling writers David Weber , Mercedes Lackey and S. M. Stirling , military science fiction grand master David Drake , and Laumer himself, who recount the exploits of the dauntless Bolos in Their Finest Hour .
Set against the backdrop of the 29th Century's frontier worlds, the story delves into the thrilling escapades of interplanetary diplomat Retief. His unique approach to cosmic diplomacy often leads to unexpected challenges and interstellar crises, revealing the complexities of human and non-human interactions. As the first collection of Retief's adventures, it promises readers a captivating blend of astounding and weird science fiction, showcasing the high-stakes diplomacy that defines his character and the universe he navigates.
American diplomat Brion Bayard is on assignment in Stockholm when he notices he's being shadowed. Before he can escape, Bayard is kidnapped and transported to a parallel universe: the Imperium, where history has taken a different turn and the British Empire and its allies rule the world. Yet another parallel world exists, and the Imperium has a task there for their reluctant visitor: the impersonation and assassination of a global dictator who happens to be Bayard's otherworldly double
Bolo Officer Donal Ragnor's tendency to talk back to brass had gotten him assigned to the backwater colony worlds on the edge of the galaxy. And his new superior regarded him as useless, since there was no enemy to worry about--or so they thought.
Chronicles the history of the BOLO, a futuristic man-made machine that symbolizes brute force, defiance, and rigid will and is responsible for defending humanity against an invading alien group. Original.
In a world recovering from alien invasion, a former war hero, Kafari Khrustinova, leads a band of freedom fighters against a ruthless political regime. This regime, led by the charismatic Vittori Santorini, has seduced Kafari's young daughter with propaganda and corrupted the planet's Bolo, a powerful war machine, to suppress dissent. To liberate her homeworld, Kafari must confront the Bolo she once considered a friend. Unit SOL-0045, known as "Sonny," is a self-aware Mark XX Bolo. After his human commander is forced off-world, Sonny grapples with complex moral dilemmas, descending into confusion and despair. He faces a profound crisis, uncertain if he can make the right choices. Meanwhile, Kafari's daughter, Yalena, is caught in the turmoil. As Santorini's relentless brainwashing tightens its grip, Yalena must awaken to the truth in time to save herself and countless innocents from the tyrant's plans for total domination. The stakes are high as the battle for freedom unfolds, testing loyalties, courage, and the very essence of humanity.
Captain Maneka Trevor was the sole human survivor of the Dinochrome Brigade's 39th Battalion . . . but she hadn't wanted to be one. The Bolo known as "Lazarus" -- Unit 28/G-179-LAZ -- was the 39th's sole surviving Bolo . . . but he hadn't been hers. The doctors and the Bolo techs have put them both back together again, yet there are wounds no doctor or technician can heal. And now Maneka and Lazarus must serve together once again, in a war whose stakes areliterally the survival or extermination of the human race. They are all that stand between a desperate, secret colony of humanity and a Bolo commander torn by survivor's guilt and a Bolo whose very existence reminds her of all she has lost. The odds against them are heavy, the stakes are huge, and surrender is not an option. The Dinochrome Brigade is used to that, but can Maneka and Lazarus survive their own shared past to defend the present?
