Combat SF

By Gordon R. Dickson

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441115314
• ISBN13: 9780441115310
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Ace 1981
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Classic SF Anthology

Combat SF (1975) is an anthology of twelve SF stories about armed combat. These stories were first published from 1951 to 1975. Their protagonists are human, alien, synthetic and machine. The Last Command (1967) by Keith Laumer is a Bolo tale describing the disposition of unit LNE. Men of Good Will (1964) by Ben Bova & Myron R. Lewis reminds one of unforeseen consequences. The Pair (1958) by Joe Hensley conveys the reason for the ending of an intergalactic war that had lasted for a hundred years. The Butcher's Bill (1974) by David Drake is a Hammer's Slammers tale about the costs of war. Single Combat (1964) by Joe Green tells of a formal challenge for the throne of the Saa'Hualla. The Man Who Came Early (1956) by Poul Anderson is a story of time travel and a clash of cultures. Patron of the Arts (1965) by Fred Saberhagen is a Berserker tale about a meeting between machine and artist. Time Piece (1970) by Joe W. Haldeman is a Forever War tale about the recon of a planet in the Antares system. Ricochet on Miza (1951) by Gordon R. Dickson recounts a hunt of an intelligent animal for its fur. No War, or Battle's Sound (1968) by Harry Harrison tells a story of a literate combatman. His Truth Goes On (1975) by Jerry Pournelle is a CoDominium story about Humanity League volunteers sent to fight for liberty on Santiago. The Horars of War (1970) by Gene Wolfe is a story about the nature of combatants. This volume is probably the first anthology of combat SF stories. Many of the authors were former fighting men themselves and knew firsthand what war is like. Several have continued to write combat SF stories among their other works. These tales range from individual hunts to combat assaults on enemy vessels. They all raise issues about the cause and effects of war in the individual and society. Enjoy! Highly recommended for combat SF fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of armed combat, military mindsets, and esprit de corps. -Arthur W. Jordin