First to Fight (Starfist, Book 1)

by David Sherman and Dan Cragg

Book Overview

"Hard to put down . . . Any book written by Cragg and Sherman is bound to be addictive, and this is the first in what promises to be a great adventure series. First to Fight is rousing, rugged, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345406222
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Del Rey
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 1.0" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

Cliches -- more than a few, but...

An earlier reviewer talked of military cliches, and how everything seemed the same, that the writers couldn't imagine huge societal changes that will obviously have taken place by the time the 25th century arrives. That there will be changes is true, but it will be more along the lines of changes in the trappings of civilization. Over the millenia, since humankind has learned to fight in groups, very little has changed. Strategy, tactics, and technology has evolved of course, but one thing has remained constant. To succeed in war, a belligerant must take and hold ground. It's sometimes almost as valuable to deny ground to the enemy, but in the end it must be taken and held. Cavalry couldn't do it all, aircraft can't do it, tanks can't do it, and in the future whatever takes the place of these won't be able to do it, either. It has always been up to the ground-pounder, assisted by the other arms, sure, but only the ground-pounders can prevail in the end. This first book in what has become a highly entertaining series is remarkable in its devotion to the ground-pounder, and especially the ground-pounder who makes it all happen: the guys at the sharp end, both enlisted and non-commissioned officers. I highly recommend this saga, if you want realism at the small unit level. And if you're interested in what other Starfist fans are saying about the books of Sherman and Cragg, there's now a fan website available at http://www.starfisthq.org. Discussion forums, news of future books, and you can also make contact with the authors who do participate from time to time.

Holds your attention

If you want a book that you have to think about(not that thinking is a bad thing) get Ender's Game or Starship Troopers. If you want a book that you can read and just enjoy it for the story and not its deepm psycological meaning read this serise. Here are the beginings of the adventures of the 34th FIST, a group of elite military soliders in the 25th century. Yes they are sterotypical, but so is alot of other great science fiction. If you enjoyed Starship Troopers, Ender's Game or even Dune you will enjoy this serise and this book in particular.

Nothing New, but Nothing Bad

It's science and military fiction that has been told many times before. A young recruit joins up, is trained, and goes into battle. However, these authors do a very good job of building character, moving plot, writing believable enviornments and enemies and allies. Is it mind candy for the sci-fi crowd? Yes, it is, but is is tasty. I stayed up late to finish it and ordered the next two volumes.

Military sci-fi at its finest!

First off, I'd just like to say that, as a former military manmyself (Navy, not Marines), this book sticks pretty durn close to whatactually goes on (with the exception of the plasma weapons and chamelion suits, that is....) in the military. The comraderie, which the reader is immediately drawn into, the joking and prank-pulling, the immediate shift to serious professionalism when the situation calls for it, yup, Dave Sherman and Dan Cragg have definitely "been there, done that!" The storyline itself is amazingly addicting. I admit I was a bit leery when buying the first book, but was hooked after the prologue. The characters are complex, but not too much so, and you really begin to find yourself sympathyzing with them as the plot unfolds. You get this intense hatred for "military intelligence" from the start, and that doesn't let up through the three books I've read so far! The authors do a superb job of explaining the relevant parts of history and technological breakthrus leading up to the present situations, cleverly disguised as mission briefs instead of a few paragraphs taken out of the general flow of the tale in order for the author to explain. I liked that. Maintains continuity.On a down-note, there are a few places where the action seems to jump, such as a patrol heading into a combat situation, then the scene changes, and when we get back to the patrol, they're cleaning their guns and checking for survivors. In most cases, this felt like a cheezy crop-job by the editors in an effort to cut out "needless and redundant violence"...which is one of the better parts of the story! This doesn't happen often, though, so I decided not to lop off the fifth star in the rating. Overall, an excellent series, well-worth the money and shipping time! The universe in this series is huge and complex, so I can't forsee an end to the series....thankfully! I eagerly await the next installment. END

More realistic than Starship Trooper and smoothly written

When it comes to writing military SF the combined talent of David Sherman and Dan Cragg is hard to surpass. The writing and plots are virtually seamless with no flip flopping between unrelated materials.In First to Fight we are treated to good background information without being bored. We learn about the main characters backgrounds and what drives their motivations. Such as the Joe Dean who came from an Army household and his motivations for going into the Corps. We Get to understand why SSgt. Bass mistrust the UPUD's. There are glimpses into what future military boot camp might be like. Almost every detail in this book tied into something else and nothing stood out as frivolous.The book begins a year or so before the main story, on the introduction of a new piece of military hardware and the problem associated with it. With that background in place we move onto the main story. Part one includes the story of a young man's desire to perform military service and his trials through boot camp. This part sets up the training and function of the Corps. and the mindset.Part Two is the new private as he intereacts on his first duty assignment and how the newbies are brought into the fold by the old salts. To some this might seem boring but it gives some insight into the traditions binding together a band of warriors and how it affects them.Part three begins the mission of providing humanitarian aid on an alien world and the requirements needed. This section like the rest concentrates on the people involved and not the science or the logistics. It provides a glimpse into how humanitarian missions or other non combat missions might turn into combat.Part four is the resolution to this crisis and how all the previous parts come together. Sorry if this seems vague but I don't want to give the story away. All in all David Sherman and Dan Cragg are outstanding in this series. It brings to SF another aspect of the future. This series doesn't concentrate on spaceships, giant robots, single heroes/heroines that can do everything or unrealistic ground warfare.The setting could be placed in any modern warfare arena because the tactics are real and practical. The interactions make sense and I cannot think of any other writer who can bring the futuristic elements of ground combat better than these two authors.