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Set in the far future, the Slammers are a group of mercenaries who sell their talent for destruction and unwavering loyalty to the highest bidder. Hammer's Slammers is a world of military SF created by the brilliance of David Drake, who wrote many of the stories during the Vietnam War. This edition is the complete collection of all the books in the way that David Drake intended them to be read. The series explores themes such as the future of warfare, the moral ambiguity among the Slammers, and the effects of war on people's psyche and personality.
If you liked The Complete Hammer's Slammers Volume 1, here are the top 5 books to read next:
(We also have 100 recommendations for the series: Hammer's Slammers)
- #1
Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos is a military science fiction novel set in a dystopian future where protagonist Andrew Grayson seeks to escape the poverty and chaos of Earth by enlisting in the armed forces of the North American Confederacy. The story follows Grayson's journey from basic training to unexpected assignments in space, offering a blend of action-packed sequences and social commentary on the disturbingly familiar society depicted in the narrative. Kloos' writing style is described as fast-paced, engaging, and with a hint of depth that adds complexity to the otherwise straightforward military sci-fi genre.
The elevator in our wing of the building is out again. I pop the door of the staircase near the elevator, and listen. The stairs are a hangout for the various packs of apprentice hoodlums, who use the... - #2
A space captain named John Black Jack Geary is rescued from his escape pod after 100 years, finding the Alliance and the Syndic still at war. Forced to take charge of the fleet, Geary must navigate through politics and enemy attacks to deliver a hypernet key to the Alliance. The book focuses on military strategy, space battles, and Geary's struggles with being a hero and a leader in a society where he feels out of place.
The story follows Geary as he adjusts to a world that has changed drastically during his hibernation, dealing with the challenges of being in command of a fleet deep in enemy territory. The book combines elements of military sci-fi with character development, space battles, and political intrigue, offering a fast-paced and engaging read with a focus on military discipline and strategic maneuvers.
The cold air blowing in through the vents still carried a faint tang of overheated metal and burned equipment. Faint echoes of a blast reached into his stateroom as the ship shuddered. Voices outside ... - #3
"Armor" by John Steakley is a military sci-fi novel that follows the story of Felix, a soldier in a futuristic war against an alien enemy known as the Ants. The narrative alternates between Felix's experiences on the battlefield and the secondary storyline of Jack Crow, a space pirate. The book delves into themes of war, identity, and redemption, with a focus on the psychological aspects of the characters. The writing style is described as fast-paced, with intense battle scenes and unexpected plot twists that keep the reader engaged.
The only other humans in the cell had already passed through the dispenser, which was good. I couldn’t afford to deal with their notions of justice and rights of life and the rest. Not that I disagree... - #4
'Columbus Day' in the 'Expeditionary Force' series by Craig Alanson follows a young soldier in near future America whose leave is interrupted when Earth is invaded by two interstellar species at war with each other. The story features a snarky AI named Skippy and a unique sense of humor injected into the plot, making it a fun and engaging military sci-fi read with elements of space opera and action galore. introduces a diverse cast of characters, some of whom are shallow and forgettable, while others like the two main protagonists, Joe, and Skippy, stand out for their banter and humor.
The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. Every country had a name for the day the Ruhar attacked; the common name that stuck, after a while, was Columbus Day. I guess that makes sense. There we were, innocen... - #5
In 'On Basilisk Station', Honor Harrington, a competent and determined naval officer, is sent to a remote station as punishment. Despite facing challenges from incompetent superiors and outdated equipment, Honor rises to the occasion to tackle smuggling and avert an enemy's plan to claim the Basilisk system. The book blends elements of military science fiction with a focus on leadership, space battles, and character development, set in a universe where traditional naval terms are applied to a starship navy.
THE fluffy ball of fur in Honor Harrington’s lap stirred and put forth a round, prick-eared head as the steady pulse of the shuttle’s thrusters died. A delicate mouth of needle-sharp fangs yawned, and...