Bolos Book V - Old Guard

A Baen Books Original

Copyright 2001 by Bill Fawcett and Associates

Created by Keith Laumer

Bolos Book V - Old Guard, an anthology edited by Bill Fawcett, is the fifth book of Keith Laumer's Bolos, sentient self-driven tanks with the ability to defend humanity against their enemies with their multiple weapons. This time the Bolos are in a campaign against the Kezdai instead of the Melconians. While one young officer resents being up against the Kezdai and wants to get into the real war with the Melconians, his commanding officer reminds the young officer of all of the dead. This is as real as it gets.

While reading about the Bolos, it is no wonder that the Bolos are considered to be Keith Laumer's greatest creation as you often relate more to these dependable, dedicated Bolos much more rather than to their fallible human commanders. The Bolos try to understand and get accustomed to their commanders, and sometimes ponder on their human commander's fitness to command, while the Bolos try to perform their ethical duty in defending humanity. Often in these stories, these dedicated Bolos become the only surviving Bolo in the story and are up against rigorous odds. I felt the Bolos pain and frustration as they receive continuous battle damage, and often have to assume a leadership role upon the deaths of their commanders as the Bolos continue to desperately fight on.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.