BOLO!

A Baen Books Original

Copyright 2005 by David Weber. "Miles to Go" and "A Brief Technical History of the Bolo by "Felix Hermes'" copyright 1995 by David Weber; first published in Bolos, Book 3: The Triumphant; "The Traitor" and A Time to Kill" copyright 1997 by David Weber, first published in Bolos, Book 4: Last Stand, edited by Bill Fawcett; "With Your Shield"copyright 2005 David Weber. Keith Laumer's "Bolo" universe used by permission.

Bolo! The anthology of Keith Laumer's creation of the BOLOs is a good anthology. I really felt for these dependable Bolos, which are tanks with artificial intelligence built in and the loyalty of a dog. With the Bolos analytical ability of extensive battle tactics and interacting with their human commanders, the Bolos make very formidable weapons. The Bolos have human-like characteristics that make them very loyal and dedicated to defend their human commanders commanding them from inside the Bolos. Even when one Bolo appeared to be a traitor - the Bolo was in reality battle damaged and was defending some children from a perceived enemy, even if that enemy was another Bolo who was on the same side as he was. That is how dedicated the Bolos are.

The one non-fiction article in the anthology is about the technical specifications of the weight, speed, armament and the upgrades of the Artificial Intelligences installed into the various models of the Bolos, from the first Bolo to the last Bolo.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

STAR TREK - NEW FRONTIER - THE QUIET PLACE

An Original publication of POCKET BOOKS

Written by Peter David

Copyright 1999 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved



Set in Star Trek's New Frontier series - a young woman, Riella, is being pursued by both the driven Redeemers - as well as being pursued by the aggressive Dogs of War because she has been dreaming about the mythical "The Quiet Place." Apparently the mysterious Riella is not really who she thought she was.

This book introduces the enterprising anti-hero Xyon, who reluctantly becomes the protector of Riella as he helps her search for her true identity. It was funny to me that Riella questions Xyon's intentions and fitness as protector as he constantly risks getting beaten up for her.

The book also has a bonus extra - Chapter 4 of Starfleet: Year One. This chapter focuses on suggestions for the design of a new starship project for Starfleet, like a new engine, from various driven Starfleet captains since the captains are the ones taking the risks with their starships.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Starfist: Force Recon - Pointblank

A Del Rey Mass Market Original

Written by David Sherman & Dan Cragg

Copyright 2006 by David Sherman and Dan Cragg
Excerpt from Flashfire copyright 2006 by David Sherman and Dan Cragg



In Pointblank - the second of the Force Recon books - a Confederation army is cut off on the planet Ravenette by a dozen aggressive Secessionist Coalition worlds. A detachment of resourceful Marines, Fourth Force Recon Company is sent to deal with it.

Since we are dealing with several different armies with lots of characters in the book, it is often hard to determine which side you are reading about when the book changes point of view. Sometimes you can only tell the point of view of which army you are reading about by the speech patterns of who is talking - with the locals having a less than literate style of talking. It was rather frustrating for me that the general in charge of the Confederation army does not like the Marines in general and was often not giving the Marines the respect, support, and leadership they needed to accomplish their mission. The ending is also a little unsatisfying to me in that there does not seem to be a definitive resolution to the conflict.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language.

Star Trek - Nemesis

POCKET BOOKS, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Novelization by J. M. Dillard

Story by John Logan & Rick Berman & Brent Spiner

Screenplay by John Logan

Star Trek Created by Gene Roddenberry

Copyright 2002 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.


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In Nemesis, written by J.M. Dillard, Will Riker and Deanna Troi finally get married. After the wedding, Captain Picard and the Enterprise are sent on a diplomatic mission to Romulus. Captain Picard gets a shock when he meets the aggressive new Praetor - who had just murdered the entire Romulan Senate with a horrible new weapon.

I was much more interested in the story after reading the novelization of Star Trek - Nemesis, than I was when I was watching the movie Nemesis. This is probably because I understood the story so much more this time as I was reading the novelization. Initially, while watching the movie, I wanted to see Picard deal with real Romulans and Romulan intrigue and aggressiveness rather than me watching Picard deal with his own clone or with the Remans. The dichotomy between the two Picard's ethics and leadership styles was much more interesting to read about to me, than for me watching it onscreen.

Pancho
All people smile in the same language. 
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STARFIST - SCHOOL OF FIRE

A Del Rey Book

Copyright 1998 by David Sherman and Dan Cragg

On the planet Wanderjahr, the Marines are deployed against the aggressive guerrillas. It turns out not all the acts of terrorism come from the determined guerrillas.

In School of Fire - written by David Sherman and Dan Cragg, the second book of the Starfist series - the terrorist tactics that are used to blame the guerrillas are rather graphic. Considering the graphic terrorist tactics, it is hard to believe who was really responsible for the terrorist acts. However, due to the ineffectiveness of the local military forces, the Marines become responsible for the training of the local military - while Corporals Dean and Claypoole get assigned to the local police. Dean and Claypoole soon get caught up in the middle of a terrorist action and must work together to get out of it. It was nice to see Corporal Dean falling in love with a local girl. I wish I could see more of their relationship in the Starfist series. However, due to the nature of Dean's relationship with the girl, this probably will not happen. 

Pancho

All people smile in the same language.