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.

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.