Aliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual

It's a great informative book and covers USCMC tanks, ships, artillery, air-defense, personal weapons, armor, mines, spacesuits, etc...things not seen in the movie. What makes it superb is almost each weapon entry has a drawing so if you're a modeler, you can almost make a replica of the weapon or vehicle. Descriptive text accompanies each entry. And best of all, it MAKES SENSE! The drawings, ideas, and text aren't comic-book like or totally sci-fi fantasy but seemingly very real with today's weapons. I really liked the made-up Marine comments. The book's text says this missile works but then the Marine in the comment box says the opposite. You believe the Marine instead and not the engineers. Also, the book doesn't skimp...the photos aren't black and white and the drawings aren't kiddish. The book presents the USCMC in a very good light and as a true powerful force with many high-tech weapons and superior training that works (unlike the USS Sulaco Marines shown in the movie). A must-have if you're an ALIENS fan.

Ever wondered how the smartgun looks from the inside? What are the M577 APC specs? And what the HELL does the Company really want? Find out by reading this brilliant extension to the `Aliens' masterpiece. (If you're into guns, you'll notice that the M41A Pulse-rifle is a mocked-up version of the M1A1 Thompson, and the Smartgun is based on the german MG 42...) So, you're wishes will be fulfilled, and much, much more! ;o

Excellent book that goes into detail about almost every aspect of the colonial marines featured in Aliens. Also, it's clear that the creators of the game "Aliens vrs. Predator" used this book, as certain weapons, symbols, and features (such as the smartgun and SADAR) are explained in detail, and correlate with the game. If you can't get enough of an "Aliens" fix from the game and the first two movies (let's just leave Aliens3 & 4 alone, shall we?), then this is the book for you! On occasion, the book gets a little bit gory, with none-too-subtle allusions made to the vietnam war. This gives the book a much more realistic feel, but may make some folks uncomfortable. The Aliens section is kinda neat; gives a little more insight into the "Weyland-Yutani" corporation, and once again demonstrates the poor judgement of this profit-seeking company. A very enjoyable read, especially to sci-fi "technophiles"!

I only reluctantly picked up this book when I saw it in a bookshop--I figured, another cheesy fan-boy tie-in. Was I surprised! Utterly flabbergasted! The author obviously did his research. I've been in the Navy for a few years, and the Techman reads like a modern military digest. The weapons sound like plausible evolutions of modern weapons; they have their good points and kinks. They have correct military designations, even details like the naming of tanks after famous generals. An article on USCMC force resturcturing and tactics sounds eerily like something from today's "Proceedings" (the USN/USMC professional journal), including the Marines vs. Army gibes. Even the sections on theoretical stardrives and space-fighting tactics are wholly plausible. The ALIENS techman is easily the "best of the breed." You don't even have to be an Aliens fan to enjoy it.

This book is based off of the premise of a technical manual writen as a MArine PR piece. The book is full of psuedo scientific explanations for everything that we saw in the first and second movies, from the dropship design to the actual biology of the aliens themselves. It's all complemented very well by ample pictures and quotes from "actual" colonial marines. It's addicting, I find that i pick it up every now and again and re-read it, some of the "quotes" are very funny. Even if you are only a casual fan of the series, pick it up, it's sure to get you addicted.