Forlorn Hope

David Drake writes military science fiction like no one else, and this novel is one of the best examples of why. It has large quantities of intense action, character development under fire, and a mass of memorable characters. In many ways the book is what a Slammers' story would be like if you boiled it down to the essentials and then escalated the action another notch.

Of all the Drake books, this one is 2nd only to Redliners, in showing the spirit of a unit that has endured danger, hardship and boredom and responds with courage and ingenuity when faced with a desparate situation. The state employing the unit is losing to the other side, and plans to sell them out. They are trapped, all hands are turning against them, and their captain has been betrayed and murdered. A young officer of the local army, unpopular with his own brass due to his distain of corruption, joins the unit. His leadership and the unit's deadly skills give them a fighting chance to survive.

David Drake is justly famous for his Hammer's Slammers stories, but this one-off novel dealing with another mercenary company is actually his best work of military SF. With enough hard-core action to satisfy anyone, it also manages to probe the question of what it means to be REALLY, REALLY good at killing people.

David Drake turns away from his "Hammer's Slammers" universe and gives us a view of mercenaries fighting in a different milieu.This is about my favourite of Drake's SF -- i'm not sure why, but it's a bit more satisfying than some of his other work.A mercenary regiment whose Colonel has been assasinated, the crew of a damaged spaceship and a young officer and two enlisted men from the regular army of the side employing the mercenaries must band together and overcome hardships and dangers from foe and friend alike.A young man becomes truly an adult when command is thrust upon him.Great book.

I found this book to be thoroughly entertaining. Drake writes about a very specific topic, Military SF, and he does an outstanding job. Allthough I might not have his same background in the U.S. Army I am quite familier U.S. Navy (going on 7 years acvite duty), I still find that his charactors portray an accurate picture of the comman war fighter in any nations army. Well maybe except that the officers are usually the hero. If you are a military member looking for a story written close to home or if you are just looking for a book with well thought out charactors and a excellent plot Mr. Drake can take on all challengers.