Ice, Iron and Gold

an excellent compilation OF STERLING'S SHORT STORIES including 3 from three of his series.

Ice, Iron and Gold (2007) is a collection of SF and Fantasy stories. It contains thirteen short stories -- fourteen in the limited edition -- from various anthologies. One is original to this collection. Riding Shotgun to Armageddon (Armageddon, 1998) is a story set in the Island in Time series. It is about a war to prevent an uptimer from establishing a private kingdom. Three Walls-32nd Campaign (Foreign Legions, 2001) is a tale about a Roman legion abducted by aliens and used to fight against other, more primitive, aliens. Cops and Robbers (Far Frontiers IV, 1986) tells of a crosstime shopping trip that goes wrong. Roachstompers (New Destinies, 1989) relates the trials of a future border patrol company during a severe economic downturn. Constant Never (Dragon's Eye, 1994) is a fantasy about a Frankish knight who finds a chance to better his life by killing a dragon. Taking Freedom (Flights of Fantasy, 1999) is another fantasy tale about a sorceress who is determined to produce the perfect servant. Lost Legion (Bolos, 1993) recounts the problems of a US Army infantry company that has been left hanging in Central America while the homeland is having troubles. Then they receive an one hundred fifty ton combat vehicle designated as a Mark III Bolo. Ancestral Voices (Bolos 2, 1994) continues the tale of the company and its Bolo on their way back to Reality. The Sixth Sun (Bolos 4, 1997) concludes the storyline about the company and its Bolo. The native cult gets their hands on a massive railgun and tries to destroy the Bolo. The Apotheosis of Martin Padway (Enchanter Completed, 2005) is a time travel story. Martin travels to the past and starts remaking the world (see Lest Darkness Fall). But other time travelers from the remade future come back to observe him. Compadres (Alternate Generals II, 2002) rewrites the life of Theodore Roosevelt after his encounter with Pancho Villa. The Charge of Lee's Brigade (Alternate Generals, 1998) rewrites the life of Robert E. Lee and brings him to Crimea with orders to charge the Russian guns. Something for Yew (original publication) is a Change series tale about a shipload of yew wood and the death of a Mackenzie clansman. The Mage, the Maiden, and the Hag (Lammas Night, 1996) is included only in the limited edition. For those that are thinking of buying that edition (or Lammas Night), the story is about a female mage and a ghost that she decides to bring back to life. As you may have noticed from my reviews, I have been reading Stirling for over two decades. The Draka trilogy was his masterpiece and, in some respects, it may not have been surpassed by his later works. Yet he has steadily gained fame and skills over the years. Keep an eye on this one. Highly recommended for Stirling fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of various sorts of combat with a touch of humor. -Arthur W. Jordin

Ice, Iron and GoldThis is a collection of Sterling's short stories almost all of which I found unashamidly good but I was particularly overjoyed to note the author referencing what I consider one of the finest SF/alternate history stories I've ever read, i.e. "Lest Darkness Fall" and he tops it off by referencing one of his own alternate history stories from the point of view of an Egyptian subordinate commander who has some real problems. I'm not fond of short stories because I like characterization too much but here I can make an exception.

This is a collection of thirteen stories only one, a detective procedural set the "Dies the Fire" universe is new. Three are Bolo stories that form connected narrative. All are enjoyable showcasing Stirling's depth of research and background. Two are outstanding: "The Apotheosis of Martin Padway" which percisely that and contiues the story of deCamp's "Lest Darkness Fall" trumphally and "The Charge of Lee's Brigade" a rewrite of the Charge of the Light Brigade with Robert E. Lee improving the result.

Steve Stirling has now been writing science fiction and fantasy for over 20 years. In one easily accessible book, he has drawn together short stories originally written for various magazines. Fans of his may well have read most of these, over the years. The earliest stories in this collection show that even 20 years ago, his writing abilities were formidable. Including a specialisation in military SF. There is a slight jarring note to one of these, written in 1986. The Cold War still ran then, and the story is set 10 years in the future, 1996. When the US and the Soviet Union go to a hot war. Now, that story sits in alternate history to us. Also, to its first readers, 1996 was a future. But we are as far from it in time as it was from those early readers. Another story, about interdimensional travel, and written before the Draka books, has a female character and predilictions that are a clear precursor of the Draka female. You can see this thread running thru Stirling's works.