Retief and the Warlords

By far the greatest sci-fi series ever written. Follow James Retief and Ben Magnun on thier action packed, tounge-in-cheek adventures across the galaxy. The Retief series started out as a series of short stories published the various science fiction pulps during the 1950's through to the 1960's. These are classic sci-fi as it was written before the days of the moon landing. All together there were more than 60 stories about Retief's space adventures. In the 1970's after the death of Keith Laumer, editors began to compile collections of these classic pulp fiction stories into a book series. Each collection contains 3 to 5 or more stories. Of the series this (Retief and the Warlords) is my fave! If you like Douglas Adams' Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy than you're sure to love Retief.

I'd match Keith Laumer against Asimov, Heinlein or Clark in the SF arena when he's having a good day and in his Retief books he's at the top of his form. Jame Retief is a minor official in the interstellar diplomatic corps who always makes a major impact wherever he goes. Pulling chestnuts out of fires is his stock in trade. Retief works in a truly Dilbertesque bureucracy where most of the officials have not the slightest iota of common sense. There is no end of derring do and humor in the Retief series. Grab one and find out why. Big Hint. Get the early books. Later on when Retief's first name becomes Jim instead of Jame you'll be in for a let down.