IanBruntlett
Emperor Mongoose
I've got a copy of the Traveller Hammer's Slammers book and would like to know which Hammer's Slammers novels do I need to read and in what order?
Hammer's Slammers - which novels
- Thread starter IanBruntlett
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FreeTrav
Cosmic Mongoose
IanBruntlett said:
Baen Books is coming out with omnibus volumes of the Slammers; the first one is already available; the second will be available in February 2010. I'd go with those, as it seems that actually finding the complete series in individual dead tree editions is something of a project.
If you don't mind ebooks, you can get the omnibi for $6 each from http://www.webscriptions.net.
Rikki Tikki Traveller
Cosmic Mongoose
Baen also has a Free Library where you can download several of the Slammers books (2-3 I think). That might be a good start and the price is right.
I've read about half of the books. I don't think it is very important the order you read them in. Most of the books include several short stories. There are only a few novels or novelettes. Having read half the books, there are only a couple characters I can think of off the top of my head that appear throughout the series (Colonel Hammer, then only briefly, and his bodyguard). Most are new characters and stories set throughout the Hammer universe so it doesn't matter much what order you read them.
Supplement Four
Mongoose
I'm a Hammer's fan, having read most of the stories.
There really is no specific chronology that is mandatory for reading pleasure. I'd say to read Hammer's Slammers first, the first collection of short stories, because it includes a beginning and an end to the Slammers era. There's an origin story detailing how the Hammers came into existence, and there's a story detailing how Colonel Hammer became President Hammer. I think all of the Hammers stories takes place between those two points.
A main character in one story may show up as a minor character in another story, but, for the most part, you'll follow the adventures of different characters with no real clue as to where that story fits in an overall timeline. There are about three characters that show up consistently, but not in every story, including Col. Hammer. Most stories are about the regiments officers and sometimes about the enlisted men.
The Sharp End is notable because it is a novel, not a short story, and the reader can tell that the story takes place late in the timeline, if there was one.
If I were you, I'd read whatever Hammers book you could get your hands on and disregard the order.
Or...if you must, the Baen omnibuses are supposed to be in a chronological order as set by David Drake, himself. And, I think he included a new story in each volume.
EDIT Also note that there are a couple of books that take place in the same universe as the Hammers but has nothing to do with the Hammers: Cross the Stars and The Voyage. The first of which is based on The Odyessy, while Voyage is based on Jason and the Argonauts.
There really is no specific chronology that is mandatory for reading pleasure. I'd say to read Hammer's Slammers first, the first collection of short stories, because it includes a beginning and an end to the Slammers era. There's an origin story detailing how the Hammers came into existence, and there's a story detailing how Colonel Hammer became President Hammer. I think all of the Hammers stories takes place between those two points.
A main character in one story may show up as a minor character in another story, but, for the most part, you'll follow the adventures of different characters with no real clue as to where that story fits in an overall timeline. There are about three characters that show up consistently, but not in every story, including Col. Hammer. Most stories are about the regiments officers and sometimes about the enlisted men.
The Sharp End is notable because it is a novel, not a short story, and the reader can tell that the story takes place late in the timeline, if there was one.
If I were you, I'd read whatever Hammers book you could get your hands on and disregard the order.
Or...if you must, the Baen omnibuses are supposed to be in a chronological order as set by David Drake, himself. And, I think he included a new story in each volume.
EDIT Also note that there are a couple of books that take place in the same universe as the Hammers but has nothing to do with the Hammers: Cross the Stars and The Voyage. The first of which is based on The Odyessy, while Voyage is based on Jason and the Argonauts.
Dave Chase
Mongoose
Supp Four is mainly correct, the Hammer Books are not written with a specific chrono order that they need to be read in.
But there are several of the stories that do show a bit of time line via the ages of various returning characters. Also there are 2 two stories that tell the beginning and the end (not like dead end, no more) of the Hammer Slammers with Col Hammer in charge and in the field.
BTW, Hello Sup4. Long time no talk to/with
Dave Chase
But there are several of the stories that do show a bit of time line via the ages of various returning characters. Also there are 2 two stories that tell the beginning and the end (not like dead end, no more) of the Hammer Slammers with Col Hammer in charge and in the field.
BTW, Hello Sup4. Long time no talk to/with
Dave Chase
Supplement Four
Mongoose
GamerDude said:
Drake's writing is a bit of an aquired taste. I tried to read the first anthology, Hammer's Slammers, twice, back in the day--once when I was in high school and once in my early 20's. Both times I crapped out, not liking or "getting" Drake's style.
Then, I tried a third time in my late 20's and found myself engrossed. I've read all the stories a second time since then (although it's been a while...almost 10 years...might be due for a 3rd reading).
FreeTrav said:
They've also got The Tank Lords in the Free Library. It's an earlier collection of Slammers stories and a cheap way to see if you like Drake's style.
Dave Chase
Mongoose
Yup, Drake's style is different than most scifi out there. More of the cut and dried, plus the military sudden rush of events (like combat).
IMO
I also have found several other others that I could hardly read years ago, but now find that I can read them with out my eyes and brain going blank or hurting.
Dave Chase
IMO
I also have found several other others that I could hardly read years ago, but now find that I can read them with out my eyes and brain going blank or hurting.
Dave Chase
