Keith Laumer

 One of my friends recommended I get into the work of John Keith Laumer (June 9, 1925 – January 23, 1993).

He was an American science fiction author. He was a officer in the US airforce and a diplomat in the US foreign service

Laumer was a prolific author, best known for his Bolo, Imperium and Retief stories.

Bolo covers intelligent tanks.

Retief covers the adventures of a spacefaring diplomat.

Laumer's other adventures often included the subjects of time travel and alternate worlds.

 A Plague of Demons (1965) received a nomination for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966.

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Bolo

Books concerning the Bolo self-aware, sentient and highly advanced tanks. These Bolo tanks are intelligent war machines designed to protect humanity, often sacrificing themselves in the process. The series is notable for exploring themes of duty, sacrifice, and the ethical implications of autonomous weapons.

The Bolo tanks are equipped with sophisticated artificial intelligence, making them capable of independent thought and decision-making. They are designed to serve and protect humanity, often with a strong sense of loyalty and honor.

The Bolo series is set in a future where interstellar warfare is common. The Bolo tanks are a crucial part of humanity's defense against various alien threats and other adversaries.

An interesting theme is Ethical AI: The series delves into the moral implications of creating intelligent machines designed for warfare, exploring the balance between their programmed duty and their evolving consciousness.

The Bolo series has left a significant mark on the military science fiction genre. Laumer's portrayal of intelligent war machines has influenced various other works in science fiction, including literature, movies, and video games. The ethical considerations and heroic narratives of the Bolo tanks resonate with readers and prompt reflection on the future of artificial intelligence in warfare.

Keith Laumer's Bolo series remains a celebrated and thought-provoking contribution to science fiction, offering a blend of action, deep philosophical questions, and compelling storytelling.

+ Bolo: Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade (1976)

   This collection of short stories introduces readers to the Bolo tanks and their various missions. 

   It sets the stage for the complex relationships between Bolos and their human commanders.

+ Rogue Bolo (1986)

+ The Stars Must Wait (1990)

+ The Compleat Bolo (1990) (includes Bolo and Rogue Bolo)

+ "Bolo: The Starcrossed" (1999): This novel, co-written with other authors, continues to explore the adventures and sacrifices of Bolo tanks in interstellar conflicts.

+ "Bolo Brigade" (1997): This book features a particular Bolo tank, Unit Bolo XX, and its mission to defend a human colony from a relentless alien threat.

+ "Bolo Rising" (2004): Another installment in the series, this novel focuses on the resurgence of the Bolo tanks as a pivotal force in humanity's survival.

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Retief

The adventures of Jame Retief, the galactic diplomat. 

These are satirical science fiction stories centered around the character Jame Retief, a skilled and resourceful diplomat working for the Corps Diplomatique Terrestrienne (CDT). The series is known for its humor, biting satire, and critique of bureaucracy and diplomacy.

They often poke fun at the inefficiencies and absurdities of bureaucratic organizations, diplomatic missions, and political maneuvering.

The series is set in a future where humanity interacts with a wide range of alien species and civilizations. Retief's missions take him to various exotic planets, where he navigates complex diplomatic challenges with wit and ingenuity.

+ Envoy to New Worlds (1963) (see Retief Unbound (1979)) later expanded as Retief: Envoy to New Worlds (1987)

 This is the first collection of Retief stories, introducing readers to the titular character and his unorthodox methods of diplomacy. The stories establish the series' satirical tone and recurring themes.

+ Galactic Diplomat (1965)

+ Retief's War (1966) (n)

   One of the first full-length novels in the series, it follows Retief as he deals with a 

   rebellion on the planet Petrovia, showcasing his ability to outthink and outmaneuver

   both enemies and bureaucratic superiors.

+ Retief and the Warlords (1968) (n)

   This novel sees Retief tackling a crisis involving warlords on the planet Quopp. 

   It highlights his strategic acumen and willingness to bend (or break) the rules to 

   achieve a just outcome.

   

+ Retief: ambassador to space; seven incidents of the Corps diplomatique terrestrienne (1969)

+ Retief of the CDT (1971)

+ Retief's Ransom (1971) (n)

+ Retief: Emissary to the Stars (1975)

+ Retief at Large (1978)

   Another collection of short stories, this book further explores Retief's adventures 

   and the absurdities of interstellar diplomacy.

   

+ Retief Unbound (1979) (inc Retief's Ransom and five of the six stories from Envoy to New Worlds) (see Retief: Envoy to New Worlds (1987))

   his compilation includes some of the most memorable Retief stories, 

   emphasizing his confrontations with both alien adversaries and his own organization's red tape.

+ Retief: Diplomat at Arms (1982) (revised version of Galactic Diplomat)

+ Retief to the Rescue (1983) (n)

+ The Return of Retief (1984) (n)

+ Retief in the Ruins (1986) (three stories, two original including the title story)

+ Retief and the Pangalactic Pageant of Pulchritude (1986) (including Retief's Ransom and the original title story)

+ Retief: Envoy to New Worlds (1987) (Envoy to New Worlds plus one story) (see also Retief Unbound)

+Reward for Retief (1989) (n)

+Retief and the Rascals (1993) (n)

+Retief! (posthumous, ed. Eric Flint) (2002) (Envoy to New Worlds, Galactic Diplomat, Retief's War, plus the first Retief story, "Diplomat-at-Arms" (1960))

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Imperium

Keith Laumer's Imperium series is a fascinating blend of science fiction and alternate history, revolving around the concept of parallel universes. The series primarily follows Brion Bayard, an American who becomes an agent for the Imperium, an interdimensional organization based in an alternate reality where the Roman Empire never fell and has continued to evolve technologically and politically.

The central premise involves the existence of multiple parallel universes, each with its own distinct history and development. The Imperium has the ability to travel between these worlds and influence events across dimensions.

The protagonist, Brion Bayard, is a skilled and resourceful agent of the Imperium. Originally from a timeline similar to our own, he becomes deeply involved in the complex politics and missions of the Imperium.

The series explores the intricate and often perilous politics of the Imperium and its interactions with other parallel universes. Themes of power, control, and the ethical implications of interdimensional interference are prominent.

Laumer vividly contrasts the technological advancements and cultural aspects of different parallel worlds, particularly focusing on how the continued existence of the Roman Empire influences the world of the Imperium.

The series delves into the moral and ethical questions surrounding the use of power and influence across dimensions. Bayard often finds himself questioning the actions and motives of the Imperium, adding depth to his character and the narrative.

+ Worlds of the Imperium (1962)

This is the first book in the series, introducing Brion Bayard and the concept of the Imperium. Bayard is kidnapped by agents from an alternate universe and brought to the Imperium, where he becomes embroiled in a plot to prevent a war between dimensions.

+ The Other Side of Time (1965)

In this sequel, Bayard continues his adventures across parallel worlds, dealing with threats and political intrigues that span multiple dimensions.

+ Assignment in Nowhere (1968)

This novel further expands on Bayard's role within the Imperium, delving deeper into the challenges and ethical dilemmas he faces as an agent navigating the complexities of interdimensional affairs.

+ Beyond the Imperium (omnibus edition of The Other Side of Time and Assignment in Nowhere) (1981)

This later installment in the series explores new dimensions and presents Bayard with fresh challenges, emphasizing the expansive and ever-evolving nature of the multiverse.

+ Zone Yellow (1990)

+ Imperium (omnibus edition of Worlds of the Imperium, Assignment in Nowhere and The Other Side of Time, ed. Eric Flint) (2005)