At Any Price

by David Drake

Book Overview

Col. Alois Hammer's indomitable Slammers are called in to support human colonists against a native uprising in this novel-length adventure. But even though the natives' off-world weapons are no match... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671559788
• ISBN13: 9780671559786
• Release Date: September 1985
• Publisher: Baen Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

FROM BACK COVER

A FEW GOOD MEN: ROB JENNE - He was a good boy from a backwoods planet - until he met the recruiting officer from the Slammers. DANNY PRITCHARD - A brilliant officer who had achieved command rank the hard way, through the ranks, he had one fetal flaw - a conscience. SALLY SCHILLING - She was tough as any man - and far meaner then most. JOACHIM STEUBEN - A Killer's Killer, some thought him not even human - he was Hammer's special tool. COLONEL ALOIS HAMMER - He made the Slammers what they were - the meanest, toughest bunch of mercenaries who ever killed for a dollar, or wrecked a world for pay. No one could stand against them. THIS IS THEIR STORY, THE STORY OF HAMMER'S SLAMMERS

Simply the best

I first picked up this volume 20 years ago and it left an impression ever since. Drake has a brutal and realistic angle on why men kill for a living, and these stories convey so strongly the cost and responsibility of war, and the way that responsibility is used by competent leaders and abused by beasts and politicians. And most of all, how the soldiers pay the cost. And it's rocking fun sci-fi too.

Where it all begins...

This book is short stories, starting from when (and why) the Hammer's Slammers were formed to when Colonel Alois Hammer finally came home. These stories show us a little more than later stories of the Hammer himself, a man who is ruthless towards his enemy yet loyal towards his own men (and women). The stories are; But Loyal to His Own, The Butcher's Bill, Under the Hammer, Cultural Conflict, Caught in the Crossfire, Hangman and Standing Down. It also has tiny interludes inbetween the stories that explain a lot about the background of this universe and also has an introduction by Jerry Pournelle.

This collection of short stories is balanced, yet dynamic.

The emotions of warfare are experienced, through narrative, without passing judgment upon the human tendency of waging war. The technical background of the stories is presented between the novelettes. This provides a context for the technical and social issues addressed without interferring with the dramatic flow of the story. I strongly recommend reading this book because Mr. Drake writes a great story. A good book for the traveler, especially during lunch or after supper. Speaking from personal experience. Don't loan this book to anybody, not even your best friend. You probably won't get it back. And it is out of print.

The first of the outstanding Hammer's Slammer's series.

This is a collection of short stories that begin the almos t legendary Hammers Slammers series. It is must reading for any one who loves military science fiction. Mr. Drake has a deep understanding of his material. If any one wants to know the truth of combat and how one must behave to survive this is the book. Many of the technological aspects of his stories are very prescience, considering it was written between 1975 and 1979. His use of computers, digital communications links and instantaneous target aquisition is comming true today. I can't recommend anything better