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Product Description
Controlled by tireless electronic brains, programmed to admit no possibility of defeat, the gigantic robot tanks known as Bolos are almost indestructible, and nearly unstoppable. Their artificial intelligences is designed to make them selfless servants and protector of humanity throughout the galaxy and to make each Bolo the moral epitome of a brave and upright knight of yore - and often far more noble than the humans who give them their orders. Created by Keith Laumer, the saga of the Bolos has now been extended by some of the best writers in science fiction, all of whom were profoundly inspired in their own work by Laumer''s original Bolo tales. Now, the best stories of this legendary saga of creation and collaboration are collected in one volume, including work by New York Times bestselling writers David Weber, Mercedes Lackey, and S. M. Stirling, military science fiction grand master David Drake, and Laumer himself, who recount the exploits of the dauntless Bolos in three classic novellas.
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6 reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
The Best of the Bolos?
28 July 2010
Format:Paperback
Their Finest Hour (2010) is a selection of stories about the Bolos created by Keith Laumer. This volume contains ten stories by Laumer and other writers, an Introduction, and a timeline. All these stories have been published in previous collections or anthologies.
- "Introduction" (2010) by David Weber tells something about Laumer and the origins of the Bolo fighting machines and about the role of the Bolos in SF literature.
- "Combat Unit" (F&SF, 1960) by Keith Laumer describes the actions of a Bolo captured by the enemy.
- "Lost Legion" (1993) by S. M. Sterling features an early model Bolo engaged in jungle warfare.
- "A Time to Kill" (1997) by David Weber involves a damaged Bolo in a later conflict between humans and Melconians.
- "Operation Desert Fox" (1993) by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon deals with a Bolo and his commander who both admire Erwin Rommel.
- "The Last Command" (Analog, 1966) by Keith Laumer confronts a group of construction workers with a highly radioactive Bolo awakened within a disposal area.
- "Little Dog Gone" (1995) by Linda Evans examines the friendship between a teenage girl and a damaged Bolo.
- "As Our Strength Lessens" (1993) by David Drake confronts a Bolo with a very different technology.
- "The Traitor" (1997) by David Weber recounts the pursuit of a Bolo who betrayed his unit.
- "A Relic of War" (Analog, 1969) by Keith Laumer explains why an abandoned Bolo took off on his own.
- "Hold Until Relieved" (1997) by William H. Keith, Jr., concerns some future persons finding a Bolo in an archaeological dig.
- "A Brief Technical History of the Bolos" (1995) by David Weber presents a timeline for various Bolo models and developments. Since Laumer had many inconsistencies within his stories, this document is only a guideline.
The Bolos -- and even earlier armored vehicles -- were treated as animate objects long before they became self-aware. Yet intelligence in the Bolos was much different than human intelligence from the start. As the Introduction states, Bolos had the virtues to which many humans only aspired, including duty, honor and loyalty to humanity. Even the later Bolos displayed these virtues unless badly damaged.
The intelligent loyalty of Bolos captured the respect and even love of their commanders. Bolos are much like the Knights of the Round Table, but even more loyal. These stories grab the imagination of readers like few other tales.
These stories are only a few of the Bolo tales available from Laumer and other writers. The definitive collection of Bolo short stories by Laumer is The Compleat Bolo. Laumer also expanded "The Night of the Trolls" (Worlds of Tomorrow, 1963) into the novel The Stars Must Wait.
In addition to this volume, the Bolo universe now includes six anthologies -- starting with Honor of the Regiment -- and six novels. Three novels are by William H. Keith, two are by David Weber, and one is by John Ringo & Linda Evans.
These stories were selected by Hank Davis. They may not be your favorites, but they ARE among the best. Read and enjoy!
Highly recommended for Bolo fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of artificial intelligence, armor tactics, and machine perseverance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
- "Introduction" (2010) by David Weber tells something about Laumer and the origins of the Bolo fighting machines and about the role of the Bolos in SF literature.
- "Combat Unit" (F&SF, 1960) by Keith Laumer describes the actions of a Bolo captured by the enemy.
- "Lost Legion" (1993) by S. M. Sterling features an early model Bolo engaged in jungle warfare.
- "A Time to Kill" (1997) by David Weber involves a damaged Bolo in a later conflict between humans and Melconians.
- "Operation Desert Fox" (1993) by Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon deals with a Bolo and his commander who both admire Erwin Rommel.
- "The Last Command" (Analog, 1966) by Keith Laumer confronts a group of construction workers with a highly radioactive Bolo awakened within a disposal area.
- "Little Dog Gone" (1995) by Linda Evans examines the friendship between a teenage girl and a damaged Bolo.
- "As Our Strength Lessens" (1993) by David Drake confronts a Bolo with a very different technology.
- "The Traitor" (1997) by David Weber recounts the pursuit of a Bolo who betrayed his unit.
- "A Relic of War" (Analog, 1969) by Keith Laumer explains why an abandoned Bolo took off on his own.
- "Hold Until Relieved" (1997) by William H. Keith, Jr., concerns some future persons finding a Bolo in an archaeological dig.
- "A Brief Technical History of the Bolos" (1995) by David Weber presents a timeline for various Bolo models and developments. Since Laumer had many inconsistencies within his stories, this document is only a guideline.
The Bolos -- and even earlier armored vehicles -- were treated as animate objects long before they became self-aware. Yet intelligence in the Bolos was much different than human intelligence from the start. As the Introduction states, Bolos had the virtues to which many humans only aspired, including duty, honor and loyalty to humanity. Even the later Bolos displayed these virtues unless badly damaged.
The intelligent loyalty of Bolos captured the respect and even love of their commanders. Bolos are much like the Knights of the Round Table, but even more loyal. These stories grab the imagination of readers like few other tales.
These stories are only a few of the Bolo tales available from Laumer and other writers. The definitive collection of Bolo short stories by Laumer is The Compleat Bolo. Laumer also expanded "The Night of the Trolls" (Worlds of Tomorrow, 1963) into the novel The Stars Must Wait.
In addition to this volume, the Bolo universe now includes six anthologies -- starting with Honor of the Regiment -- and six novels. Three novels are by William H. Keith, two are by David Weber, and one is by John Ringo & Linda Evans.
These stories were selected by Hank Davis. They may not be your favorites, but they ARE among the best. Read and enjoy!
Highly recommended for Bolo fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of artificial intelligence, armor tactics, and machine perseverance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
This is where to start
1 Aug 2010
Format:Paperback
I have been mesmerized by the Bolos since I read "Relic of War" in '69,
then my prized "Bolos,Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade" in '76.I carried that fascination into service as a USMC Tanker,and yes,there is something very special about Tanks,and Bolos still give me a special "rush" whenever mentioned,or a new story appears. This book is great for the Newbie,giving a taste of what is available.For the diehard Bolo fan,perhaps there is a story you don't have that appears here? Even though Laumer has passed on,the stories still grow,and David Weber has done magnificent Bolo work,"Miles to Go" still leaves me choked even after many readings.
Buy the book,and enjoy!!!
then my prized "Bolos,Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade" in '76.I carried that fascination into service as a USMC Tanker,and yes,there is something very special about Tanks,and Bolos still give me a special "rush" whenever mentioned,or a new story appears. This book is great for the Newbie,giving a taste of what is available.For the diehard Bolo fan,perhaps there is a story you don't have that appears here? Even though Laumer has passed on,the stories still grow,and David Weber has done magnificent Bolo work,"Miles to Go" still leaves me choked even after many readings.
Buy the book,and enjoy!!!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Who is the target audience?
24 Nov 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
No new material in here except for David Weber's forward. And there is nothing in the product description that says it's all old stuff recycled It wasn't until I received the book and then flipped through that I realized that came here to gripe and found out that info in another review. Although I did see in the picture that it does say "Best of the Bolos" Rather than buying this you should just buy Bolos 1-6. I've got to give it a below average because that's all it really is, a rehash of previous material. The last Bolo book came out 8 years ago. Surely Baen has enough authors that they could write enough material for a new book.
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