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Simon Recommends
The Excalibur Alternative
I grew up reading science fiction, mostly the huge collection of 1950s sci-fi books I inherited from my father. It's a taste that has never gone away. Once in a while a book will come along that reminds me of those halcyon days of space adventure. The Excalibur Alternative is one of these books. It plays on the classic space opera traditions of Galatic Federations, plucky earthmen and people lost far from home.
Weber is also very good at keeping the story going, at points in the narrative the viewpoint jumps to the next important point leaving gaps of years were though stuff happens it's not of import to the ongoing plot. Thus the story keeps you turning the page, eager to see how things progress. The plot revolves around a group of English Longbowmen from the 100 years wars kidnappped and forced into servitude by technologicaly advanced yet morally bankrupt aliens. This is not a book of subtlety, you know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are but it doesn't fall into the traps this can bring. The hero is well depicted, he is a caring man and a warrior, he wories about his men and loves and respects his wife, you can't help but like the guy.
It's not high literature but it is a fun read and ends on a good note. There is also definite Roleplaying campaign potential here, which is always something I look for. Follow the links for the first three chapters of the book from the Baen website.