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Summary: An Allegory of Redemption
Review: Any veteran of Viet Nam (and i don't mean just combat vets like Drake, i mean REMFs like myself) ought to recognise what this story is about; it's about damnation and about people who don't deserve it who were sent to Hell, and about redemption.It's about something we didn't get. "I think my country got a little off-track; took 'em twenty-five years to welcome me back..." (Johnny Cash, "Drive On") It's about the way that people who didn't understand what some of us had been through regarded us... and it's about the only way those people could possibly have been brought to understand that we weren't (quasi-quoting Drake) toxic waste that sometimes explodes without warning; a way that could never actually happen. It's about letting the veteran prove his worth in his own eyes and in the eyes of others; letting him buy back his pride and his sense of himself as a man, and not as just a hunted/hunting animal/killer. It's about admitting that we OWE the people who fight our wars something... if only a little respect. "This is your lucky day -- you been back from 'Nam for only six weeks, and I am gonna do for you what it took someone six *months* to do for me when I came back." "Really? Thanks, brother -- what is it?" "Nothin'. Sign here, please." (Robert Blake as an Arizona motorcycle cop, as he tickets a truck driver, in "ElectraGlide in Blue".) The cover painting for this book -- especially *without* the huge sight-ring that is *not* part of the original painting; Baen Books has a terrible record with regard to cover art and treatment of same -- is one of themost striking i have ever seen illustrating a war story, either "real" or sf war. Simply, almost crudely, rendered, showing the combat-fatigued soldier trying to shield the child's body with his own; onhis face the expression almost of a suffering Christ, his eyes fixed in the "thousand yard stare" of what earlier generations called "combat fatigue", still out there on the front, fighting for what he himself may have almost forgotten... Right there, on that anonymous grunt's face and in his actions, is the theme of sacrifice and damnation and redemption that Drake is playing on in his text. "It don't mean nothin', snake." (David Drake, "Rolling Hot" [reprinted as part of "The Tank Lords"]) This book, at least as i read it, is an attempt to show that that the 'Nam grunts' catchphrase isn't true -- that it *does* mean something and that we *are* worth something. "You owe us, long and heavy is the score..." (Robert W. Service, "The March of the Dead") Society owes its soldiers support and gratitude and help. Sometimes it pays off on those debts. Sometimes it's easier to just ignore the redliners you create. "But it's 'Special train for Atkins!' when the trooper's on the tide..." (Kipling, "The Ballad of Tommy Atkins")
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Summary: An amazing portrait of the Warrior.
Review: As a long time Drake fan, and a career soldier, I was amazed and moved by this book. Redliners shows the effects of combat on the combatants, and includes the distaste felt by the civilians for those same combatants. I can relate to all the attitudes expressed. The characters are extremely well-written, and show a depth that is hard to find in a "War" book. I feel that this should be a required read in a Government, or Social Studies class. Bless you, David Drake.
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Summary: Superb mix of military action, plot and characters
Review: David Does It Again. Breaking away from the standard military plot, David Drake manufacturers a realistic death-world where soldiers who have been pushed over the edge (from being at the front for too long) manage to regain their humanity. Sounds complicated, but David's imagery and ability to unobtrusively convey detail carry the reader from beginning to end with an all encompassing eagerness. This is a must-have. -a
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Summary: one of the best books regarding military veterans ever
Review: David Drake is at the head of a very short list of those who can tell what a vet feels and goes thru. being an army vet myself, and having a good number of vets in my family from several wars, i can tell you that he has outdone himself in portraying the combat vet. he shows the world that vets are people too, not deranged butchers. the fact is that we are trained to react fast or die, and many times in combat, there simply isn't enough time to stop and ask a question. whether draftees or volunteers, everyone in uniform is someone's parent, sibling, spouse, or friend. and we all become as a family unto our own, a bond that remains unbroken for a lifetime. the soldiers of company c-41 are realistic portrayals of what every combat vet knows. this is possibly Drake's best work to date. kudos to the master!
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Summary: Great characters and stunning technology.
Review: David Drake showes a masterfull handle of the genre. He has great technology and characters. The premise is unique and enthralling. I loved this book.
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Summary: Great characters and stunning technology.
Review: David Drake showes a masterfull handle of the genre. He has great technology and characters. The premise is unique and enthralling. I loved this book.
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Summary: Essentially "The Jungle II" -- about as good as the original
Review: Different jungle, similar characters, some new twists to the story. If you liked "The Jungle", you'll like this one as well.
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Summary: The most "human" story I've read in years!
Review: Having spent time in the military and knowing the hopes, dreams and fears of combat vets it is good to see them written as real people, not just a bunch of gun-happy psychos! THis book should be required reading in college. If it were maybe there would be fewer wars and we would treat the men and women who returned from them with a little more gratitude.
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Summary: I wish I could give it 10 stars
Review: I have read all of David Drakes books multiple times - I think this is his best. It is not only good entertainment. It illuminates the relationship that should exist between a society and it's soldiers.
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Summary: What Dave says
Review: I've known Dave since the early 90s. He used to say that the Reaches trilogy was his best book, but since writing Redliners, that's what he points to. He and I both have heard from combat vets about how healing this book is. I put forward that it can help anyone who has suffered any trauma. As Dave says - because it shows 'you're not alone.' Of course, if you aren't into realistic warfare scenes, you wont' be reading Drake. The cover painting says it all.
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