The theme of my collection is military science fiction with an emphasis on martial arts, the cyber-punk sub-genre and varied approaches to this theme. My collection includes numerous books/graphic novels by foreign author’s (principally from Japan) which I believe represent an undervalued sub-genre of books that are generally overlooked in this country. As both an engineer and a student of military history, speculative fiction on the topic of war in the future and the many other themes related to that topic has appealed to me since I was about six or seven years of age.

My actual collection of science fiction novels both as part of this genre and outside of it has given me a lot of pleasure over the years and I continue to add books I consider to be of high quality. In addition, fascinating and intelligent characters are a staple of this genre, which I feel has always been a major point of interest for me in all fictional books. Taking perhaps something as simple as a single idea and transforming that into a believable, compelling portrait of a person with foibles and faults and a history is a pure form of art. My dream has been to write stories like these since I was extremely young. The novels I have collected represent a great deal of study and time in finding stories I consider compelling and insightful and examining what I feel makes these stories so purely enjoyable with the hope that I might someday write something just as entertaining and intelligent.

This is no small task, given the many excellent authors I feel are represented in my collection but I know for a fact that my reading and intense study of numerous and varied writing styles like the ones seen here has led to a decided improvement of my own creative writing. The characters in the novels I have collected are soldiers, prostitutes, cowards, heroes, martyrs, mad-men and above all very human. In addition, many of them are warriors. This is a noble if sometimes tragic occupation, but I have enjoyed reading all of their stories and I hope my interest in such stories that have taken the classic construct of “warrior” and gone to the future with it is obvious. Thank you for your time.

1. Otomo, Katsuhiro, Nagayasu, Takumi. “The Legend of Mother Sarah: Tunnel Town.” Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics, Inc. 1996 First Edition.

This is an example of translated “Manga” imported from Japan. Katsuhiro Otomo is probably best known for his extremely renowned work “Akira” which has been translated for English audiences and eventually adapted for a full length animated movie. Legend of Mother Sarah itself is another critically acclaimed serialized story which received a Parent’s Choice Award in 1995. The story chronicles a mother’s search for her children after massive ecological damage has reduced the Earth to a nuclear-radiated wasteland. The waste and ultimate futility of war and greed are explored thoroughly in this collection of the first part of the series.

2. Shirow, Masamune. “Appleseed: The Promethean Challenge.” Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics, Inc. 1995 Second Edition.

Another example of an extremely well done translated series from Japan. Masamune Shirow himself is widely regarded as one of the pre-eminent artists and science-fiction storytellers in this genre. The Appleseed series itself is concerned mainly with the effect of warfare and terrorism as seen from a Utopian society constructed after a Third and Fourth World Wars. Similar themes to those in “Brave New World” are apparent and the story-telling is still startling and original even a full decade after the stories were initially written. This series of stories initially won the Seiun-Sho award (Japan’s equivalent of the Hugo award for Science Fiction) soon after its release.

3. Shirow, Masamune. “Appleseed: Prometheus Unbound.” Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics, Inc. 1995 Second Edition.

The continuing saga of two members of an elite military unit in the future Utopian Society of “Olympus.” Advanced technology and the effect of continued advancement and development on the human race are central themes.

4. Shirow, Masamune. “Appleseed: The Scales of Prometheus.” Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics, Inc. 1995 Second Edition.

The continuing saga of two members of an elite military unit in the future Utopian Society of “Olympus.” Themes of militant Islamic Jihad and terrorism using advanced technology are evident here years before history has shown us the effect of such extremism.

5. Shirow, Masamune. “Appleseed: The Promethean Balance.” Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics, Inc. 1995 Second Edition.

The continuing saga of two members of an elite military unit in the future Utopian Society of “Olympus.” Vast sociopolitical themes set behind the backdrop of terrorism and espionage.

6. Shirow, Masamune. “Ghost in the Shell” Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics, Inc. December 1995 First Edition.

“Ghost in the Shell” is perhaps Shirow’s best known work excluding the “Appleseed” series. The story has been adapted into a well-known animated movie, which has gained favorable attention in America. The effects of massive advances in computer technology and biotechnology has resulted in powerful cyborg’s possessing super-human abilities at the cost of a significant portion of their humanity. The very definition of human/machine is an on-going theme along with military-conflict and espionage involving changing politics and criminal factions.

7. Heinlein, Robert A. “Friday” New York: Random House, Inc. August 1983.

Heinlein’s warmly humorous and thoroughly enjoyable book about a future female warrior/courier living in a Balkanized America. Strong female characters and action/espionage make this a lot of fun to read.

8. Drake, David. “The Sharp End” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. December 1994, First Paperback Printing.

Hard military science fiction about the future armored mercenary regiment “Hammer’s Slammer’s.” Based on the author’s own experiences in Vietnam, this book deals with a survey team dispatched to look for business for the mercenary regiment. Highly focused and intense style with well-developed characters.

9. Drake, David. “Rolling Hot” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. October 1990.

Hard military science fiction about the future armored mercenary regiment “Hammer’s Slammer’s.” Based on the author’s own experiences in Vietnam, this story recounts a sci-fi situation similar to the Tet Offensive. Very intense.

10. Drake, David. “Counting the Cost” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. March 1991.

Hard military science fiction about the future armored mercenary regiment “Hammer’s Slammer’s.” This story deals with a religious revolt on a distant planet and the Infantry Company ordered to put it down.

11. Drake, David. “At Any Price” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. May 1991.
Hard military science fiction about the future armored mercenary regiment “Hammer’s Slammer’s.” This is a collection of three stories ranging from an interrogation of an enemy soldier to a two-man team of soldiers who are ordered to help an inexperienced officer finish a devestating war against an alien enemy that can teleport into battle.

12. Drake, David. “The Warrior” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. May 1991 First Edition.

Another set of stories surrounding a dangerous member of the mercenary regiment and the price of victory.

13. Osbourne, Cary “Iroshi” New York, NY: Ace Books. November 1995. First Edition

Very martial arts based fictional piece involving Kendo (the ancient Japanese Way of the Sword) and Alien intelligence. Surprising and intricate.

14. Drake, David. “Hammer’s Slammers” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. March 1986.

The compilation of original stories that began this series of books by the above author. Each details history and battles of the Mercenary Regiment led by Colonel Alois Hammer. Extremely vivid and engaging stories.

15. Williams, Walter Jon. “Hardwired” New York, NY: Tom Doherty Associates. April 1987. First Edition

Cyber-punk genre story involving espionage and warfare between smugglers and orbital corporate blocks in the far future.

16. Bill Fawcett and Associates “BOLOS: Book 1, Honor of the Regiment” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. September 1993. First Edition

First book, a compilation of story’s based on Keith Laumer’s “BOLOS” massive robotic tanks that defend humanity from all alien attacker’s. Wide depth of topics and approach’s to this idea make for interesting reading.

17. Bill Fawcett and Associates “BOLOS: Book 5, Old Guard” Riverdale NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. February 2001. First Edition

Most recent book, compilation of story’s based on Keith Laumer’s “BOLOS” massive robotic tanks that defend humanity from all alien foes. Wide range of stories again is interesting and fun reading.

18. Perry Steve “The Man Who Never Missed” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. August 1985. First Edition
Perry blends future martial arts with sci-fi epic warfare in this account of a revolt against a galactic confederacy begun by one man. The story of a highly trained warrior who makes himself a martyr to begin the process of destroying the corrupt confederate government.

19. Perry Steve “Matadora” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. February 1986. First Edition

This book continues the story started in the original and brings in strong supporting characters that were introduced in the first book. Excellent martial arts action and enjoyable plot make this book hard to put down.

20. Perry Steve “The Machiavelli Interface” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. July1986. First Edition

The final book in what was originally a simple trilogy, this book details the results of the galaxy wide revolt started by the original character and his companions. Strong meshing of complicated plot developments and details. Epic story.

21. Perry Steve “The Albino Knife” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. July 1991. First Edition

Fourth novel detailling new adventures for the main character of this series many years after the successful revolt he began. Many new characters introduced and old ones refined and developed further, very entertaining.

22. Perry, Steve “Black Steel” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. February 1992. First Edition

Continuing the tradition of writing a book focusing on the story of each one of his primary characters, Perry produces another action-packed story involving the same universe.

23. Perry, Steve and Reaves, Michael “The Omega Cage” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. April 1988. First Edition

An unusual collaborative effort that involves totally new characters some of who were introduced in an earlier boom in Perry’s “Matador” series. Escape from a supposedly impregnable galactic prison with the usual craft and detail expected from this series.

24. Perry, Steve “The 97th Step” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. December 1989. First Edition

The story that began the entire series told to illustrate the life of the mentor to the main character from “The Man Who Never Missed.” Usual martial arts and fascinating twists and turns in the plots.

25. Perry Steve “Brother Death” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. December 1992. First Edition

Most recent novel in the “Matador” series. Another strong focus on a main character from earlier in the series with lots of technology, martial arts and plot twists. Fun and enjoyable story like the other ones in the series.

26. McCaffrey Anne and Moon Elizabeth “Sassinak” Riverdale, NY: Baen Publishing Enterprises. December 1991.

First novel in the “Planet Pirates” series by the above author’s. Strong female characters predominate in this novel about a future war against space pirates. Surprising ending.

27. Gibson, William “Neuromancer” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. July 1984. First Edition

Seminal Cyberpunk genre novel about a “Cowboy” on a mission to liberate an artificial intelligence from its confines in cyberspace. Has to be read to be adequately described.

28. Harrison, Harry “The Adventures of the Stainless Steel Rat” New York, NY. The Berkley Publishing Group. April 1987.

Harrison brings his wonderful sense of humor to this story about an intergalactic criminal with a flair for the dramatic who now works as a government agent to stop the same type of people he used to be. Very funny and action-packed book. Not many people can write a book in this way.