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Drake, David (David Drake)
When you think of military science fiction, a genre brimming with gritty battles and rugged soldiers, one name is bound to crash-land in an escape pod right in front of you – David Drake.
David, dear readers, is not your ordinary purveyor of tales of galactic combat. Oh no, he's the guy who makes Sun Tzu’s ‘Art of War’ look like a children’s bedtime story.
Picture this: Drake’s Hammer’s Slammers series, where hovering tanks reign supreme and making a career choice to be a mercenary seems as natural as choosing a brand of space toothpaste. But wait! These tanks don’t just hover; they glide with the grace of a ballet dancer and hit with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. War is an art, after all.
And it's not just about tanks and blasters. The "Republic of Cinnabar Navy" series makes space opera and naval warfare have a baby. This baby grows up in zero gravity, singing shanties in binary code while astronavigating through black holes. It’s Horatio Hornblower in space, with more cosmic rum and star-plasma cannons.
But here’s where things get intriguing. David Drake has a soft spot for ancient Rome. His "Belisarius" series, co-written with Eric Flint, takes us back to the Byzantine Empire where a cyborg from the future aids General Belisarius in repelling alien invasions. Yes, you heard that right. It’s as if a history textbook got caught in a transporter beam with a stack of comic books.
And don't get me started on "The Lord of the Isles" series. It’s like David Drake accidentally wandered into a fantasy convention and thought, “Hmm, maybe I’ll dabble in magic and monsters.” But, of course, being Drake, he doesn't just dabble – he conquers, with a nine-book epic that makes you wonder if he’s using ancient scrolls as source material.
What’s the secret sauce in Drake’s recipe for engaging military science fiction? Well, not only does he have the storytelling skills of an ancient bard, but he also has the uncanny ability to make you feel like you’re in the trenches (or spaceship corridors) with his characters. Every laser blast, every magical spell, every clank of a Roman sword is up close and personal.
So if you have an insatiable appetite for interstellar warfare with a dash of ancient history and a sprinkle of high fantasy, look no further than the pages of David Drake’s novels. Fasten your power armor, and get ready to charge into the fray. Just remember to bring a Roman shield and a wizard’s staff. You know, just in case. You can search the Nest for articles on Drake, David (David Drake) over at https://www.SFcrowsnest.info/tag/David-Drake
