"The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/

"The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."

"These novels were all published in the 21st century."

Out of the 23 books, I have read:
#17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
#10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
#9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
#8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
#3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
#1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells

The list is missing an Honor Harrington book and a Safehold book, both
by David Weber.

Lynn

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 9:53:29 AM UTC+11, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>
> https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>
> "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
> and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
> interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
> involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>
> "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>
> Out of the 23 books, I have read:
> #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
> #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
> #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
> #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
> #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells

On the Ringo:

"Earth is introduced to extraterrestrial life by the Galactics, who tell world leaders that an invasion by another alien race, the Posleen, is coming, and they are bringing with them a terrible book cover."

LOL!

-Moriarty

On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 7:50:17 PM UTC-4, Moriarty wrote:
> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 9:53:29 AM UTC+11, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> > "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
> >
> > https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
> >
> > "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
> > and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
> > interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
> > involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
> >
> > "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
> >
> > Out of the 23 books, I have read:
> > #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
> > #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
> > #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
> > #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
> > #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
> > #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
> On the Ringo:
>
> "Earth is introduced to extraterrestrial life by the Galactics, who tell world leaders that an invasion by another alien race, the Posleen, is coming, and they are bringing with them a terrible book cover."
>
> LOL!
>

Ha! That is indeed funny.

I've only read a few of these, but I've greatly enjoyed them:
Ninefox Gambit (and all sequels)
The Praxis (and the first two sequels)
Old Man's War (and the first two sequels)
All You Need Is Kill
All Systems Red (and all sequels)

I understand why it's on this list, but All Systems Red
doesn't feel like military sci-fi to me.

Tony

In article <uh6th3$3dugc$1@dont-email.me>,
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>"The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>
>https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>
>"The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
>and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
>interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
>involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>
>"These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>
>Out of the 23 books, I have read:
>#17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
>#10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>#9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
>#8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
>#3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
>#1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
>
>The list is missing an Honor Harrington book and a Safehold book, both
>by David Weber.
>
>Lynn

I reviewed the Bennis (#21) a while back, and liked it a good bit.
Unfortunately it appears they series has stalled out at book 2.
--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

On 10/23/2023 7:18 PM, Tony Nance wrote:
> On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 7:50:17 PM UTC-4, Moriarty wrote:
>> On Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 9:53:29 AM UTC+11, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>>> "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>>>
>>> https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>>>
>>> "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
>>> and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
>>> interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
>>> involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>>>
>>> "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>>>
>>> Out of the 23 books, I have read:
>>> #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
>>> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>>> #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
>>> #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
>>> #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
>>> #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
>> On the Ringo:
>>
>> "Earth is introduced to extraterrestrial life by the Galactics, who tell world leaders that an invasion by another alien race, the Posleen, is coming, and they are bringing with them a terrible book cover."
>>
>> LOL!
>>
>
> Ha! That is indeed funny.
>
> I've only read a few of these, but I've greatly enjoyed them:
> Ninefox Gambit (and all sequels)
> The Praxis (and the first two sequels)
> Old Man's War (and the first two sequels)
> All You Need Is Kill
> All Systems Red (and all sequels)
>
> I understand why it's on this list, but All Systems Red
> doesn't feel like military sci-fi to me.
>
> Tony

Me too on the All Systems Red.

Lynn

Lynn McGuire wrote:

>On 10/23/2023 7:18 PM, Tony Nance wrote:

>>I understand why it's on this list, but All Systems Red
>>doesn't feel like military sci-fi to me.
>>
>>Tony
>
>Me too on the All Systems Red.

I guess I don't understand why it's on the list. It's a quality book,
but if you're going to have a theme list then stick to it. The
Ancillary series would fit better.

Brian

On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 6:53:29 PM UTC-4, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>
> https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>
> "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
> and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
> interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
> involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>
> "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>
> Out of the 23 books, I have read:
> #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
> #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
> #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
> #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
> #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells

I would have thought that the "Praxis" novels were your sort of thing.

The commentary implies that the list maker has not read the Praxis novels.

Martinez is "of low birth" to the same extent that a very rich English baron
from the north ranked low in the House of Lords back when it was a power.

In other words, ahead of 99.99% of the population.

William Hyde

>
> The list is missing an Honor Harrington book and a Safehold book, both
> by David Weber.
>
> Lynn

On 10/24/2023 3:56 PM, William Hyde wrote:
> On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 6:53:29 PM UTC-4, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>> "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>>
>> https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>>
>> "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
>> and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
>> interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
>> involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>>
>> "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>>
>> Out of the 23 books, I have read:
>> #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
>> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>> #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
>> #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
>> #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
>> #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
>
> I would have thought that the "Praxis" novels were your sort of thing.
>
> The commentary implies that the list maker has not read the Praxis novels.
>
> Martinez is "of low birth" to the same extent that a very rich English baron
> from the north ranked low in the House of Lords back when it was a power.
>
> In other words, ahead of 99.99% of the population.
>
> William Hyde
>
>>
>> The list is missing an Honor Harrington book and a Safehold book, both
>> by David Weber.
>>
>> Lynn

Contrary to some opinions, I don't have a thing. I like Science Fiction
and Fantasy. Those two genres and the intersection of them covers more
books than I could read in a dozen lifetimes.

Lynn

On 10/24/2023 5:26 PM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> On 10/24/2023 3:56 PM, William Hyde wrote:
>> On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 6:53:29 PM UTC-4, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>>> "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>>>
>>> https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>>>
>>> "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
>>> and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
>>> interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
>>> involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>>>
>>> "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>>>
>>> Out of the 23 books, I have read:
>>> #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
>>> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>>> #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
>>> #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
>>> #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
>>> #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
>>
>> I would have thought that the "Praxis" novels were your sort of thing.
>>
>> The commentary implies that the list maker has not read the Praxis
>> novels.
>>
>> Martinez is "of low birth" to the same extent that a very rich English
>> baron
>> from the north ranked low in the House of Lords back when it was a power.
>>
>> In other words, ahead of 99.99% of the population.
>>
>> William Hyde
>>
>>>
>>> The list is missing an Honor Harrington book and a Safehold book, both
>>> by David Weber.
>>>
>>> Lynn
>
> Contrary to some opinions, I don't have a thing.  I like Science Fiction
> and Fantasy.  Those two genres and the intersection of them covers more
> books than I could read in a dozen lifetimes.
>
> Lynn

Wait, I really do not like Steampunk. And Alternate History kinda bores
me if it is not done really well.

Lynn

On 2023-10-24, Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 10/24/2023 3:56 PM, William Hyde wrote:
>> On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 6:53:29 PM UTC-4, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>>> "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>>>
>>> https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>>>
>>> "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
>>> and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
>>> interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
>>> involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>>>
>>> "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>>>
>>> Out of the 23 books, I have read:
>>> #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
>>> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>>> #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
>>> #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
>>> #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
>>> #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
>>
>> I would have thought that the "Praxis" novels were your sort of thing.
>>
>> The commentary implies that the list maker has not read the Praxis novels.
>>
>> Martinez is "of low birth" to the same extent that a very rich English baron
>> from the north ranked low in the House of Lords back when it was a power.
>>
>> In other words, ahead of 99.99% of the population.
>>
>> William Hyde
>>
>>>
>>> The list is missing an Honor Harrington book and a Safehold book, both
>>> by David Weber.
>>>
>>> Lynn
>
> Contrary to some opinions, I don't have a thing. I like Science Fiction
> and Fantasy. Those two genres and the intersection of them covers more
> books than I could read in a dozen lifetimes.

Nonsense. We all "have a thing". You like action-oriented novels with
concrete goals. I like character-driven novels with emotional impact.
You consider _City_ near the bottom of your preferences; I consider it a
Favorite. You consider Webber near the top of your preferences; I consider
him to be a competent author (until he became uneditable) and stopped
reading him after 15-20 novels, none of which approached Favorite status.

A lot of people here like urban fantasy and you like apocalyptic
novels; I don't care for either near-future genre in general; it's too
difficult to get "right" (IMO, of course) - too often characters or
society wouldn't behave like that! On the other hand, I can accept
the most ridiculous premises (industry based on elephant-driven springs in
a serious novel???) as long as what follows is consistent; many people
don't like that.

The appeal of this group is that we *do* have different "things" and we
are serious about them. We have the opportunity to hear about the best
of different areas that we are not the familiar with as well as books
categorized as another sub-genre but nonetheless also has something
that we would like. That's valuable!
--
Chris

On 2023-10-23, Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:

> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos

That is an interestingly rare case of somebody writing fiction in
their second language. (Kloos is German and appears to have moved
to the US only as an adult.)

--
Christian "naddy" Weisgerber naddy@mips.inka.de

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2:30:09 PM UTC+1, Christian Weisgerber wrote:
> On 2023-10-23, Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
> That is an interestingly rare case of somebody writing fiction in
> their second language. (Kloos is German and appears to have moved
> to the US only as an adult.)
>
> --
> Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de
I think Sarah Hoyt is another example, and by searching on YouTube I find she has a very noticeable accent when speaking English, although she is reasonably comprehensible (hypocrisy alert - I have a noticeable N.Irish accent which is usually comprehensible, although I did once say a word and find that at least three other people in the group thought that they had heard something else, all different). I believe Conrad is the outstanding literary example.

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 1:44:48 PM UTC-4, Andrew McDowell wrote:
> On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2:30:09 PM UTC+1, Christian Weisgerber wrote:
> > On 2023-10-23, Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
> > That is an interestingly rare case of somebody writing fiction in
> > their second language. (Kloos is German and appears to have moved
> > to the US only as an adult.)
> >
> > --
> > Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de
> I think Sarah Hoyt is another example, and by searching on YouTube I find she has a very noticeable accent when speaking English, although she is reasonably comprehensible (hypocrisy alert - I have a noticeable N.Irish accent which is usually comprehensible, although I did once say a word and find that at least three other people in the group thought that they had heard something else, all different). I believe Conrad is the outstanding literary example.

English, I believe, was Conrad's fifth language. He was naturally fluent in Polish, but also in French at a young age. His Russian was
said to be serviceable and according to his son he was easily able to communicate in German. He learned some Latin and Greek
in school, but how fluent he was is not known (at least to me). Then he learned English.

Nabokov wrote in English for most of his career. His earlier published works were in Russian, but apparently his first writings as a child
were in English - the family was trilingual in Russian, French, and English..

William Hyde

On 10/25/2023 7:32 AM, Chris Buckley wrote:
> On 2023-10-24, Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On 10/24/2023 3:56 PM, William Hyde wrote:
>>> On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 6:53:29 PM UTC-4, Lynn McGuire wrote:
>>>> "The Best Modern Military Science Fiction Books" by Dan Livingston
>>>>
>>>> https://best-sci-fi-books.com/the-best-modern-military-science-fiction-books/
>>>>
>>>> "The best military science fiction isn’t just a bunch of space battles
>>>> and cigar-chomping armed combat (although those are fun). The most
>>>> interesting books also examine what life in the military actually
>>>> involves, and what combat can do to a person’s mind."
>>>>
>>>> "These novels were all published in the 21st century."
>>>>
>>>> Out of the 23 books, I have read:
>>>> #17 "Trading in Danger" by Elizabeth Moon
>>>> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>>>> #9 "Rogue" by Michael Z. Williamson
>>>> #8 "Old Man's War" by John Scalzi
>>>> #3 "A Hymn Before Battle" by John Ringo
>>>> #1 "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells
>>>
>>> I would have thought that the "Praxis" novels were your sort of thing.
>>>
>>> The commentary implies that the list maker has not read the Praxis novels.
>>>
>>> Martinez is "of low birth" to the same extent that a very rich English baron
>>> from the north ranked low in the House of Lords back when it was a power.
>>>
>>> In other words, ahead of 99.99% of the population.
>>>
>>> William Hyde
>>>
>>>>
>>>> The list is missing an Honor Harrington book and a Safehold book, both
>>>> by David Weber.
>>>>
>>>> Lynn
>>
>> Contrary to some opinions, I don't have a thing. I like Science Fiction
>> and Fantasy. Those two genres and the intersection of them covers more
>> books than I could read in a dozen lifetimes.
>
> Nonsense. We all "have a thing". You like action-oriented novels with
> concrete goals. I like character-driven novels with emotional impact.
> You consider _City_ near the bottom of your preferences; I consider it a
> Favorite. You consider Webber near the top of your preferences; I consider
> him to be a competent author (until he became uneditable) and stopped
> reading him after 15-20 novels, none of which approached Favorite status.
>
> A lot of people here like urban fantasy and you like apocalyptic
> novels; I don't care for either near-future genre in general; it's too
> difficult to get "right" (IMO, of course) - too often characters or
> society wouldn't behave like that! On the other hand, I can accept
> the most ridiculous premises (industry based on elephant-driven springs in
> a serious novel???) as long as what follows is consistent; many people
> don't like that.
>
> The appeal of this group is that we *do* have different "things" and we
> are serious about them. We have the opportunity to hear about the best
> of different areas that we are not the familiar with as well as books
> categorized as another sub-genre but nonetheless also has something
> that we would like. That's valuable!

Thank you. I had not realized that my thing is "action oriented books
with concrete goals". Looking at my six star list, they all fit that
description.

Lynn’s six star list (or top ten list) in September 2023:

1. “Mutineer’s Moon” by David Weber
2. “Citizen Of The Galaxy” by Robert Heinlein
3. “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein
4. “The Star Beast” by Robert Heinlein
5. “Shards Of Honor” by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. “Jumper” by Steven Gould
7. “Dies The Fire” by S. M. Stirling
8. “Emergence” by David Palmer
9. “The Tar-Aiym Krang” by Alan Dean Foster
10. “Under A Graveyard Sky” by John Ringo
11. “Live Free Or Die” by John Ringo
12. “Footfall” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
13. “Lucifer’s Hammer” by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
14. “The Zero Stone” by Andre Norton
15. “Going Home” by A. American
16. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
17. “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline
18. “The Martian” by Andy Weir
19. “The Postman” by David Brin
20. “We Are Legion” by Dennis E. Taylor
21. “Bitten” by Kelley Armstrong
22. “Moon Called” by Patrica Briggs
23. “Red Thunder” by John Varley
24. "Lightning" by Dean Koontz
25. "The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells
26. "Friday" by Robert Heinlein
27. "Agent Of Change" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Lynn

On Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:47:18 -0700 (PDT), William Hyde
<wthyde1953@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 1:44:48?PM UTC-4, Andrew McDowell wrote:
>> On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2:30:09?PM UTC+1, Christian Weisgerber wrote:
>> > On 2023-10-23, Lynn McGuire <lynnmc...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>> > That is an interestingly rare case of somebody writing fiction in
>> > their second language. (Kloos is German and appears to have moved
>> > to the US only as an adult.)
>> >
>> > --
>> > Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de
>> I think Sarah Hoyt is another example, and by searching on YouTube I find she has a very noticeable accent when speaking English, although she is reasonably comprehensible (hypocrisy alert - I have a noticeable N.Irish accent which is usually comprehensible, although I did once say a word and find that at least three other people in the group thought that they had heard something else, all different). I believe Conrad is the outstanding literary example.

Certainly the outstanding example of people writing "literature", as
opposed to mere novels.

I read all of Conrad I could get (think I missed one short story) some
years back. Much of it was very entertaining. Some was clearly
"literature". All were very readable.

>English, I believe, was Conrad's fifth language. He was naturally fluent in Polish, but also in French at a young age. His Russian was
>said to be serviceable and according to his son he was easily able to communicate in German. He learned some Latin and Greek
>in school, but how fluent he was is not known (at least to me). Then he learned English.

If it was Classical Latin and Classical Greek he studied, then
"fluency" may not have been a consideration.

>Nabokov wrote in English for most of his career. His earlier published works were in Russian, but apparently his first writings as a child
>were in English - the family was trilingual in Russian, French, and English.
>
>William Hyde
--
"Here lies the Tuscan poet Aretino,
Who evil spoke of everyone but God,
Giving as his excuse, 'I never knew him.'"

In article <slrnuji43v.1sh3.naddy@lorvorc.mips.inka.de>,
Christian Weisgerber <naddy@mips.inka.de> wrote:
>On 2023-10-23, Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> #10 "Terms of Enlistment" by Marko Kloos
>
>That is an interestingly rare case of somebody writing fiction in
>their second language. (Kloos is German and appears to have moved
>to the US only as an adult.)

[Hal Heydt]
Another example, though not SF, is Dutch diplomat Robert van
Gulik who wrote murder mysteries in English, based on a Chinese
tradition of using the historical Judge Dee.