Hammer's Slammers

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Hammer's Slammers is the title of a 1979 collection of military science fiction short stories by author David Drake (and, by extension, of the fictional universe in which these and a number of Drake's other stories and novels are set). The book focuses on the career of a future mercenary tank regiment, called Hammer's Slammers, after their leader, Colonel Alois Hammer.

Drake borrows plots from ancient mythology for many of his Hammer's Slammers universe stories—retelling the story of Jason and the Argonauts in The Voyage and part of the Odyssey in a gritty, military style in Cross the Stars. In addition, he recreates the character of Achilles from The Iliad, in The Warrior. Late books borrow from Dashiell Hammett and various episodes in history.

Contents

[edit] The series

  1. Hammer's Slammers (1979) The initial collection of stories. Includes both the creation of the Slammers as an independent force, and the end of its independent existence when Colonel Hammer becomes the ruler of his native world.
  2. At Any Price (1985) A study in command and cultural conflict. The Slammers must aid a human community in a fight with aliens who can teleport.
  3. Counting the Cost (1987) The Slammers become involved in an internal dispute among their employers. Based on the Nika riots, with a Slammers captain in the role of Belisarius.
  4. Rolling Hot (1989) A Slammers unit must make a rapid combat march to relieve the capital city which is under threat. Based loosely on the events of the Tet offensive, according to Drake's comments.[1]
  5. The Warrior (1991) A rivalry between two of the Slammers, who have very different ideas of what it means to be a warrior. One of them is based on the classical character of Achilles.
  6. The Sharp End (1993) A survey team from the Slammers is looking for work for the regiment. This book is set after Colonel Hammer has become President Hammer. The plot, according to the author's comments in the book, is based on two works by Dashiell Hammett. [2]
  7. Paying the Piper (2002) Three stories about a single campaign. The political situation is, according to Drake, modeled on one from classical history.

[edit] Repackaged

The contents of the first five books of the main series were repackaged and republished, with some additional stories. Drake has said that this is his preferred order and edition.

  1. The Tank Lords (1997)
  2. Caught In The Crossfire (1998)
  3. The Butcher's Bill (1998)

The Complete Hammer's Slammers (2006) is a three-volume set from Night Shade Books that will contain all Hammer's Slammers fiction, including three new stories written for this set. Volume 1 was released in January of 2006, and features an introduction by Gene Wolfe. Volume 2 was released January of 2007.

[edit] Related works

These are works set in the Slammers universe, and involving members of the Slammers, or former members, but not really about the Slammers as an organization.

  1. Cross the Stars (1984) A retelling of the Odyssey, with a former Slammers officer in the title role.
  2. The Voyage (1993) A retelling of the Voyage of the Argonauts.

A Hammer's Slammers wargame was produced under license by Mayfair Games.

[edit] External links

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