counting the Cost

Hammer's Slammers #4

by David Drake

Colonel Alois Hammer's indomitable armored brigade attempts to win a two-front war against an overwhelming foreign foe while protecting the existing civilian power structures against the opposition of religious fanatics

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Military Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Adventure, Short Stories, War

Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 1987

About the author

David Drake is an American author of science fiction and fantasy literature. A Vietnam War veteran who has worked as a lawyer, he is now one of the major authors of the military science fiction genre.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counting the Cost is one of Drake's earlier Hammer's Slammers novels in which he strikes a nice balance with military, political, and religious concerns without sacrificing the action and adventure aspects. He juxtaposes and illustrates the conditions and situations of the leaders of the various sides with the line troops and civilians quite well. Drake was without doubt among the very best writers of military sf. (Note that this one was collected in omnibus volumes in subsequent years, first in Caught in the Crossfire and then in one of the Complete Hammer's volumes, so if you have one of those there's no need to look for this title.)

[Joe Santoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apparently these stories have different personnel in each, so don't get attached to the characters. They're not generally much beyond 'solider #3' anyway, but that was a surprise to me. This was the 2nd of 3 of these I read, this one dealing much more with politics than actual fighting, where a crusade is going on, the the Slammers have to decide to help keep the person paying them in power before they move on to the job their doing, or let the internal dispute take its course and perhaps no longer have a job.

The man on the ground makes friends with another Mercenary in another company tasked with defending the city and the two end up teaming up... definitely pretty different from the first story, which is good. This one had some actual religion thrown in (I was surprised they weren't made up space religions) which was wild, and a bit jarring, but told a really good story.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another in the Hammer’s Slammers series. (I know the series name sounds corny but the Science Fiction is solid.) Actually, I didn’t like it at first. I expected action, but got none. It is, instead, a consideration of religion as the basis for war. Are the religious peacemakers – or the Slammer mercenaries? Add to that politics – or are political groups simply street gang? Is diplomacy always superior to combat? Like any good Sci-Fi, the book’s plot makes one think.

In the end, there was A LOT of action. Ugly – but necessary?

I liked the book.

[Zack Parrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hammer Slammers: Counting The Cost" is a novel of military science fiction written by David Drake. It follows a group of mercenaries as they fight for control over civil war on an alien planet within Drake's Hammerverse universe. This story was specifically made for Drake's Hammer's Slammers series.
This novel is interesting and thought provoking. The Hammer's Slammers are a group of hired mercenaries hired by one faction to fight civil wars on other worlds. Colonel Alois Hammer leads these men with inspiration, earning their respect and devotion.
This book is divided into three sections having the first section introduce the Slammers and their mission, while the last section examines both civilians and soldiers affected by fighting in Afghanistan.
One of the novel's strongest points is its portrayal of the Slammers. Drake has crafted an engaging cast with diverse motivations and personalities; Hammer and his new recruits serve as a prime example. I personally like Colonel Alois Hammer. He is someone I could look up to.
Another remarkable aspect of Drake's portrayal of war is his willingness to show the harsh realities and horrors that combat can bring, such as a description of a battle zone that reminded me of the "no man's land" areas between enemy trenches in World War I. It's evident that Drake did his research; descriptions of military tactics, equipment and other details are accurate and believable - lending his science fiction a sense of reality that readers do not find very often.
Hammer Slammers - Counting The Cost delves into many important topics. This book emphasizes loyalty, duty and honor as essential elements in their code of conduct.
I was delighted with "Hammer Slammers: Counting The Cost", my book of choice. It was quite the enjoyable book that made me interested in reading other books that may be similar.

[Gareth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a real page turner, as building tension and a snowballing of events built to a really strong finish, but also really keeps you guessing as to what is going to occur. Some quite bleak events that occur in this one, puts me in mind of what I have read about the French Revolution, where people of the same country can do quite nasty things to each other when divisions occur. A strong finish to the novel, and the afterword is also a good, informative read.

[Dalen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one spent more time in boardrooms and with political advisors than it did in military action. The essay that followed by Drake explained the idea that when you put a soldier with a gun in the field, the soldier automatically becomes a policy maker as they do what they view as necessary to survive. This story gives an example of the potential horrors that may result as a consequence of that policy.

[Gabriel Tubec · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was my first Hammer's Slammers novel, and I was expecting a lot more action. The first 2/3 flows pretty uneventful, just building the pressure until the final confrontation. Which let me down, as it was anything but true military action.
For military SF novel, it was not so much SF, and not so much military.

[Aaron Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn, I was mostly at 3 stars on this. Felt like a lark of a thing glorifying military discipline and mid-level officers then took a hard turn and ended up as cynical a thing as I can remember reading. Not perfect by any stretch, but authentic and absolutely earns its pro-soldier anti-war message.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best and most realistic military science fiction out there.

[Brian Lassiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good military Sci-fi.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much politics for my taste. Just didn't hit for me like "at any price". I thought I would enjoy a single cohesive story better.



Age rating: 16+ (Violence, Genocide)

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has always been one of my favorite Hammer's Slammers books from when I first read it back when [maybe it has to do with the cover more than anything else]. The story takes place over maybe two - to - three days, and it moves at a pretty good clip, for the most part. It is not 'loaded with action' from start to finish, but the groundwork is being laid for the finale. What a finale! The character development is all right; not the deepest, but not quite the worst.

It is about a small team of Slammers in the capital city and a Captain returning from six months furlough eventually working in conjunction with another team of mercs to defend the 'planetary' government from being replaced during an uprising. The planet is composed of either two continents only or two primary continents, one of which has been populated by Muslims and the other which has been populated by some "Christian" sect that has begun to splinter into different factions. The "Christian government" is waging a crusade against the Muslims, for some reason never really stated in the book.

As a Christian, the portrayal of "Christians" is uncomfortable in the book, because they are not truly Christians in their actions or behavior. At the same time, when one considers Western History, I can understand why Drake portrays them like he does. One would like to think that Christians would have been better about representing Jesus if mankind ever reaches the stars then they are portrayed in the book. Ah, well.

It is an interesting book, because it is more about a small unit of non-tanker Slammers separated from the main body of the mercenary group than it is about the main body as a whole. I'll have to go back and reread the initial book of the series; I know it is composed of mostly short stories, but I thought those stories focused more on the tankers. Maybe not; it's been quite some time since I last read them.

It does get a bit gritty in parts when the uprising occurs and when the two merc units put down the uprising in a violent fashion. It also has a "mild" bit of adultery in it, along with salty language in parts, for those who might care.

I think I liked the 'Easter egg' at the end the most. He provides a section in which he talks about some more of his personal backstory as well as back history on how the Slammers came to be. I thought it was pretty interesting, myself.

I'm glad I reread this book. It was like visiting an old friend I haven't seen in a while. hahahah

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hammers Slammers - what more need to be said...

[Papal Bull · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice quick read.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best military SiFi series written. Drake is a superb writer of future military SiFi. Very recommended