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Patriots
Settlers on the planet Greenwood must set aside their differences in order to preserve their way of life as they struggle against politicians and corporations who see their world only in terms of profit
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
30 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
David Drake
307 books886 followersDavid 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.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 23, 2024
Another excellent David Drake novel
Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys capture fort Ticonderoga and its artillery. Or at least it's Mr. Drake's sci-fi take on that campaign in the American War of Independence. The planet Greenwood is a stand-in for the Green Mountains and the Alliance military base on Dittersdorf Minor is the stand-in for Ticonderoga. As is frequently the case with David Drake's work, his introduction is almost as entertaining as the novel itself.
Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys capture fort Ticonderoga and its artillery. Or at least it's Mr. Drake's sci-fi take on that campaign in the American War of Independence. The planet Greenwood is a stand-in for the Green Mountains and the Alliance military base on Dittersdorf Minor is the stand-in for Ticonderoga. As is frequently the case with David Drake's work, his introduction is almost as entertaining as the novel itself.
December 6, 2012
Bascially, this is based--very loosely---on the American Revolution. In this book, the colony planet Greenwood is attempting to gain its freedom from faraway Earth.
Young Mark Lucius-son Maxwell gets caught up by chance with some of the Greenwood colonists and the story is told through his experiences.
It is a little lighter than some of David Drake's usual works. There are no pitched battles or intense violence but a lot of insteresting smaller incidients liked together and I will say no more to avoid spoliers.
Debating between two and three stars, the third star was earned due to the character of Yerby Bannock, one of the leading frontiersmen of Greenwood. His larger-than-life character steals every scene he is in and the interactions between Yerby and Mark are well done. He's worth the price of the book.
A quick, easy science-fiction tale from an established writer. Recommended for any SF fan, including teens.
(Edited 12/6/12 to fix errors)
Young Mark Lucius-son Maxwell gets caught up by chance with some of the Greenwood colonists and the story is told through his experiences.
It is a little lighter than some of David Drake's usual works. There are no pitched battles or intense violence but a lot of insteresting smaller incidients liked together and I will say no more to avoid spoliers.
Debating between two and three stars, the third star was earned due to the character of Yerby Bannock, one of the leading frontiersmen of Greenwood. His larger-than-life character steals every scene he is in and the interactions between Yerby and Mark are well done. He's worth the price of the book.
A quick, easy science-fiction tale from an established writer. Recommended for any SF fan, including teens.
(Edited 12/6/12 to fix errors)
April 28, 2022
This was an interesting read. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would or hoped I might. I think it might be the only story I have read by the author in which nobody dies and the violence is kept to a minimum. It is based on the life of Ethan Allen and his exploits/antics before and during the Revolutionary War. I read it over my breaks at work, otherwise I am sure I would have finished it faster than I did. As it was, it was still a relatively fast read for me and held my attention from . . . not quite "start to finish" but maybe from a couple of chapters in until the end. It had some fun moments, some interesting moments, and some humorous moments. It also had some moments where I thought things were going to go one way and they went in a different direction, which was fine with me as well.
The character development was decent; Yerby Bannock (standing in for Ethan Allen, I assume) was a hoot of a character and literal giant of a man. He was quite the colorful character and I would not mind reading a second book with him in it (assuming too much time has not passed and the author can correctly "channel" him again in a new book after all this time). He was an interesting character in that he fully used his size and reputation to the fullest advantage which allowed him to not have to use his great physical strength when it came to trying to impose his will on others; he preferred to use "implied encouragement" (if you will) versus overt force. One could never be quite sure how smart he was as at times he seemed to think with his fist and emotions and other times he thought with his head and used his brains despite having such a thick skull. Mark Maxwell was also an interesting character and I would say had the most growth as a character (because he starts the book as a total nube and rube and ends the book with quite a bit of experience - legal experience, leadership experience, and command experience of sorts). He goes from being a "semi-spoiled rich kid" to somebody that the people of the planet Greenwood can trust and respect; he also gains the trust of Yerby Bannock as well (which matters more Mark in the end than having the respect of an entire planet or movement). Amy Bannock was good; she seemed to grow into a "love interest" for Mark but it was never fully developed like it might be today. They had a strong friendship with romantic feelings that seemed to spring up at times, but the focus of the book is a relatively peaceful, non-violent (or non-lethal) insurrection versus a "star-crossed romance." In any case, Amy also has decent character development over the course of the novel; we learn how smart she can be, as well as how she is able to control her brother when nobody else can (not even his wife). She provides a third point-of-view that is different from that of either Yerby or Mark, which is good. At the same time, she sometimes seems to completely fade in the background, even when she is on a mission with Yerby and Mark, which is a shame.
There are other minor characters throughout who are well-done and help make the story interesting and fun to read. I would not say they are "cardboard cutouts" as they help move the story along and create fun foils for other characters throughout the book.
It is an interesting take on a part of the Revolutionary War that many if not most people are unfamiliar with; I really only can associate Ethan Allen with his Green Mountain Boys and that they captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British without having to fire a shot. I did not know he sought to win his battles with the least amount of deaths possible and that he was fairly successful in this endeavor. I thought the author did a good job of translating the bare bones of history that he talks about in his "foreward" into this science fiction adventure; it does, however, follow a "common trope" of Earth's colonies seeking to become independent of their "corporate masters" back on Earth (corporate masters or a "one-world Terran" government that seeks to continue to impose its will upon the far-flung galaxies across the galaxy). The book ends on what could be considered a "cliff-hanger"
It was an interesting book, especially in light of the minimal amount of death and extreme violence in the book; there is some violence, yes, but Yerby tries to use his head and seeks to capture his foes without actually killing them, which is pretty cool and also pretty unusual in the books I have read by this author. I had wanted to read this book years ago but had loaned it out and it disappeared, never to be seen again. I am glad I found this copy and was able to finally get around to reading it. It was an enjoyable read; I would say 2.6-2.8 stars generously rounded up to 3 stars. I am glad I took a chance on reading it as it was worth it (due to its "differentness" and "flavor" when compared to his other books if nothing else).
The character development was decent; Yerby Bannock (standing in for Ethan Allen, I assume) was a hoot of a character and literal giant of a man. He was quite the colorful character and I would not mind reading a second book with him in it (assuming too much time has not passed and the author can correctly "channel" him again in a new book after all this time). He was an interesting character in that he fully used his size and reputation to the fullest advantage which allowed him to not have to use his great physical strength when it came to trying to impose his will on others; he preferred to use "implied encouragement" (if you will) versus overt force. One could never be quite sure how smart he was as at times he seemed to think with his fist and emotions and other times he thought with his head and used his brains despite having such a thick skull. Mark Maxwell was also an interesting character and I would say had the most growth as a character (because he starts the book as a total nube and rube and ends the book with quite a bit of experience - legal experience, leadership experience, and command experience of sorts). He goes from being a "semi-spoiled rich kid" to somebody that the people of the planet Greenwood can trust and respect; he also gains the trust of Yerby Bannock as well (which matters more Mark in the end than having the respect of an entire planet or movement). Amy Bannock was good; she seemed to grow into a "love interest" for Mark but it was never fully developed like it might be today. They had a strong friendship with romantic feelings that seemed to spring up at times, but the focus of the book is a relatively peaceful, non-violent (or non-lethal) insurrection versus a "star-crossed romance." In any case, Amy also has decent character development over the course of the novel; we learn how smart she can be, as well as how she is able to control her brother when nobody else can (not even his wife). She provides a third point-of-view that is different from that of either Yerby or Mark, which is good. At the same time, she sometimes seems to completely fade in the background, even when she is on a mission with Yerby and Mark, which is a shame.
There are other minor characters throughout who are well-done and help make the story interesting and fun to read. I would not say they are "cardboard cutouts" as they help move the story along and create fun foils for other characters throughout the book.
It is an interesting take on a part of the Revolutionary War that many if not most people are unfamiliar with; I really only can associate Ethan Allen with his Green Mountain Boys and that they captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British without having to fire a shot. I did not know he sought to win his battles with the least amount of deaths possible and that he was fairly successful in this endeavor. I thought the author did a good job of translating the bare bones of history that he talks about in his "foreward" into this science fiction adventure; it does, however, follow a "common trope" of Earth's colonies seeking to become independent of their "corporate masters" back on Earth (corporate masters or a "one-world Terran" government that seeks to continue to impose its will upon the far-flung galaxies across the galaxy). The book ends on what could be considered a "cliff-hanger"
It was an interesting book, especially in light of the minimal amount of death and extreme violence in the book; there is some violence, yes, but Yerby tries to use his head and seeks to capture his foes without actually killing them, which is pretty cool and also pretty unusual in the books I have read by this author. I had wanted to read this book years ago but had loaned it out and it disappeared, never to be seen again. I am glad I found this copy and was able to finally get around to reading it. It was an enjoyable read; I would say 2.6-2.8 stars generously rounded up to 3 stars. I am glad I took a chance on reading it as it was worth it (due to its "differentness" and "flavor" when compared to his other books if nothing else).
November 1, 2017
Drake wanted to write a story about an interstellar revolution... without a single person dying. While it was an entertaining read (despite the very cliché characters) and although I do not rally enjoy bloodshedding, it seemed too unrealistic on the scale he set events in. Consequently the book read more like a yound-adults book than a typical Drake book.
Entertaining, but not more than that.
Entertaining, but not more than that.
August 30, 2018
Well Told Story
Explicitly inspired by the Green Mountain Boys that captured Fort Ticonderoga, Patriots creates a believable future mirror of that history. Told with Drake's usual skill and sharp wit, it is notably less bloody than most of his stories.
Recommended, appropriate for readers ten and older.
Explicitly inspired by the Green Mountain Boys that captured Fort Ticonderoga, Patriots creates a believable future mirror of that history. Told with Drake's usual skill and sharp wit, it is notably less bloody than most of his stories.
Recommended, appropriate for readers ten and older.
April 15, 2025
Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of SPACE Science Fiction
David Drake used the real Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont as his inspiration for this novel! The capture of Fort Ticonderoga also was real life inspiration!
Real life adventure can be stranger than fiction! great story telling!
David Drake used the real Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont as his inspiration for this novel! The capture of Fort Ticonderoga also was real life inspiration!
Real life adventure can be stranger than fiction! great story telling!
December 4, 2019
A Good Read
This book is a little different from other David Drake's novels. The characters in this novel were unique and we'll thought out. I would have like to have read more action scenes from his Hammer Spammers novels.
This book is a little different from other David Drake's novels. The characters in this novel were unique and we'll thought out. I would have like to have read more action scenes from his Hammer Spammers novels.
February 4, 2018
A fun romp.
Good guys beat the bad guys, easy. Not a sophisticated novel but David Drake is always a good read. It holds your interest with a simply plot and interesting characters.
Good guys beat the bad guys, easy. Not a sophisticated novel but David Drake is always a good read. It holds your interest with a simply plot and interesting characters.
August 21, 2018
One of my favorite books I've reread it many times.
January 9, 2019
Very good! Nice change from Hammer’s Slammers and other military oriented books (which is what I usually look for when looking for books by David Drake).
November 30, 2019
Nice tale
Good, folksy sci fi planet colony stuff; and I can see the similarities to pre American Revolution New England times.
Good, folksy sci fi planet colony stuff; and I can see the similarities to pre American Revolution New England times.
September 21, 2021
An OK book but not as much military action as I expected
May 4, 2024
Not much depth and obvious plot. Ok to read while waiting at Dr's office and such.
December 4, 2009
This might quite possibly be one of my favorite David Drake books. The characters are among the best he's written, and unlike just about everything else he's ever written, there's no real body count, just some real creative ways of humiliating people.
As an historical parallel, it's interesting to learn a little bit about the history of my own country that I probably wouldn't have stumbled on on my own.
I like it a lot.
As an historical parallel, it's interesting to learn a little bit about the history of my own country that I probably wouldn't have stumbled on on my own.
I like it a lot.
January 29, 2010
This was a really earnest, intelligent, occasionally hokey, and downright entertaining sci-fi adventure. It was loosely based on themes of the American Revolution taking place on distant planets, and while it sometimes gets booged down in political issues, I enjoyed it. Really clever technological ideas get explored as well.
January 2, 2011
It was ok. I generally have only four categories (didn't finsh, ok pass to someone else, ok pass to someone else with recommendation, and keep it to reread again).
The book is ok, I would probably read another one in this series, if it becomes a series. There is enough left open at the end so it could become one.
The book is ok, I would probably read another one in this series, if it becomes a series. There is enough left open at the end so it could become one.
February 24, 2014
While generally liked the book it never really drew me in to just keep reading, and it felt like something that was written during the '40's or 50's.
Then there is the ending which left me feeling like there it need at least one more chapter to wrap things up, or maybe a sequel. But based on this book I doubt a would read a sequel.
Then there is the ending which left me feeling like there it need at least one more chapter to wrap things up, or maybe a sequel. But based on this book I doubt a would read a sequel.
June 20, 2015
Different from many of Drake's other novels in that it parallels American history rather than ancient Greek or Roman, Patriots reminds me more of the work of Heinlein than any other sf classic I can think of. It's a lighter, less intense, less violent novel than those for which Drake is best known, but a good, fascinating story in it's own right.
May 2, 2009
This book attracted me BECAUSE it was not the usual "mercenary sci-fi" fare that is identified with David Drake. A very enjoyable quick read.
December 12, 2009
This book kept my interest, but the ending was weak.
March 6, 2013
A fun read, Drake's scifi version of Ethan Allan and the Green Mountain Boys.
December 27, 2016
Basically a SF rewrite of a story from the American Revolution, this is a good read, and reading it can also give a different perspective on men like Ethan Allen. Highly recommended.
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April 14, 2008Science Fiction
January 26, 2010
I enjoyed this book.
January 10, 2011
Mmmm - it certanly wasn't )Hammer's_Slammers_, that's for sure.
April 26, 2017
Way above my pay grade.
I always enjoy David Drake books . sometimes more than others. This is in the category of more. I don't know anything about writing sci fi. Just know what I like. Go figure ?
I always enjoy David Drake books . sometimes more than others. This is in the category of more. I don't know anything about writing sci fi. Just know what I like. Go figure ?
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews