Retief: Ambassador to Space

Retief #5

by Keith Laumer -

How are thing on Rockamorra? Bad, very. Earth Ambassador Pinchbottle has contracted to fight a dinorsaur, and it's up to troubleshooter Jame Retief to keep him from being stomped, mangled, or eaten.

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fantasy

190 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 2 out of 5]

Acceptabla korta sagor.

[Al "Tank" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories of Jaime Retief, a member of several ambassadorial delegations to various planets. It's made up of the usual tongue-in-cheek tales of pompous incompetent Ambassadors who only manage to do the right thing because of the adventures of Retief and sometimes his immediate boss, Magnan who is partially competent.

It sounds dryer than it is. The stories are fun to read -- especially if you love to see pomposity shown for what it is.

The bad guys, usually the Groaci, are moderately competent, but far from nice (grasping for power and territory).

It's all for fun, and Laumer delivers.

I've read this before. In fact, my paperback copy is so old that it's starting to fall apart (binding) and the pages are starting to yellow.

[Jude · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't get into it. However I liked the concept.

[SciFiOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

2010 grade B+

short stories

Retief!

series book R2a (1964)

[Mike S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read short stories... it's very funny in spots, more irreverent humor from someone who truly appreciates how ridiculous bureaucracy and pompous authority figures can be.