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Falkenberg's Legion #1
Falkenberg's Legion
The seeds of contradiction that lay at the heart of the Soviet-American alliance are bearing their final fruit. Soon they will rip the Codomminium apart—and Earth will die.
In the face of that inevitability the fate of humanity lies with the Colony Worlds—a few of which are equipped for more than barest survival. Thrown upon their own resources, their futures seem as limited as their pasts. They—and humanity—have one hope: that somehow, someone will have both the vision and the strength to grasp the tattered remnants of civilization and weld them into a single galaxy-spanning society.
In the face of that inevitability the fate of humanity lies with the Colony Worlds—a few of which are equipped for more than barest survival. Thrown upon their own resources, their futures seem as limited as their pasts. They—and humanity—have one hope: that somehow, someone will have both the vision and the strength to grasp the tattered remnants of civilization and weld them into a single galaxy-spanning society.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 1990
8 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Pournelle
269 books553 followersDr Jerry Eugene Pournelle was an American science fiction writer, engineer, essayist, and journalist, who contributed for many years to the computer magazine Byte, and from 1998 until his death maintained his own website and blog.
From the beginning, Pournelle's work centered around strong military themes. Several books describe the fictional mercenary infantry force known as Falkenberg's Legion. There are strong parallels between these stories and the Childe Cycle mercenary stories by Gordon R. Dickson, as well as Heinlein's Starship Troopers, although Pournelle's work takes far fewer technological leaps than either of these.
Pournelle spent years working in the aerospace industry, including at Boeing, on projects including studying heat tolerance for astronauts and their spacesuits. This side of his career also found him working on projections related to military tactics and probabilities. One report in which he had a hand became a basis for the Strategic Defense Initiative, the missile defense system proposed by President Ronald Reagan. A study he edited in 1964 involved projecting Air Force missile technology needs for 1975.
Dr. Pournelle would always tell would-be writers seeking advice that the key to becoming an author was to write — a lot.
“And finish what you write,” he added in a 2003 interview. “Don’t join a writers’ club and sit around having coffee reading pieces of your manuscript to people. Write it. Finish it.”
Pournelle served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 1973.
From the beginning, Pournelle's work centered around strong military themes. Several books describe the fictional mercenary infantry force known as Falkenberg's Legion. There are strong parallels between these stories and the Childe Cycle mercenary stories by Gordon R. Dickson, as well as Heinlein's Starship Troopers, although Pournelle's work takes far fewer technological leaps than either of these.
Pournelle spent years working in the aerospace industry, including at Boeing, on projects including studying heat tolerance for astronauts and their spacesuits. This side of his career also found him working on projections related to military tactics and probabilities. One report in which he had a hand became a basis for the Strategic Defense Initiative, the missile defense system proposed by President Ronald Reagan. A study he edited in 1964 involved projecting Air Force missile technology needs for 1975.
Dr. Pournelle would always tell would-be writers seeking advice that the key to becoming an author was to write — a lot.
“And finish what you write,” he added in a 2003 interview. “Don’t join a writers’ club and sit around having coffee reading pieces of your manuscript to people. Write it. Finish it.”
Pournelle served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 1973.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 25, 2017
I feel like I should have liked this book more. It's military scifi. One of the few scifi subgenres I actually enjoy. But I just don't find it enjoyable.
Sure, it has great worldbuilding with lots of details on the planets, local politics and so on. It also has lots of familiar themes of corruption, authoritarianism, colonization, political squabbling and so on. But they became bland when they are overwritten.
The characters didn't help either. The first part of this book was actually quite entertaining with all the combat actions, but then the second part the readers are reduced to see characters talking and talking about power struggle. Even the supposed climax didn't feel like a climax.
Probably this serves better as faux historical account of a space colonization than a novel since I don't care at all about the characters. Not even Falkenberg himself.
Sure, it has great worldbuilding with lots of details on the planets, local politics and so on. It also has lots of familiar themes of corruption, authoritarianism, colonization, political squabbling and so on. But they became bland when they are overwritten.
The characters didn't help either. The first part of this book was actually quite entertaining with all the combat actions, but then the second part the readers are reduced to see characters talking and talking about power struggle. Even the supposed climax didn't feel like a climax.
Probably this serves better as faux historical account of a space colonization than a novel since I don't care at all about the characters. Not even Falkenberg himself.
August 21, 2022
Utmärkt militär scifi om ett imperium som degenererar till den nivå av byråkratiskt tyranni att huvudpersonen drivs att bli kondottiär. Bokens klimax är en variant av Nika-revolten, som verkar lite överanvänd för allt vad den var en stor revolt; eller också är det min brist i intressefokus på medeltiden som gör att de andra revolter jag har detaljkunskap om är mer lantliga, eftersom källmaterialet under perioden ser ut som det gör. Boken fäster uppmärksamhet på sådant som är viktigt även i den verkliga världen: hur hanterar vi oduglig överskottsbefolkning utan anledning att vara lojal med en korrumperad statsmakt som sällan egentligen bryr sig? Hur hanterar vi den mindre onda sidans tendens till ideologiskt motiverad fanatism och naturlig hämndlystnad när väl storskurkarna är borta från makten? Den där tendensen som gjorde att man hängde Mussolini, och jagade nasse-officerare under nästan 30 år efter krigsslutet, och torterade kollaboratörer och kärestor i Norge och Kina? Hur tillser man elektricitet när ett inbördeskrig råder? Är det verkligen att göra samhället en tjänst att deportera alla oliktänkande och kriminella istället för att straffa dem? Det gav oss visserligen Australien, men måste det gå så bra? Genom att inte undvika dessa mer komplicerade frågor gör författaren läsaren en tjänst. När de "goda" styrkorna bittert konstaterar att intergalaktiskt slavarbete är det enda sättet att vidmakthålla en flotta stor nog att undvika ömsesidiga utrotningskrig runt om i den koloniserade galaxen gör det att en någorlunda påläst läsare förstår Konstantin den stores skattepolitik och resten av roms fall, såväl som Ancien Regimes undfallenhet mot skattefuskande ädlingar och för den delen toleransen mot Beria och Stalin. Det är helt enkelt en bra tankebok på det sättet att den påminner om allt det nedriga i den mänskliga naturen utan att för den skull förfalla till hopplöshet.
Jag kan starkt rekommendera denna - om resten av serien är hälften så bra är det solid genrelitteratur.
Jag kan starkt rekommendera denna - om resten av serien är hälften så bra är det solid genrelitteratur.
November 15, 2022
I was wanting a military sci-fi book and saw a piece on this one. Published in 1990. I enjoyed parts of this book; however, I don't believe it's in the same class as Gordon R. Dickson's Dorsai series or Weber's Honor Harrington books. Still, good entertainment.
March 19, 2014
This book really carries on where the previous one left off (Prince of Mercenaries) - the fall of Earth is all but assured and that the need for a new strong focus for a new society is needed. Its a grand idea played on a grand scale but what appealed to me was that the characters and even the events actually play out at a much more personal level.
One aspect which I think makes this book so fascinating to me was that even with high science and interstellar travel - the combat, the weaponry even the conflicts all seem familiar (and sometimes rather low tech) and so less alien and obscure. I am no tactician but it seems that Falkenberg has a flair for getting the job.
I came to the works of Jerry Pournelle through Larry Niven and their collaborations - but his solo work I think has strength all of its own and is just as thrilling a read.
One aspect which I think makes this book so fascinating to me was that even with high science and interstellar travel - the combat, the weaponry even the conflicts all seem familiar (and sometimes rather low tech) and so less alien and obscure. I am no tactician but it seems that Falkenberg has a flair for getting the job.
I came to the works of Jerry Pournelle through Larry Niven and their collaborations - but his solo work I think has strength all of its own and is just as thrilling a read.
May 21, 2020
For a long time I've been wondering how a Jerry Pournelle book would read in comparison to a Jerry Pournelle/Larry Niven book. Having read this book, I'm inclined to believe Pournelle/Niven books are better than Pournell-alone books. For one thing, except for minor references to interstellar travel from the "Mote in God's Eye" universe, this book might better be charactierized as military fiction or militay/political fiction than science fiction. For another, Pournelle is fairly heavy-handed in making his points about honor, loyalty and military life in general. And finally, the separate long novellas that comprised the book moved rather slowly.
To be honest, although it had it's own issues, Jerry Pournelle's daughter's book "Outies" set in the same universe, was a more enjoyable read.
Nonetheless, I did finish it and am willing to move along to the next book in the series. I've experienced other writers that had a slow start to their work.
To be honest, although it had it's own issues, Jerry Pournelle's daughter's book "Outies" set in the same universe, was a more enjoyable read.
Nonetheless, I did finish it and am willing to move along to the next book in the series. I've experienced other writers that had a slow start to their work.
July 26, 2025
Raamatu tagakaanel tuuakse välja, kui palju autor on (lähi)tuleviku ennustustega mööda pannud. On tõesti - aga need mööda pandud ennustused ei mängi loo juures tegelikult mingit rolli. Vahet ei ole, kas teemaks on USA ja Nõukogude Liidu ühine liit 50 aasta pärast või X riigi ja Y planeedi ühine liit 300 aasta pärast. See on lihtsalt mingi taust, mis ei mängi loo enda juures suurt rolli.
Peab ütlema, et algus mulle täitsa meeldis. Oli põnevaid maailmu ja mõnusat strateegiat. Aga lõpp vajus ära. Läks liiga poliitiliseks kemplemiseks. Ja seda viimast ei oldud kujutatud nii, et oleksin sellele kaasa elanud.
Täitsa okei või isegi hea ajaviitekas, aga ei miskit erilist.
Peab ütlema, et algus mulle täitsa meeldis. Oli põnevaid maailmu ja mõnusat strateegiat. Aga lõpp vajus ära. Läks liiga poliitiliseks kemplemiseks. Ja seda viimast ei oldud kujutatud nii, et oleksin sellele kaasa elanud.
Täitsa okei või isegi hea ajaviitekas, aga ei miskit erilist.
November 10, 2017
Enjoyable.
The first part, told from the point of view of one of Falkenberg's underlings is better than the second. It's a fun romp through a military engagement of the near future.
The second part, essentially two stories are OK, but you never really feel for the main character, Falkenberg. He's obviously smart, but wooden, and there's no one to route for. Plus the "surprise/secret" is rather obvious in the first of these stories. In the second, it's better except for the fact that it's essentially same kind of thing and you've been sensitized to it from the earlier one.
The first part, told from the point of view of one of Falkenberg's underlings is better than the second. It's a fun romp through a military engagement of the near future.
The second part, essentially two stories are OK, but you never really feel for the main character, Falkenberg. He's obviously smart, but wooden, and there's no one to route for. Plus the "surprise/secret" is rather obvious in the first of these stories. In the second, it's better except for the fact that it's essentially same kind of thing and you've been sensitized to it from the earlier one.
March 10, 2023
This book is the first of a four book series themed around warfare in humanity's future. The stories are connected with the main characters changing half way though.
What I like about the series is the Blue commanders rely more on tactics than technology to win. Also what makes them readable is that the weapons used are not much different to those currently used in warfare today.
This book is not one story but a collection of two. n each case the Blue forces win but that is to expected.
What I like about the series is the Blue commanders rely more on tactics than technology to win. Also what makes them readable is that the weapons used are not much different to those currently used in warfare today.
This book is not one story but a collection of two. n each case the Blue forces win but that is to expected.
April 14, 2024
Der erste Teil „West of honor“ liest sich wie ein 80er-Jahre Actionstreifen mit Stallone, Van Damme oder Lundgren: voller Klischees und moralisch fragwürdigem politischen Subtext, aber unterhaltsamer Action.
Kann man als Guilty Pleasure schon mal lesen wenn nichts besseres zur Hand ist.
Der zweite Teil „The Mercenary“ setzt dagegen mehr auf politische Intrigen als auf Action und das ist dann durch das fehlende literarische Können und die durchscheinende paleo-konservative Ideologie des Autors nicht mehr auszuhalten und bleibt besser in der Mottenkiste des vergessenen Sci-Fi-Trash.
Kann man als Guilty Pleasure schon mal lesen wenn nichts besseres zur Hand ist.
Der zweite Teil „The Mercenary“ setzt dagegen mehr auf politische Intrigen als auf Action und das ist dann durch das fehlende literarische Können und die durchscheinende paleo-konservative Ideologie des Autors nicht mehr auszuhalten und bleibt besser in der Mottenkiste des vergessenen Sci-Fi-Trash.
April 19, 2019
This is a fix-up of "West of Honor" and "The Mercenary" (a reworking of "Peace with Honor") with additional material which I believe adds little to the two original sources. Pournelle's CoDominium world, in which the USA and USSR have united and Col. Falkenberg leads a mercenary unit comprised of former CoDominium marines, is well worth visiting. This is followed by "Prince of Mercenaries."
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September 19, 2019I've read this 4 book series before, and it's reasonably good without being exceptional. I think the weakest part is that most of the characters aren't QUITE (but close) to interesting enough to make you care as much as you should about the story, which is pretty good. The series as a whole is probably 3.5 stars.
January 28, 2026
Details of John Christian Falkenberg's life including recruitment in 2058; evacuation of High Shanghai as a young Lieutenant (and the first thing Senator Bronson marked against him and where he is moved from Fleet to the marines) to Arrarat 2064/2066 where JCF is a Captain.
It then moves to 2087 when JCF is forced out of CoDominium to become a "mercenary" on Hadley. it closes 2093 on New Washington.
It then moves to 2087 when JCF is forced out of CoDominium to become a "mercenary" on Hadley. it closes 2093 on New Washington.
November 11, 2020
Fantastical worlbuilding of a near future Earth and the space it has explored and the military implications of a long distance relationship with Mother Earth who has given birth to too many children.
December 13, 2021
(review coming)
November 18, 2023
ripping military sci-fi adventures
September 22, 2013
Võtsin Falkenbergi ette sest Kingi kolmas tume torn ei edene no mitte kuidagi. Haige peaga muutub see Kingi jahu selliseks eriti nõdraks ajusidtuimestavaks sogaks. Loed paar lehte kuida laskur seletab jõujoontest läbi maailma, paisuvatest ruumidest ning kahest paraleelsest ajast ning sekka veel paar nägemust ning juhe on koos. Tahaks lugeda mingit selget laserpüssi-kabaga-makku kirjandust.
Esialgu ei tahtnud ka Falkenberg edeneda. Algus oli hüplik, sisaldas palju erinevates aegruumides sebivaid tegelaskujusid ning purukuiva loengut raamatu poliitilisest süsteemist. Okei surusin hambad kokku ja pressisin edasi. Ning ajutiselt läkski paremaks. segasevõitu algusele järgnes juba pikem ja märksa selgem sõjalise operatsiooni kirjeldus. Samas kerkis õhku küsimus - kus on ulme? Sõda käis mingite farmerite kaitseks bandiitide eest. See võiks vabalt leida aset ükskõik millises kolkariigis tegelikult. Kosmose mereväelased aga sõdivad (pange nüüd tähele) vintpüssidega! mõned raskekuulipildujad on ka aga peamiselt vindid. Kahurid ka, rakettet isegi pole. Kasutavad nad varustuse vedamiseks muulasid ja aurupargaseid. Ma pole vist peale Bergi "Musta kaardiväge" nii low-tech militaarulmet lugenud. Kusjuures sõjajutuna pole raamat üldse paha, käivad tigedad lahingud, manöörvid jne, tegelased on normaalsed. Aga no see ei andnud rahu, et miks kurat üldse autor kosmoselaevad sisse toppis, kirjeldada ta neid vähemalt ei plaaninudki. Isegi sateliit, mida merejalaväelased kasutavad tundub üks üsna kipakas julk olevat. Oleks siis vähemalt tüüpidel mingid vinged ülikonnad nagu oli "Tähesõdalastes" või mingit normaalsemad projektiilrelvad. Aga ei mitte halligi.
Surusin hambad veelkord tugevamini kokku ja pressisin edasi. Kuid asjatult, lugu vajus veelgi rohkem kreeni. Lõpuks kadusid isegi lahedad lahingud ära, asendudes mingite kolkariikide poliitika korraldamise, valimiste poliitmängude ja tont teab millega. Viimased kümmekond lehekülge lugesin juba diagonaalis. Lihtsalt polnud mitte mingisugust huvi enam. Nõrk värk ühesõnaga, Bergi "Must kaardivägi" on kordi paremini kirjutatud sirgjoonelisem, vähem hüplikum ja ka tunduvalt ulmelisem.
PS: Ja see raamat pole kirjutatud 1990 aastal nagu tagakaas ütleb vaid koostatud 1990 aastal hulgast varasemalt kirjutatud juppidest.
Esialgu ei tahtnud ka Falkenberg edeneda. Algus oli hüplik, sisaldas palju erinevates aegruumides sebivaid tegelaskujusid ning purukuiva loengut raamatu poliitilisest süsteemist. Okei surusin hambad kokku ja pressisin edasi. Ning ajutiselt läkski paremaks. segasevõitu algusele järgnes juba pikem ja märksa selgem sõjalise operatsiooni kirjeldus. Samas kerkis õhku küsimus - kus on ulme? Sõda käis mingite farmerite kaitseks bandiitide eest. See võiks vabalt leida aset ükskõik millises kolkariigis tegelikult. Kosmose mereväelased aga sõdivad (pange nüüd tähele) vintpüssidega! mõned raskekuulipildujad on ka aga peamiselt vindid. Kahurid ka, rakettet isegi pole. Kasutavad nad varustuse vedamiseks muulasid ja aurupargaseid. Ma pole vist peale Bergi "Musta kaardiväge" nii low-tech militaarulmet lugenud. Kusjuures sõjajutuna pole raamat üldse paha, käivad tigedad lahingud, manöörvid jne, tegelased on normaalsed. Aga no see ei andnud rahu, et miks kurat üldse autor kosmoselaevad sisse toppis, kirjeldada ta neid vähemalt ei plaaninudki. Isegi sateliit, mida merejalaväelased kasutavad tundub üks üsna kipakas julk olevat. Oleks siis vähemalt tüüpidel mingid vinged ülikonnad nagu oli "Tähesõdalastes" või mingit normaalsemad projektiilrelvad. Aga ei mitte halligi.
Surusin hambad veelkord tugevamini kokku ja pressisin edasi. Kuid asjatult, lugu vajus veelgi rohkem kreeni. Lõpuks kadusid isegi lahedad lahingud ära, asendudes mingite kolkariikide poliitika korraldamise, valimiste poliitmängude ja tont teab millega. Viimased kümmekond lehekülge lugesin juba diagonaalis. Lihtsalt polnud mitte mingisugust huvi enam. Nõrk värk ühesõnaga, Bergi "Must kaardivägi" on kordi paremini kirjutatud sirgjoonelisem, vähem hüplikum ja ka tunduvalt ulmelisem.
PS: Ja see raamat pole kirjutatud 1990 aastal nagu tagakaas ütleb vaid koostatud 1990 aastal hulgast varasemalt kirjutatud juppidest.
August 5, 2016
Military Sci-Fi that's more military than sci-fi. This story could have taken place in just about any colonial/political environment from the 1900s forward. The weaponry is mostly artillery and bullets, the vehicles are tanks/cars and occasional ocean craft. Star travel and technology play little or no role, save for transporting grunts from one location to another. Scenes take place on different worlds but the "alienness" of those worlds has zero influence... and that's where it fell short for me. Why should I care about the intricate rules of presidential succession or governance on some foreign world? The story doesn't convince me that I should care. It only tries to sell me on how many moves ahead Falkenberg is from anyone else. Alien life and alien atmosphere have zero impact on events. And man's struggle against alien nature, while simultaneously struggling against his fellow man - that's why I read books like this. Wasn't much of that here.
Also, I found repellent Falkenberg's That would be a horrific "war crime" in any universe. I suppose that was the author's point.. that . But from any perspective, those would not be the actions of any "hero" in my estimation.
Also, I found repellent Falkenberg's That would be a horrific "war crime" in any universe. I suppose that was the author's point.. that . But from any perspective, those would not be the actions of any "hero" in my estimation.
May 27, 2014
My husband picked this up at a used book sale, and I was happy to learn that the universe of The Mote in God's Eye had been expanded upon. These "future histories" are dealing with events some hundreds of years before "Mote," however, so no cool aliens - more's the pity! In truth, there's nothing really spectacular or unique in "Legion," although this is not to say that it isn't worthwhile reading. Pournelle's predictions and extrapolation of the decay of not just the US but all Earth society presents a fundamentally less optimistic view of human nature than, say, David Weber - let alone Heinlein - although there are some significant parallels between the US in the CoDominion era and the People's Republic of Haven in the Honorverse. Nevertheless, and taking into account these books were written over 20 years ago now, I have little trouble accepting Pournelle's view as the more plausible. Sad though it may be!
Pournelle as a solo author is a bit deficient in character building, although not ridiculously so. Still, noting that one of my favorite authors, S.M. Stirling, is co-author in follow up novels in this series is a compelling factor to keep me reading!
Pournelle as a solo author is a bit deficient in character building, although not ridiculously so. Still, noting that one of my favorite authors, S.M. Stirling, is co-author in follow up novels in this series is a compelling factor to keep me reading!
May 21, 2016
Good storytelling, with 3 dimensional characters. We see the main character growing into something much bigger to come. The battles aren't super engrossing, but interesting. Lots of political intrigue throughout. I wasn't blown away, but a good first book in the series, and I'll read book 2 soon. (I recommend people read this series in the form of the compilation called The Prince, for completeness. Some material seems to have been added.)
May 10, 2017
I LOVE THESE STORIES! This is a compilation of Pournelle's stories of John C. Falkenberg, the idealistic soldier. I remember my dad reading some of the stories when I was ten or eleven. I then read the book on my own as a teenager. Pournelle's politics are flawless, a great insight into the time (when the stories were written) as well as today. Falkenberg became my childhood hero, and in many ways, still is.
August 24, 2011
A solid but slow starting book, Falkenberg's Legion succeeds in presenting a believable and engrossing military narrative. I would have preferred a more dynamic beginning, but the ending is well worth it.
September 15, 2016
This is one of the best books of military fiction in existence. Great story, great ideas, and lots of extremely well described action.
During the first Gulf War, Baen books sent a lot of material to us, when we were overseas, and this was a favorite
During the first Gulf War, Baen books sent a lot of material to us, when we were overseas, and this was a favorite
January 4, 2009
Good escapist read but not as good as I perhaps was lead to believe. Writing seems a bit all over the place and the book seems like several related novellas put together ... which I think it was.
December 29, 2019
Re-read of the series.
This was written before the fall of the Soviet Union and it shows. Very reminiscent of David Drake's 'Hammer's Slammers' series.
This was written before the fall of the Soviet Union and it shows. Very reminiscent of David Drake's 'Hammer's Slammers' series.
May 5, 2012
Actually the first of the Falkenburg books - excellent read - series is best read in order
May 9, 2012
Another enjoyable book following Falkenberg's Legion
January 1, 2015
Great story. I enjoyed the mixing of cold war with science fiction
November 7, 2014
Great military scifi.
November 30, 2014
Good, but I recommend readingThe Prince to get all of these in order.
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May 20, 2015Science-Fiction
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews