Gaunt's Ghosts: The Founding [Paperback]

Dan Abnett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2008 | Series: Gaunts Ghost

This omnibus edition of the first three Gaunt's Ghosts novels follows the story of the Tanith First-and-Only regiment (nicknamed the Ghosts) and their charismatic commissar, Ibram Gaunt. As they travel from warzone to warzone in the Chaos-infested Sabbat Worlds system, the Ghosts must not only carry out the most dangerous of missions but also survive the deady politics of the Imperial Guard.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dan Abnett lives and works in Maidstone, Kent, in England. Well known for his comic work, he has written everything from the Mr Men to the X-Men. His work for the Black Library includes the popular strips Lone Wolves, Titan and Darkblade, the best-selling Gaunt's Ghosts novels, and the acclaimed Inquisitor Eisenhorn trilogy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Games Workshop (December 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844163695
• ISBN-13: 978-1844163694
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dan Abnett is a novelsit and award-winnig comic book writer. He has written twenty-five novels for the Black Library, including the acclaimed Gaunt's Ghosts series and the Eisenhorn and Ravenor trilogies, and with Mike Lee, the Darkblade cycle. His Black Library novel Horus Rising and his Torchwood novel Border Princes (for the BBC) were both bestsellers. He lives and works in Maidstone, Kent.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid entertainment, April 7, 2007

By 

black thumb (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gaunt's Ghosts: The Founding (Paperback)

This is a great airplane read. The heroes are always in peril, violent action erupts every few pages, and the characters are drawn with enough complexity and humanity that you actually care what happens to them. You don't have to slog through any boring parts to get to the good stuff; it's all good stuff. Don't be put off if you're not into Warhammer or Warhammer 40K or not into RPGs and wargames at all. I used to play RPGs when I was younger (and had more time!), but I never got into the Warhammer universe. But that's no problem here. You don't need to know any of the backstory. Abnett sketches in the universe quickly, and at no point did I ever feel lost or like I was missing out on anything. Think of these as simply good action-oriented military SF. They're not as hard-edged as David Drake's books, but then whose are? Abnett's books are pulpier, more rolicking--heck, just more fun.

One word of special praise. A lot of F&SF, and especially a lot of game tie-ins, suffer from terrible writing. These books don't. I write for a living and keep a copy of Strunk & White under my pillow, and after I've read several of his books Abnett still hasn't done anything to offend my refined sensibilities. Quite the contrary--some of his passages are so eloquent and evocative that I've copied them down and sent them around to friends. If you're used to thinking of gaming fiction as a big bucket of filthy coal, get ready to enjoy a diamond.

If you're looking for intense character-driven drama or Big Idea SF, this is not the place. Abnett is not trying to write like Greg Bear or Isaac Asimov, or David Drake for that matter. He's doing his own thing, and it's a fine thing in its own right. So judged on their own terms--as pure, action-packed entertainment--I give the books five stars.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun... An Introduction to a world I'm anxious to explore., September 30, 2010

By 

Brian D. Timms (CT, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gaunt's Ghosts: The Founding (Paperback)

I read fantasy and sci-fi to explore other worlds and people. The frustrating thing about a lot of it is that I'm always waiting around for a new volume to come out, or sinking a lot of time into a series only for my interest to fizzle. I'm an ex RPG gamer and, while I don't have the group nor the time to play, I still like to delve into the realms. So, I gave this a shot.

I don't play Warhammer (though, maybe I'll have to start), and I have had no knowledge of their fantasy or 40k worlds prior to this book. But I loved it. It was entertaining. I did find characters I want to know more about. And I am anxious to know more about the world. I've even picked up the 40k rulebook for some more background. Abnett does a great job introducing the world by immersing you in it. And I am excited to read more. Very excited. I think the Warhammer worlds may be exactly what I'm looking for. Worlds to be explored in fiction without forcing me to follow series plot-lines. The episodic nature of the fiction is great.

5 stars...

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!!!!, October 22, 2010

By 

Daniel W. Warren (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gaunt's Ghosts: The Founding (Paperback)

I can't get enough of this series...Dan Abnett is a superb writer with how he paints each individual character from the storyline w/ such realism, you can't help but find yourself caring about each of the characters and what happens. The combat is of an epic scale and very, very well-written. But be warned, the author doesn't pull any punches...this is the gritty world of Warhammer 40K, so characters die...and yes, I'll admit to being a bit upset when a favorite gets killed, but it only strengthens the realism and bite of the story itself.

Another thing I wanted to add was how the author captures the Spirit of what it's like to be an Infantryman. Knowing that you're the bottom of the pile and typically you're given the most difficult jobs b/c no one else wants it, but by the same token, you're given these kinds of jobs b/c you're the only ones who can pull it off. Underappreciated and overworked w/ the added bonus of the threat of a messy and painful death just over your shoulder as a constant companion, and the most you could hope for is that it'll be quick. And last, but certainly not least, that camaraderie you share w/ your brothers in arms that you find no where else in life. How you'll find that man to the left and right of you are your brothers in a way that you can't truly explain...and no one else who's never been there can quite grasp...I think Dan Abnett captures that feeling..at least to me he did...Anyway, I've read these books quite a few times over and I'm always pleased to do so b/c I feel like I'm visiting old friends....All in all...I highly recommend this series...