Customer Reviews

Man of War, A

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The first thing to say about this powerful book is that it is not your typical Science Fiction. In fact, forget about sci-fi altogether in this book. Sure, there are myriads of worlds throughout the galaxy, with space flight and incredible futuristic weapons and technology.

And that's where it ends. There are no alien races, no "beam me up", no bizarre surreal worlds. This is a war story. This is the story of one man's journey into hell, and he takes you along with him in emotional and heart-gripping trepidation. This war could be any war... the intergalactic one of the story, or any of the countless wars that have plagued human kind since the dawn of time. This could take place today, here and now. The same fears, exaltations, dangers, hopelessness and unrelenting guilt that those who fight in war are vividly portrayed, casting a lesson for all of us.

Written in a very militaristic style, you are there as Chase Aarons goes through basic training and moves up the ranks as a warrior, as you experience one ferocious battle after another. The language and tone are pure military, making the read incredibly real. Mercifully, the author included a glossary of military acronyms for the reader to refer to. Any one who has ever been in the military will identify with the style, and story of this book.

This is not light reading. This is gut wrenching and tear- jerking. And the surprise ending will tear you apart and leaved gasping for breath. War is indeed, hell... for everyone. Especially the survivors.

I like GOOD science fiction that is WELL written. This book exceeded my expectations in both respects. The author has a real talent for writing that repeatedly kept me turning pages late into the night. I really didn't want the book to end (and what an ending!!).

The central character, Chase Aarons, is very human. The reader sees him grow from a boy filled with dreams of his future to a man filled with nightmares of his past. The wars fought and the marvelous (or horrific) machines used to fight them in the far future, never over-shadow the story of this one man and the burdens fate has forced his to carry.

If you like good science or military fiction, then this book is a must read for you. It ranks up there with some of the finer examples of either genre, like Starship Troopers; Forever War; Gates of Fire; Armour; and Enders Game.

Chase Aarons is the best warrior in the galaxy, fighting for Earth at the controls of his mech (Lusk calls them Man O'wars). But he makes a major mistake and is forced to leave. Despite his worst intentions to lose himself in drugs and poverty, he ends up being recruited into an elite anti-terrorist unit, and then has to face the greatest enemy threat to peace the galaxy has ever seen, the nation of Krupp.

This novel is brilliant. It made me think, it made me cry, it made me laugh snot out of my nose. The character of Chase is so fully developed you'd think this was an autobiography.

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was because there are places where it is obvious that Lusk is a first time novelist. Occasionally the language is a bit confusing. But I hope to see something else from him very soon.

Watch out Orson Scott Card, there's a new sci-fi competitor sneaking up on you!

I'm not a real fan of science fiction, but I found the treatment of this subject particularly intriguing in light of the world today. The author Lusk brings a sophistication to this story that makes it a lot more than a war story set in the future. Lusk has obviously read histories of Imperial Rome as well as modern era war and science, since Man O'War does an effective job of blending all these elements together.

Most military scifi portrays combat in ridiculous fashion, is filled with two-dimensional characters, and leaves one feeling relieved when it comes to an end. If that is the kind of tripe you enjoy, then this book is most definitely NOT for you. Mr. Lusk, a veteran of the US Army, knows what soldiers and soldiering are truly like. And with his story of Chase Aarons, he shares these firsthand experiences with us. From his first childhood encounter with a combat mecha, which Lusk calls Man O' Wars, to the climax of his military career, we experience the triumphs and tragedies, the highs and lows, of the life of a protagonist so real you won't be able to put this book down. Be warned: this book will make you rethink everything you've ever thought you knew about soldiers.

"A Man of War" by David Lusk gives you a detailed glimpse towards what our future may hold. Wars on distant planets, terrifying war machines and our present way of living lost centuries ago. What draws Chase Aarons to these impressive war machines begins with simple childhood fear and curiosity. This later becomes the driving force, which makes him a legend, the ultimate warrior, of a man of war. Is it destiny, fate, fear or love that intrigues Chase to choose this dangerous yet, exciting career? Perhaps it is all of the above as his life unfolds in this detailed military story.

Mr. Lusk's knowledge of the military is impressive. This clearly radiates through out his book. For those of us who aren't, he has included a glossary of military terms. His attention to detail commands the reader to press on. His futuristic style reminds me of the movie, "The Terminator". I recommend "A Man of War" for those looking for a well written, action-packed military war story.

Jennifer Ragan

If you've ever read any other giant combat robot novels, such as Battletech, you have no idea what such a book should be like. To find out, read the life story of Chase Aarons, a character so real, so full dimensional, you'll begin to believe he's an actual person. It's obvious that Lusk has spent time in the military, as he actually has clue one what combat is really like, and what it takes in the way of both people and machines to fight a war. A must read book for anyone who enjoys military sci-fi, or just a good war story.

I would say this is one of the best science fiction books I have ever read; sort of like Heinlen's "Starship Troopers." It has some spelling/syntax mistakes (I counted about one per chapter), which the editor/publisher should be ashamed of, but the author did a great job on his part by weaving a compelling story of human heroism and tragedy. More please!

Someone below said this isn't really a science fiction book, and he was right. This is a humanistic book, telling the story of a boy gone off to war and a war gone bad. Chase Aarons is no Luke Skywalker, and there are no aliens and no galactic empires (though the Krupp Hegemony might qualify).

Sure, there are lasers and missiles and space travel and lots of different planets, but the story would be just as inspiring if it had been swords and arrows and Roman galleys sailing to Africa.

Get it. Read it. You'll enjoy it.

I loved it. You know this author has military experience from the way he depicts soldiers. You know he has a science background from the way he deals realistically with future warfare. And you know he is a fan of the genre by the way he makes fun (subtly) of other (bad) attempts to write military sf.