The Wolfe Pack #1 Strong-Arm Tactics (Bk. 1) [Hardcover]

Jody Lynn Nye (Author), Don Maitz (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Wolfe Pack | Publication Date: February 25, 2006

Lt. Daivid Wolfe has been assigned to X-Ray Company, a repository for outsiders, oddballs, and undesirables that the Galactic Defense Force doesn't want to have to deal with but can't find a legitimate way to discharge. He is the eldest child and only son of one of the most powerful figures in the Thousand Worlds Confederation, who can't imagine why Daivid would ever want to join the army. Central Command - uneasily aware of his connections - sent him to the most unsavory unit in the space service, the Cockroaches. Wolfe takes the assignment as almost a sacred cause, determined to straighten out his company, whip it into a self-respecting fighting force, and make it proud of itself. As for the Cockroaches, they've chewed up and spat out gung-ho young lieutenants before-but have they underestimated Daivid Wolfe? They're sent on what ought to be a cream-puff assignment, a simple courier mission to the greatest amusement park in the galaxy, and end up defending the population from a ruthless enemy in the only way the Cockroaches know how: unconventionally.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Nye, already well-known for her humor, offers an amusing but effective military sf novel in the story of Lieutenant David Wolfe, assigned command of the misfit X-Ray Company by superiors who hope this will either wreck his career or make the company, known as the Cockroaches, a conventional military unit. Neither happens. In the course of fighting a campaign in a gigantic amusement park with criminal and alien influences, Wolfe recognizes that the Cockroaches' unconventionality is their great strength, and the Cockroaches recognize that this officer is almost worthy of commanding them. The book has something in common with the Phule's Company series by Nye's occasional collaborator Robert Asprin but is in many ways more straightforward, better developed, and not less amusing. The conclusion gives Wolfe a couple of nasty surprises, darkening the overall tone but also strongly suggesting that Wolfe and the Cockroaches will be back. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Jody Lynn Nye, author of the Mythology novels and co-author of the Myth Adventures novels with Robert Asprin, returns with the first novel in a brand new series! The Wolfe Pack is military SF with a twist.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Meisha Merlin Publishing, Inc. (February 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592220444
• ISBN-13: 978-1592220441
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,540,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book to Read, March 26, 2006

By 

Claus "cryoruggie" (Prior Lake, MN United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Wolfe Pack #1 Strong-Arm Tactics (Bk. 1) (Paperback)

Though the plot was predictable - what plot isn't after all these years - it was a fun read. ...Newbie commander takes over a group of misfits and does good... And the author treated an old plot well.
I was going to cite Phule's regiment, Starship Troopers, Yadda Yadda Yadda and make erudite little comparisons. But that would be doing the book a disservice.
The book develops the characters well, has (mostly) credible action, and is a good read. Not only is the hero (Wolfe) developed, but also the rest of the characters in the company. There is a nice sense of anticipation as the mystery past of the characters may be revealed. We do know that they were all really good at something before they got blacklisted. And Wolfe's little black book ( actually a data card) is great...
The book finished up with a climactic battle against staggering odds in a Wallyworld of the future, and an evil psychotic would-be conqueror gets his just deserts.
Looking forward to buying the sequel.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast, Funny and Touching, May 18, 2006

By 

J. Rabe (Kenosha, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wolfe Pack #1 Strong-Arm Tactics (Bk. 1) (Paperback)

Strong-Arm Tactics has a dash of M*A*S*H in it, a cup of the wahoo action from Star Wars, and a sprinkling of a good romance. Mixed together, all the ingredients are there for an excellent SF tale that leaves you hungry for the next installment.

Jody Lynn Nye has served up an endearing adventure filled with wonderful, crazy characters that often seem far too real.

Highly recommended. A most enjoyable read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Series needs a new home(publisher), October 25, 2009

By 

Ed Yepez "ELY" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wolfe Pack #1 Strong-Arm Tactics (Bk. 1) (Hardcover)

Happened upon this book at the local library. Looking for a military SF read. Sharp ironic humor (sorta like "Black Adder Goes Forth") is an added benefit! After looking around on the internet, I finally checked the Authors webpage. Checked out the FAQ's and found out that the series has been "orphaned" by the demise of it's publisher, Meisha Merlin.
See previous reviews, I agree whole heartedly with them.
I've read (and bought!) enough military SF over the last 35yrs to be able to say this series deserves a home, and that home will benefit as well by adopting this orphan. Jodie Lynn Nye has plenty of other successful work, so she's a proven talent. The book publishing business sure is strange.