Phule's Company (Paperback)

~ Robert Asprin (Author) "Some have commented that the executive mind tends to expand work to fill, or overfill, available time..." (more)
Key Phrases: wrist communicator interrupted, glide board, bell guard, Red Eagles, Super Gnat, Captain Jester (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Behind the puerile punning names and extraterrestrial setting stands a modest, winning story about a commander who builds a company of misfits, rejects and even a few aliens into a disciplined military outfit. Tricked into taking on the worst detachment in a far outpost of the Space Legion, Captain Willard Phule uses every resource in his control, particularly his immense wealth and his knowledge of how to motivate and lead people, to whip his skeptical crew of strays into shape and make them feel that they have, at last, found a home. This lighthearted tale is part science fiction, part spoof, part heart-warmer, its farcical elements pitted against the proper, stuffy voice of Phule's butler, Beeker, whose wry commentary precedes each section of narrative. Phule rings true as an astute entrepreneur of the human (and nonhuman) spirit. The psychological acumen that colors Asprin's characterizations, Phule in particular, gives the book the verisimilitude that is the essence of successful science fiction. Asprin wrote the Myth series.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Meet the soldiers of Captain Willard Phule's Company--a handful of military rejects able to do more damage before 9 A.M. than most people do all day. Threatened by an alien enemy, Earth's military sends Phule and his soldiers to a distant planet. But now, the aliens have chosen a new target of war . . . Phule's Company. Original.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Ace; 1st THUS edition (July 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044166251X
• ISBN-13: 978-0441662517
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #242,398 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phule's Company will have you giggling throughout...., October 30, 1996

By A Customer

This is the beginning of Robert Asprin's funniest series to date. He's managed to create characters that are likeable as well as realistic enough that you can genuinely care about them. The story is set in a technologically advanced society, but it's not so complex as to alienate you. Willard Phule, the main character, is an interesting guy to read about. Being one of the youngest megamillionaires in the galaxy, you wouldn't think he'd join the military. But he does... and not just any branch, but the Space Corps--the laughingstock of the military. The antics will have you hitting the floor on several occasions, I'm telling you. Believe me, by the time you finish the book--which won't be long--you won't rest until you find the sequel. Have at it

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is to laugh... or shoot shomething, September 2, 2001

By	Anthony Hinde (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Robert Asprin is probably more famous for his Myth books than the Phule books but I happen to think the first two Phule novels are much funnier. I'm talking laugh out loud funny. They are also quite addictive and it is difficult not to read each in one sitting. Fair warning though, I'm fairly sure "Phule's Company" and "Phule's Paradice" are the only two novels in the series that were written by Asprin, so buyer beware for the rest.

The basic concept revolves around one key individual. A career military commander who has the happy knack of getting the most out of his people and achieving even seemingly impossible goals. The trouble is, this paragon of virtue is also a rich playboy who is an officer in the Space Legion; a branch of service despised by all the others. He also enjoys the active animosity of some very high ranking brass, who like nothing better than to set him up for failure.

It is just such an attempt that puts Captain Phule in charge of the Omega company; a band of ruthless, capitalistic, incompetent, belligerent misfits who's sole purpose seems to be to make the rest of the legion look a little better by comparison. Half the fun of these novels is watching this group of interesting characters turn their unique talents for mayhem to good ends, or at least Phule's ends. I don't promise you Shakespeare but you will get a kick out of Phule's Company.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phule is Phun, June 6, 2001

By	Sissalou "sissalou" (SAINT CLAIR, MI USA) - See all my reviews

If you are looking for something light and entertaining and something enjoyably different from the Star Trek or Star Wars series, try Robert L. Asprin's Phules books for a good start. I recommend that you read them in order. Start with this one, "Phule's Company." The other reviewer answered some plot questions, so I won't repeat any of that here. The purpose of this review is solely to say that this book and its series are an OK place to start looking for an alternative source of light science fiction.

There is nothing too heavy, too outrageious, or too violent in this series. They are somewhat dated (Phule uses something very akin to a laptop computer and wireless communication which was way-out science fiction when the first book was written). But, you can overlook that if you want to just enjoy a fun read (similar to the Doc Savage-type books where an answering machine was an fabulous invention).

Asprin uses some good old-fashioned character conflict to keep the reader interested. Everyone loves an underdog (which Phule is) that makes good. Phule isn't perfect, but he tries hard to do a good job even if it involves some risk and is a likeable character.

I gave the book 4 stars because it is "OK." I reserve five-star ratings for larger, more complex plots, and books that leave me feeling put out to sea, or at least decidedly different.

Go ahead and buy this book, you cannot help but be entertained.