Legions of Space (Mass Market Paperback)

~ Keith Laumer (Author), Eric Flint (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Two complete novels, and a host of novelettes fill a large volume by the master of science fiction adventure. In the first novel, A Trace of Memory, a drifter named Legion is hired by a millionaire who claims to be centuries old, but has nearly complete amnesia. He can only remember that something is hunting for him, and Legion's job is to protect him. The job turns out to be more than Legion bargained for when he finds himself and his employer on a prehistoric starship hurtling into the unknown. In Planet Run, Laumer joins forces with SF legend Gordon R. Dickson in a novel of two ancient heroes who are going to trade the rest of their lives for one sweet year, and the chance to solve the secret of the last unexplored planet in this sector of the galaxy. Plus four short novels of exciting interstellar action and adventure. With an introduction by Joel Rosenberg, author of the best-selling "Guardians of the Flame" series.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Baen (September 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743488555
• ISBN-13: 978-0743488556
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,385,175 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Laumer, but not the last, December 8, 2006

By	K. Sozaeva "Obsessive bibliophile" (Athens, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the first book (well, technically, set of stories) I have read by Keith Laumer, but it won't be the last. Written from the late 60s into the early 70s, many of these stories still seem fresh today. Space exploration, coming of age, alien invasions - all of these and more are covered in the stories in this excellent book. Although sometimes the writing jumps between scenes without warning, it is for the most part crisp and clean and very enjoyable. Eric Flint did the editing honors and there is a foreword by Joel Rosenbaum that helps to set things into perspective. All-in-all, highly recommended by this reviewer.

4.0 out of 5 stars Free SF Reader, July 12, 2008

By	Blue Tyson "- http://freesf.blogspot.com" - See all my reviews

As the title suggests, this Laumer collection is of the space opera flavour.

It starts and ends with a novel, the first a slightly odd slightly Arthurian bundle of stuff, and the latter an exploration adventure. In the middle are four above average tales of mostly alien encounters in various parts of space.

Legions Of Space : A TRACE OF MEMORY - Keith Laumer
Legions Of Space : THE CHOICE - Keith Laumer
Legions Of Space : THREE BLIND MICE - Keith Laumer
Legions Of Space : MIND OUT OF TIME - Keith Laumer
Legions Of Space : MESSAGE TO AN ALIEN - Keith Laumer
Legions Of Space : PLANET RUN - Keith Laumer

His Name Is Legion.

For a while, anyway.

This novel certainly changes as it goes on. From the start of the book on Earth where an advertisement finds him looking into a case of amnesia - to discoveries of extended lifespans and hunts by the military.

That is not all though, as this ends up way off in space, on another world, and gets going on a somewhat Arthurian theme.

Still another of Laumer's first person tough guys with a sense of humour at the core of it, in admidst all the strange happenings.

3 out of 5


Space grab study death choice denial rules.

3.5 out of 5


No multiple understanding space war co-operation explanation thaw.

4 out of 5


The Big Jump.

4 out of 5


"Dalton's the name, Captain." "That name is known to me. I am Ch'oova. I was with the Grand Armada at Van Doom's world." "The Grand Armada fought wellbut not quite well enough."

3.5 out of 5


A big opportunity awaits, and it is the title of the book:

"For a stake like that, every gambler, pirate, soldier of fortune, and con man in forty parsecs would sell his hope of a ringside seat in hell . . ."

... The right man for the job is available, with a partner, but they have to take a rejuvenation treatment first, that could be deadly.

"Face it, Larry. New land on virgin worlds isn't doled out like slices of cake at a church social. They can make all the rules they want, back at Galaxy Centralbut on Corazon, it'll be nature's old law. It's not the Statistical Average that survivesit's the son-of-a-b1tch that's tougher than the hard case that's hunting him. Maybe the Survey Authorities don't know thator maybe they're smarter than we give them credit for. You don't tame alien worlds with busloads of bureaucrats." "But this arrangement is an open invitation to lawlessness." Henry nodded. "And you can count on it there'll be plenty of takers."

When he and his new straight man get to their destination, it is somewhat of a lawless hive of scwm and villainry, as he expects. Even with an illegal Bolo they will be in big trouble getting out of this one, with all the dodgy dealings around.

An adventure, a survival story, and funny at times, too.

4 out of 5