Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Kindle
$9.99

Available instantly

Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
from $200.00

Paperback
$19.79

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Tuesday, January 30 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 16 hrs 36 mins

Select delivery location

In Stock

$$19.79 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

Returns

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

Read full return policy

Payment

Secure transaction

Payment

Secure transaction

We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more

Details

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery February 3 - 8 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or fastest delivery February 3 - 6

Select delivery location

Used: Good | Details

Sold by Jenson Books Inc

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Other Sellers on Amazon

Added

Not added

$17.20
& FREE Shipping

Sold by: MyPrepbooks

Added

Not added

$14.58
+ $3.95 shipping

Sold by: ZiFiti

Added

Not added

$15.82
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: BunkoBooks

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Iain M. Banks

Follow

Use of Weapons (Culture) Paperback – July 28, 2008

by Iain M. Banks (Author)

4.1 4,830 ratings

Book 3 of 9: The Culture

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$19.79","priceAmount":19.79,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"19","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"79","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"vWmYERg9cTYinhacOpNlDJSF16aSbvd0Th9%2BH86bS08kc%2BI25kA%2FI6MOUW1Ep9Mfq%2BOyTfSV8x6lb8NdmnbJbvxd0VLuzgrkwZ%2F2oj7uAxqkZfLsASxbeRjsxB6X7%2FIpqav6wgTkT4k%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$13.81","priceAmount":13.81,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"13","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"81","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"vWmYERg9cTYinhacOpNlDJSF16aSbvd08hyW%2BXSTaibgib99nmC6n91OQlBrJ6lYdt9W8tlexKEolt4b9CLwYpng1aa7v78WoaPjctoIS3FA41rC8HxSOP0umR4oS03Mh8pyaKIqdSAFwpPb1XMW8a%2BPpsyRLwZyvjjCoShoT2ojcnmr1lFfUpUmirh%2FJj4T","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

The man known as Cheradenine Zakalwe was one of Special Circumstances' foremost agents, changing the destiny of planets to suit the Culture through intrigue, dirty tricks and military action.

The woman known as Diziet Sma had plucked him from obscurity and pushed him towards his present eminence, but despite all their dealings she did not know him as well as she thought.

The drone known as Skaffen-Amtiskaw knew both of these people. It had once saved the woman's life by massacring her attackers in a particularly bloody manner. It believed the man to be a lost cause. But not even its machine could see the horrors in his past.

Ferociously intelligent, both witty and horrific, Use of Weapons is a masterpiece of science fiction.

The Culture Series
Consider Phlebas
The Player of Games
Use of Weapons
The State of the Art
Excession
Inversions
Look to Windward
Matter
Surface Detail
The Hydrogen Sonata

Book 3 of 9

The Culture
Print length

512 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Orbit
Publication date

July 28, 2008
Dimensions

5.5 x 1.28 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10

0316030570
ISBN-13

978-0316030571
See all details

Frequently bought together

$19.79

Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jan 30

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

$14.59

Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jan 30

Only 17 left in stock (more on the way).

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

+

$14.99

Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jan 30

In Stock

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Total price:

To see our price, add these items to your cart.

Try again!

Details

Added to Cart

Some of these items ship sooner than the others.

Show details Hide details

Choose items to buy together.

Iain M. Banks
2,405
Paperback
45 offers from $13.45
Iain M. Banks
3,392
Paperback
35 offers from $8.83
Alastair Reynolds
4,391
Paperback
46 offers from $5.78
William Gibson
15,375
Paperback
83 offers from $6.42
Ursula K. Le Guin
11,827
Mass Market Paperback
40 offers from $4.97
Stanislaw Lem
4,943
Paperback
53 offers from $7.48

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Iain Banks came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984. Consider Phlebas, his first science fiction novel, was published under the name Iain M. Banks in 1987 and began his celebrated ten-book Culture series. He is acclaimed as one of the most powerful, innovative and exciting writers of his generation.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orbit; Reprint edition (July 28, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316030570
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316030571
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.28 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #96,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,125 in Space Operas
- #2,215 in Military Science Fiction (Books)
- #3,347 in Science Fiction Adventures

Customer Reviews:
4.1 4,830 ratings

Important information

To report an issue with this product or seller, click here.

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Iain M. Banks

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Iain Banks (1954-2013) came to widespread and controversial public notice with the publication of his first novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984. Consider Phlebas, his first science fiction novel, was published under the name Iain M. Banks in 1987 and began his celebrated ten-book Culture series. He is acclaimed as one of the most powerful, innovative and exciting writers of his generation.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5

4,830 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Reviews with images

See all photos

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

bookBurner_01

Great book! A bit of a long one too!

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book was initially published in 1990. This book's narrative style was just mindblowing. It was probably the most unusually structured story in an equally unusual world. The story of Zalkawe was an interesting one for sure and his exploits throughout time.
Firstly, I'd like to say this read was difficult. I could only imagine the struggles of first time readers to this story. I can already tell that the re-read will be so much more special since I know everything and want to just clarify it. The Culture's capabilities with managing morals and capacity for creativity when it comes to primitive systems is a pleasure to behold. Zalkawe has done so many missions and see so much. I was just awaiting his retirement into paradise. Each book makes me reflect deeply how Ian M. Banks needed to remain a part of this world and his journey ended too soon.
By the time I crossed the 80% threshold, this book was full speed and unable to be stopped. The story had come full circle and the most powerful act was poised to begin. I was unable to believe what I was reading as the ending came into focus.

Compared to Player Of Games, I think I like that one more. I would definitely recommend it when it comes to introducing people to this Universe. I am excited for what the next book offers and what comes next.

Helpful

Keith G. Rowley

Expertly-constructed; dense and opaque

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2019

Verified Purchase

Having just finished reading this novel for the second time, after the first time about 25 years ago, I’m revising my stars from 5 to 4 because, while the novel is very well constructed, it is also a difficult read. It took me several weeks to slog through the first 90% of the book. It was just very difficult to follow what was going on, and how the several scenes and storylines were related. 25 years ago, when I first read this novel, I was in college and I was actually a English major and maybe back then I was more available and open to this kind of dense literature. But now in my mid-50s, maybe I’m just tired of having to work so hard. The conclusion is the apex of the story, and that’s what I have remembered about this book for 25 years. But the twist — and here’s a spoiler — that our narrator is unreliable, I do not remember from 25 years ago. So that was a nice surprise, and made me want to go back and read the whole damn story again to find out if there were clues to this twist, and also to revisit the alternating chapters to see if I can find out who is the real protagonist.

So, while the story is extremely intriguing and dense, I just don’t think I have the time and energy left in my days to slog back through this novel yet again and actually do the investigation that this powerful story warrants. I shall, perhaps, do some web research to see if others have already done the digging for me.

17 people found this helpful

Helpful

Gregory F. Pfister

The Snark was a Boojum. So what?!

Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2013

Verified Purchase

Oh, Noes! Drizzle (I can’t pronounce and refuse to spell her actual name) must be interrupted in her role as The Kardashian Who Arranges Peace Conferences, and even has to cut short her seduction of a pale, hip, new Artist, because She is The Only One who can convince Zalkawe (or something like that) to help, and Zalkawe is The Only One who can convince whatzisface (I completely give up) to help, and watzis is The Only One who can, by power of sheer inner moral persuasion, convince an entire star cluster from having itself a nice religious-ish interstellar war.

Poor Drizzle. She even has to leave behind her cute little space bunnies. (I swear I am not making that up.) But not to worry, her instantly-created double, with all her memories, will take care of them. And fill in as The Kardashian Who etc. But no sex for the double, because Drizzle is a spoilsport.

If you’re wondering why they are The Only Ones, forget it. No explanation in the book that I could fathom. That’s just a skyhook on which to hang a bunch of fairly inventive and actually enjoyable adventure fiction that is presented in two separate streams: Space adventure in Drizzle’s universe of the Culture, with its 30-kilomeer superintelligent and hyperpowerful spaceships, as Drizzle finds Zalkawe and leaves wide open the question why he was supposedly so hard to convince; and a second thread of roughly WWI/WWII-technology war fiction, with some incongruous but fun elements, in the Zalkawe thread and the part after finding watzisface, which also leaves wide open the question of why watzis was so hard to convince.

The two threads run in alternating chapters, with the old-timey (“primitive”) ones numbered in roman numerals, running backwards, which those old-time episodes also do in time. (I’ve heard people complain that they were confused by this. I strongly advise them to grow another brain cell.)

The two streams roughly meet in time at the conclusion. At that point, an ultimate, universe-shattering, plot-destroying, non sequitur occurs, the source of my title. Unfortunately, that will have to remain unexplained here, since to talk about it would be a MAJOR SPOILER and I’m not into writing those.

I originally picked up this book because it was recommended by China Miéville, a wonderful fantasy author (Read!! “Perdido Street Station” Read!!) who also happens to be an avowed and active Socialist. He recommended it as a depiction of a perfect socialist state, obviously referring to the Culture. I had no idea what that could mean, so I got the book. All I can say is: Well, China, I guess so. There are passages in which Zalkawe has the Culture explained to him. The only thing standing out to me is this: Despite how meaningful people’s actions are said to be to them, I end up not seeing much use for humans in the Culture. They’re all just Kardashians. Or Kardashian wanna-be’s.

Actually, I’m personally starting to have a hard time finding much use for Banks. His books just seem very interesting in the title, jacket, promo material, etc., but for me they regularly disappoint, just seeming… bland. Suburbia in space. I find more sense of wonder, of strangeness, in one page of, say, Alastair Reynolds than in all 500+ pages of “Use of Weapons.” ”Inception” came close, I will admit, until near the very end when, as in “Use of Weapons,” the entire point turned into something bland and/or just incomprehensible.

But never the less, the middle 300+ pages of “Use of Weapons” are an easy read with some rollicking adventure, as they say, so enjoy as you will. Just don’t expect any real consistency or motivation. I never felt bored; just disappointed.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Monica de Castro

Simplesmente o melhor!

Reviewed in Brazil on December 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

Fazia tempos que eu não lia um livro tão envolvente. Zakalwe, o protagonista, é ao mesmo tempo complexo e intrigante. O final é chocante e inesperado, nada clichê, imprevisível e de uma crueldade tal que chega a ser poético. Essa frase, em especial, resume e vale pelo livro inteiro: “But such consummate skill, such ability, such adaptability, such numbing ruthlessness, such a use of weapons when anything could become weapon…”

Translate review to English

Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2018

Verified Purchase

Complex story, well told, well crafted. Unusual plot line keeps you thinking and wondering, right up until the end.

Nura

..savage child

Reviewed in India on December 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

The unlikely winner of the Banks oeuvre. To me atleast.

Just plough past the confusion created by the structure of the book and the sometimes self indulgent reveries and you will find yourself reading a gripping story about a flawed military genius who does everything, and absolutely anything, to win a fight.

Werner G.

So angry at the book I read it all over again

Reviewed in Germany on November 23, 2017

Verified Purchase

The first book that left me speechless at the end, raging against the author, the main character, everyone... I immediately had to read it again.

So yeah, for being the first book that got me to read it twice in a row, 5 stars. Read it. You'll either hate it or love it. And pay attention to the numbering of the chapter - one timeline moves forward, the other back.

4 people found this helpful

Translate review to English

Gerardo

Excelente

Reviewed in Spain on July 2, 2018

Verified Purchase

Una de las mejores novelas de Iain M banks pertenecientes a La Cultura.Emocionante,original y llena de suspense.El final es sorprendente.Banks otorga a esta novela un estilo muy literario jugando con los narradores,el punto de vista y la cronologia de los hechos.Altamente recomendable.

Translate review to English

See more reviews

Amazon Prime includes:

Buy new: $19.79$19.79 FREE delivery: Tuesday, Jan 30 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon. Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used: $13.81

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the author

Use of Weapons (Culture) Paperback – July 28, 2008

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

Similar items that may ship from close to you

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Product details

Important information

About the author

Iain M. Banks

Customer reviews

Reviews with images

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

Buy new:

$19.79

FREE delivery: Tuesday, Jan 30 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.

Ships from: Amazon.com

Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used:

$13.81