BILL THE GALACTIC HERO
by Harry Harrison
Ibooks (Simon & Schuster) - June 2001
ISBN: 0743423763 - Paperback
SF Comedy
Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com
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Some books make you
want to join the army. Others do the exact opposite and this is one of
the most famous, originally published in 1965 and now reprinted for a
whole new generation of readers by Ibooks with a new introduction by the
author, telling that its genesis has its roots in his own army experience.
Set in the 89th century on a far away planet young Bill wants nothing
more out of life than to work on the family farm and become a Technical
Fertilizer Operator but the army has other ideas when it sees his fine
fit form and expression of bucolic vacancy. The army is hell - he has
a Sergeant Major called Deathwish Drang who can easily be imagined - and
the enemy (a race of seven foot lizards called Chingers) lurk out in space,
waiting for the next batch of raw recruits. But fate has other plans for
Bill involving the golden planet of Helior, rubbish, plastic trays, revolutions
and battle decorations
Wonderfully satirical and full of unexpected twists and turns this is
a hilarious look at army life, war and a planet totally lacking in a Green
outlook. By turns prophetic, surprising, comic and thought-provoking this
is a deftly plotted and intricate look at ourselves and our illogical
obsessions, expectations and desires in a world gone mad. One for the
keeper shelf and if you enjoy this one keep a look out for its sequel
The Planet of Robot Slaves when it comes out next year. In the meantime
share your opinions with other readers at www.ibooksinc.com
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