Keith Laumer Books In Order

Publication Order of Bolo Books

Publication Order of Bolos Books

Publication Order of Imperium Books

Publication Order of The Invaders Books

Publication Order of Lafayette O'Leary Books

Publication Order of Retief Books

Publication Order of Time Trap Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of The Avengers Books

Publication Order of Robot Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Keith Laumer

Keith Laumer was a highly acclaimed American science-fiction writer who gained recognition for his memorable characters and storylines. His writing style was often humorous and entertaining, making his stories a joy to read. Laumer’s skill for crafting protagonists was evident in his series such as Bolo and Retief.

His Bolo series followed the evolution of powerful tanks that eventually become sentient through centuries of warfare. His Retief series focused on the adventures of a spacefaring diplomat who often had to face the bureaucracy and failures of characters like Ambassador Grossblunder. Laumer’s own experiences in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Foreign Service likely inspired his writing. His brother, March Laumer, was also a writer, regarded for his adult reinterpretations of the Land of Oz.

Laumer’s writing talents extended beyond creating memorable characters and protagonists. He was known for his ability to craft compelling stories with engaging narratives. His stories often featured futuristic concepts and elements, introducing readers to imaginative worlds and characters. He showed a great gift for presenting readers with a unique vision of the future, often intertwined with themes of morality and justice. With his strong writing skills, Keith Laumer was able to create memorable stories that will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

Keith Laumer’s use of characters and his compelling sense of storytelling were two of the key elements that made his writing so successful. His characters were highly memorable, often possessing unique personalities and backstories. He was able to create characters with which readers could easily connect and sympathize with. Laumer also had a great gift for crafting protagonists, particularly in his Bolo and Retief series. His characters often had to face difficult moral choices and overcome adversity, making them more relatable and inspiring.

In addition to his memorable characters, Laumer’s sense of storytelling was engaging and entertaining. He was able to craft compelling stories featuring imaginative worlds and futuristic concepts, providing readers with a unique vision of the future. His stories often featured themes of morality and justice, making them thought-provoking and interesting. Laumer’s use of character coupled with his compelling sense of storytelling was a major factor in the success of his writing.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1925 on the 9th of June, John Keith Laumer was a proud American who dedicated his life to reading, writing, and serving in the air forces. Raised in Syracuse, New York, he attended Indiana University for one year before serving in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War, based out in Europe. After the war, he studied at Stockholm University and later earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Illinois.

Laumer served twice in the US Air Force, 1953-56 and later in 1960-65. During his second term, he was promoted to the rank of captain. In between his two terms in the military, Laumer worked as a member of the US Foreign Service in Burma. Later, he returned to Florida and bought a small two-acre island on a lake in Hernando County based near Weeki Wachee, where he would reside for the rest of his life.

With a passion for reading and writing, Laumer decided to pursue a career as an author. His first work, a short story, was published in April 1959. He went on to write numerous science fiction stories and novels, finding inspiration in his own life and experiences. Laumer passed away on the 23rd of January, 1993, leaving behind a legacy of creative writing that’s still recognized to this very day.

Writing Career

Keith Laumer was a prolific science fiction writer during his peak years of 1959-1971. He was well-known for his Bolo and Retief stories, which explore themes of time travel, alternate worlds, and artificial sentience. Laumer’s stories often feature lone-wolf, superhuman protagonists and emphasize self-sacrifice and transcendence. He was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards for several of his works, including ‘In the Queue,’ which received nominations for both.

In 1971, Laumer suffered a stroke while writing ‘The Ultimax Man.’ He devised his own treatment regimen and eventually resumed writing, although the quality of his work was never quite the same, as he recycled scenarios and characters from earlier works for later books. After his death in 1993, a posthumous anthology was released, titled Dangerous Vegetables. Other authors have also written standalone works based on his Bolo creations, and the impact of his literary legacy continues to live on.

Bolo

Keith Laumer’s science-fiction space-opera ‘Bolo’ was published on June 1, 1977 by Berkley. It marked the first installment in the ‘Bolo’ series, a collection of classic science-fiction stories. The book was published to wide acclaim, becoming a classic in the science-fiction genre.

The Bolo is an artillery machine developed in the 1980’s by the Bolo Division of General Motors. It has been used to gradually replace man in the human endeavor of war. The Annals of the Dinochrome Brigade is an action-packed book where the ultimate fighting machines relay their own story.

This story ranges from fascinating to tragic, and provides readers with a unique insight into the world of war. Bolos have been designed to be aware and to learn as they fight, making them even more invaluable in warfare.

Retief’s War

‘Retief’s War’ was published on August 2, 1985 and was printed by the publisher Baen. It is the third book in the ‘Retief’ series which follows the story of James Retief, a diplomat sent on various adventures in space. The series is known for its humorous take on space-age espionage and escapades.

The Voions were given police powers by the Diplomatic Corps and were on the brink of taking over the planet. A would-be dictator, a group of Terran rum traders, a crashed spaceship full of beautiful girls, bungling ambassadors, villainous Groaci, tribes of cannibals, giant flying carnivores, and Jame Retief, the unflappable, were all thrown into the mix. The Voions were a rascally race that were making their presence known across the planet, and it was up to the Diplomatic Corps to put a stop to them before it was too late.

Jame Retief and the other characters had to use all of their wit and determination to battle the Voions and save their world from destruction.