Tom Kratman Books In Order

Publication Order of Countdown Books

Publication Order of Desert Called Peace Books

Publication Order of Posleen War Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Tom Kratman is a retired US Army officer turned science and military fiction author. Kratman was born in Boston and attended “Boston Latin”, before he quit aged 17 to join the army. He loves to refer to himself as a political defector and refugee from Massachusetts Peoples Republic. He got the name after quitting Boston Latin aged only 17, which caused a lot of his distress for his teachers who thought he had better things to look forward to. He became an enlisted man in the army serving in the 193rd Infantry Brigade in Panama, and the 101st Airborne while attending college during his free time. Learning of his passion for education the Army granted Kratman a scholarship at Boston College, from where he got his degree in 1980. Returning to the military, he was commissioned and served as an infantry officer, before he was sent on a three-year tour in Panama, went to Fort Benning for more schooling, and then nearly five years in Savannah, Georgia with the 24th Infantry Division. He served in Recruiting Command for a while and became the only officer called away from USAREC when the “Gulf War” broke out. He got a transfer to Special Operations Command, and was actively engaged in the war with the 5th Special Forces. While he loved the army, he soon grew tired of the increasingly nonviolent and non-militant tones against communism the army was taking and decided to leave. While he was with the army, he earned the Ranger Tab and a Combat Infantry Badge.

Tom would take leave from the army in 1992 to go to law school. He never loved law school, though he was too determined to quit anything he ever started. He earned his law degree in 1995 and quickly realized that he hated law even more than he did law school. The only saving grace was that he remained in the US Army Reserve, and hence he enrolled on almost every tour available just so he would not practice law. Even when he could not find anything with the reserves, he could always count on the white-collar mercenaries R us (MPRI) for some active duty. In 2003, the Army recalled him after the breakout of the Iraqi War though in a twist of fate he was found to have a coronary issue that ruled him out of combat. After a short period as Director for the Rule of Law for the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute of the US Army War College, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2006 to pursue a career as a full-time writer. He wrote his first novel in 2005 “Watch on the Rhine” in collaboration with John Ringo. Over the years, he has written several essays and been nominated or a Hugo Award for his 2015 published novel “Big Boys Don’t Cry”.

Tom Kratman’s best-known series is the Posleen War series also referred to as The Legacy of the Aldenata. Like most of his military science fiction series, the novels are set in a fictional universe where different races struggle for supremacy. The action starts with the coming together of the Galactic Federation who make first contact with the planet Earth. The Galactics are a peaceful civilization, who report that they are under attack from the People of the Ships otherwise known as the Posleen. Given their lack of experience in fighting and humanity’s long history spearing and blowing each other to bits, the Galactic believe that Earthlings could have something to offer them. Humans are offered the job of mercenary soldiers for the Galactics in exchange for some of the most advanced technologies. In addition, they get a chance to learn how to fight the Posleen that the Galactics believe may head towards Earth if they can conquer the Federations. The Galactics are ruled by the Darhel, one of the most corrupt corporate executives who think nothing of turning their human mercenaries into slave soldiers. However, the humans are so good that they defeat the Posleen only for the Federation to come under attacks from an ever more vicious race. This time the cynical manipulations, mismanagement and corruption of their leaders comes back to bite them. The Posleen War series combine backstabbing, political intrigue, dark humor, and explosive military action to make for one of the most intriguing of military science fiction.

“Watch on the Rhine”, the first novel of the Posleen series is a riveting story of an unstoppable horde that has invaded and conquered entire galaxies. They have now set their eyes on the Darhel star system and look sure to conquer it. However, the Darhel are friendly with humans, and in exchange for advanced technology ask Earth to provide trained soldiers to help in their war effort. The German Chancellor is faced with an important decision in the initial days of the Posleen invasion. The military personnel in Earth possession has been steadily on the decline since economic difficulties forces military cutbacks. With Northern Virginia devastated by an enemy attack, the Chancellor has no choice but to recall some leftover forces of the Waffen SS. Could he have made one of the most terrible of bargains in offering a hand to the reviled SS, or could this turn out to be one of the most rational decisions ever made to save the planet?

“Yellow Eyes” the second novel in the series continues where the explosive situation that concluded the first left off. The Posleen are coming to Earth and the experts are warning that if they manage to cut off the Panama Canal, the US would face certain defeat and starvation. Despite having an under strength military, the US decides to bet everything on defending the Canal. The Armored Combat suits who are veteran soldiers from past wars have had their bodies rejuvenated with new technology from the Darhel. The soldiers once fought in Panama when it was once a client state of the United States. They also have three ancient ships, which are the only type the soldiers can understand how to operate. The novel comes full of detailed descriptions of politics, colorful characters, and beautiful landscapes of the jungles and plains of Panama. Yellow Eyes takes a hard look at what an alien invasion of a race more intelligent than earthlings could turn out for humanity. Fortunately, the veterans that fight in Panama have more than guts and wits.