Armor is, i believe, my favorite science fiction novel ever. It is home to the most implacable enemies that humanity, in all its interstellar expansion, has ever encountered. Sequel to novel armor by john steakley science fiction. I asked him about a sequel or prequel and told him i had some ideas of my own i would share with him. This book is the story of felix an important individual who wants to forget his past and joins fleet to fight in the antwar.
Armor by john steakley overdrive rakuten overdrive. The first, published in 1984, was armor, and while taking clear inspiration from robert heinleins starship troopers, it presupposed the space marine subgenre by a few years. Starship troopers is a good book, but steakley s armor is a great book. This is felixs storya story of the horror, the courage, and the aftermath of combat, and the story, too, of how strength of spirit can be the greatest armor. Browse other questions tagged armor book john steakley.
Armor, by john steakley, depicts battles that engulf humanity in a wartorn future. John steakley is best known for his science fiction writing. Which was odd since he didnt have trouble with people. Dec 11, 2015 john steakley only published two relatively obscure novels in his life. John steakley obituary dallas, tx dallas morning news. John steakleys armor science fiction and fantasy world. Pdf armor book by john steakley free download 426 pages. But he will have to fight a nearly endless horde of berserk, hardshelled monstersthe fighting arm of a species which uses biological technology to design perfect, mindless war minions. The long rumored armor 2 had an excerpt posted on the officialunofficial john steakley website in november of 2004. John steakley has written four short stories, three films, and two novels, including vampires, which was the basis for a john carpenter film. The main characters of this science fiction, fiction story are felix, jack crow. Felix finds himself enlisted as a fleet scout on a planet called banshee to fight monstrous creatures known. Armor library edition by john steakley 9781433294822.
A good movie, or graphic novel could clean up some of these shortcoming, much like the forever war graphic novel did for the novel. Read armor by john steakley available from rakuten kobo. This book is going to join the ranks of the classics of science fiction. About john steakley john steakley 19512010 was an american author best known for his science fiction writing. He has published two novels, including his acclaimed military science fiction novel armor, as well as four short science fiction and fantasy stories. The stark realities of john steakleys military sf novel armor tor. Heinlein s starship troopers such as the military use of exoskeletons and insectlike alien. This book reached out and sucked me in from chapter one. Most science fiction books start off slow, easing the reader into the. Skin armor is only effective versus edged attacks 2.
Heinleins starship troopers such as the military use of exoskeletons and insectlike alien enemies but concentrates more on the psychological effects of violence on human beings rather than on the political aspect of the military, which was the focus of heinleins novel. Upper lamp on lowest gain glowing down to white sheets and yellow hair and golden skinso much gold for so little skinand all of it, the gently rising flat tummy, the wide eyes closed or shielded or hidden. Asimov, bradbury, clarke, dick, heinlein and other sf books. A friend recommended this book based on our similar tastes. The stark realities of john steakley s military sf novel armor. It follows to basic plotlines one is the story of a desperate soldier fighting an impossible war, the other from the point of view of an expirate escaped. Armor is a military science fiction novel by john steakley. Steakley wrote in an interview that he wanted to pay tribute to heinleins starship troopers. The suit protected them as well, automatically and instantly distributing most concussions in an evenly expanding pattern from the point of impact to the entire surface of the armor. Armor book by john steakley half price books marketplace. Listen online or offline with android, ios, web, chromecast. Its been a while since we had some book talk and a previous commenter recommended this one with don having a positive experience, so.
The first edition of the novel was published in december 1984, and was written by john steakley. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of armor. The first, published in 1984, was armor, and while taking clear inspiration from robert heinleins starship troopers, it. Steakleys father owned a chevrolet dealership in dallas from 1962 until he sold it in 1999. Hes on a military starship orbiting a hostile planet called banshee and about to be dropped into combat along with 10,000 fellow warriors.
The military scifi classic in a striking new package felix is an earth soldier, encased in special body armor designed to withstand earths. Armor by john steakley armor it is the story of felix, a man consumed by fear and hatred. July 26, 1951 november 27, 2010 was an american author, best known for his science fiction writing. Part 1 the storys divided into pieces and begins with felix. The military scifi classic in a striking new package felix is an earth soldier, encased in special body armor designed to withstand earths most implacable enemya. Armor by john steakley read free online read best books. Both books are still in print and have been published in several languages. The book is divided into three parts, the first following felix and the. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. The book is divided into three parts, the first following felix and the second jack crow. According to his website, he worked on the incomplete armor ii for years. The long rumored armor 2 had an excerpt posted on the officialunofficial john steakley. To my beloved father, first and foremost john william steakley and to eagle, first and foremost pal, this book is gratefully dedicated. This book is so completely different in both content and quality from his other book.
John steakleys armor 1984, daw is regarded, in many ways, as a companion to heinleins starship troopers. This is felixs storya story of the horror, the courage, and the aftermath of combat, and the story, too, of how strength of spirit can be the greatest armor of all. Nov 27, 2010 john steakley, born 1951 in cleburne, texas was best known for his science fiction writing. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 426 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. The stark realities of john steakleys military sf novel armor. Armor doesnt hide its connections to heinleins famous novel. If the character names are familiar, its because they are recycled from his previous novel, armor. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers.
Born in cleburne, texas, steakley lived most of his life in texas, aside from brief spells in south america and hollywood in his youth. Buy armor 1984 korea edition by john steakley from amazons fiction books store. Armor quotes by john steakley goodreads share book. John steakley books list of books by john steakley. It follows to basic plotlines one is the story of a desperate soldier fighting an impossible war, the other from the point of view of an ex. Jack crow, instead of being a famous space pirate, is now the leader of a group that hunts and kills vampires for profit. In interviews given at the time of publication, steakley is quoted as saying that he wrote the book to explore the combat elements of a starship trooperslike universe. Marks school and graduated from colorado academy, a boarding school in denver. July 26, 1951 november 27, 2010 1 was an american author, best known for his science fiction writing. In the armor novel by john steakley, why was this character killed. July 26, 1951 november 27, 2010 after a long illness, novelist john steakley passed away at his home in mckinney, texas, on november 27, 2010, surrounded by his loving family. Besides being a writer, he has been a stockcar racer, a.
Im a big fan of armor and would be stoked if someone had saved it. Fleets warriors wear state of the art suits of armor. Im currently sitting 3 feet away from a longer armor 2. Besides being a writer, he has been a stockcar racer, a semipro football player, a private detective, an actor, and a car salesman. Standard warrior armor carried blazerifles on each sleeve.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read armor. He was born in cleburne, texas on july 26, 1951 and was the only son of car dealer john william steakley. John steakley, the author of armor and other excellent science fiction, has. Armor by john steakley audio book simply audiobooks. Armor was founded and built by those that have served in all military branches and values all armed service members.
Starship troopers is a good book, but steakleys armor is a great book. The stark realities of john steakleys military sf novel armor j barton mitchell. Armor by john steakley 1984, paperback for sale online. John steakley author of armor goodreads share book.
And he is protected not only by his customfitted body armor, the culmination of 10,000 years of the armorers. Armored legs could propel the fastest around 100 kilometers per standard hour. He was born in cleburne, texas on july 26, 1951 and was the only son of car dealer john william steakley and marjorie elizabeth obannon. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Armor by john steakley and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It has some superficial similarities with robert a. Armor by steakley, john and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. When i found armor, i was initially skeptical that an unknown like john steakley could top the legend heinlein. I tried to access it, but the site no longer exists since he has unfortunately died. Armor has been left in book form, which does not help its least developed portions.
The two plots do intertwine, but the plots arent the appeal of this novel. This particular edition is in a audio cassette format. There is a good reason why john steakleys armor still, after all these years is a common sight on the shelves of your local bookstore. It is a story of the horror, the courage, and the aftermath of combat, and also of how strength of spirit can be the greatest armor. John steakley, born 1951 in cleburne, texas was best known for his science fiction writing. Get 50% off this audiobook at the audiobooksnow online audio book store and download or stream it right to your computer, smartphone or tablet. The honor and character they gained through their military career are the foundation of our core values and armor is committed to helping americas military veterans find work.
Sep 01, 2009 listen to armor audiobook by john steakley. Well, what we ended up with was something much, much more. My account my purchases advanced search browse collections rare books. The title of this book is armor library edition and it was written by john steakley. He published the acclaimed novels armor and vampires, the latter of which was the basis for john. Heinlein s starship troopers such as the military use of exoskeletons and insectlike alien enemies but concentrates more on the psychological effects of violence on human beings rather than on the political aspect of the military, which was the focus of heinleins novel. Armor special body armor has been devised for the commando forces that are to be dropped on the planet banshee, home of the most implacable of humanitys enemies. John steakley was the kind of largerthanlife personality that can only come from texas. He also wrote several short stories in the scifi and fantasy genres.
Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Armor ebook by john steakley 9781101664292 rakuten kobo. Highly competent, he is the sole survivor of mission after mission. A trooper in this armor is a oneman, atomic powered battle fortress. And he is protected, not only by his customfitted body armor, but by an odd being which seems to live within him, a cold killing machine he calls the engine. As i finished armor by john steakley this morning, i laughed from the depths of me. The armor study guide contains a comprehensive summary and analysis of armor by john steakley. Would anyone happen to have saved the excerpt of armor ii that apparently used to be on john steakley s website. I think its one book that all sf afficionados should have. John william steakley, jr 19512010 find a grave memorial. The military scifi classic of courage on a dangerous alien planet the planet is called banshee.
It follows to basic plotlines one is the story of a desperate soldier fighting an impossible war, the other from the point of view of an expirate escaped from prison who joined up with the wrong crew. Jul 08, 2003 for those of you not familliar with it, this is a real goodie. Armor by john steakley the story of a grunt in the invasion of an alien world. Armor has 5 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Its a splatterpunk scifi tale of armoured suits, survival instincts, and millions of murderous aliens on a dustball called banshee. John steakley project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. From what i know about steakley, he intended armor to be a starship troopers with better action scenes.