During the 1960s, I considered Keith Laumer my favorite science fiction writer. My first contact with Laumer’s work was a serial in AMAZING in 1962, A Trace of Memory. It was an adventure that any teenager would love full of action, danger, and suspense. I loved Laumer’s Retief series. Not only did the Retief stories, full of galactic diplomatic skullduggery, specialize in cleverness they also were full of humor. Keith Laumer wrote several stories and SF novels that blended action and adventure and wit. Eric Flint collected the best of Laumer’s humorous work in Keith Laumer: the Lighter Side. This 500 page volume is a bargain and delivers plenty of laughs. In addition to some very funny stories, this collection includes two complete Laumer novels: Time Trap and The Great Time Machine Hoax. If you’re in the mood for some light, comedic science fiction, you’ll find it in Keith Laumer: The Lighter Side.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
In the Queue
The Planet Wreckers
The Body Builders
Time Trap
The Devil You Don’t
The Exterminator
The Big Show
Goobereality
Phototaph
The Great Time Machine Hoax
Afterward
I haven’t read a lot by Laumer except in anthologies like DANGEROUS VISIONS – this collections sounds great, thanks very much George I didn’t know about it.
Sergio, BAEN BOOKS published a series of Laumer collections that included most of his best work. They’re all worth reading.
Sad to think that Laumer is pretty much forgotten.
Very sad, Bill. When I was a kid, I loved A TRACE OF MEMORY and the IMPERIUM series.
I must admit that though I picked up three of the Laumer Baen collections (including this one) I haven’t read more than the odd story here and there. One of these days…
Jeff, Laumer was an Old School SF writer. I have to be in the mood for his kind of fiction.
I was always an on/off reader of Laumer’s work. I’d read a few, then move on to other writers. Then sort off rediscover him again and read more. That’s a pattern that’s repeated itself for many years. Don’t know why unless I can only take small doses at a time. This one might kick off another round.
Randy, when I was a kid, I’d drop everything and read a new Laumer SF novel or short story. But, later, in the 1970s Laumer’s work held less and less attraction for me. I learned, after Laumer’s death, he was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
I remember reading some of these in ASF and I have some Retief stuff, but I need to get these collections.
Rick, the BAEN BOOKS editions are bargains!
Haven’t read any Laumer in years. Used to love the Retief stories which I believe mostly ran in Worlds of If.
Steve, you’re right about many of the RETIEF stories running in WORLDS OF IF. Then Laumer wrote some RETIEF novels.
” Is Is Not Not Is” – I used to have a first of Hoax years ago, but dumped it when the paper began to badly yellow.
No Retief?
George, thanks for this post. I didn’t know about Keith Laumer or about humour in sf. That is a great cover too.
I’m really enjoying the Retief stories. They share a kinship with the Stainless Steel Rat stories that I fell in love with as a kid and still love today. Also really enjoy the Bolo books.
Carl, I’m about to reread the DEATHWORLD trilogy. Maybe I’ll go back and reread the Stainless Steal Rat adventures, too! Retief is Laumer’s best character.
I really like the Deathworld trilogy. I’ve been wanting to reread those myself.