FORGOTTEN BOOKS #228: KEITH LAUMER: THE LIGHTER SIDE Edited by Eric Flint

KeithLaumerTheLighterSide_baen
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

17 thoughts on “FORGOTTEN BOOKS #228: KEITH LAUMER: THE LIGHTER SIDE Edited by Eric Flint

    1. george Post author

      Sergio, BAEN BOOKS published a series of Laumer collections that included most of his best work. They’re all worth reading.

      Reply
  1. Jeff Meyerson

    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…

    Reply
  2. Randy Johnson

    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.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply
  3. Steve Oerkfitz

    Haven’t read any Laumer in years. Used to love the Retief stories which I believe mostly ran in Worlds of If.

    Reply
  4. Stan Burns

    ” 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?

    Reply
  5. Carl V. Anderson

    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.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      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.

      Reply

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