BILL THE GALACTIC HERO by Harry Harrison
Ibooks (Simon & Schuster) - June 2001
ISBN: 0743423763 - Paperback
SF Comedy

Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde, MyShelf.com
Buy US || UK

Some books make you want to join the army. Others do the exact opposite and this is one of the most famous, originally published in 1965 and now reprinted for a whole new generation of readers by Ibooks with a new introduction by the author, telling that its genesis has its roots in his own army experience. Set in the 89th century on a far away planet young Bill wants nothing more out of life than to work on the family farm and become a Technical Fertilizer Operator but the army has other ideas when it sees his fine fit form and expression of bucolic vacancy. The army is hell - he has a Sergeant Major called Deathwish Drang who can easily be imagined - and the enemy (a race of seven foot lizards called Chingers) lurk out in space, waiting for the next batch of raw recruits. But fate has other plans for Bill involving the golden planet of Helior, rubbish, plastic trays, revolutions and battle decorations…

Wonderfully satirical and full of unexpected twists and turns this is a hilarious look at army life, war and a planet totally lacking in a Green outlook. By turns prophetic, surprising, comic and thought-provoking this is a deftly plotted and intricate look at ourselves and our illogical obsessions, expectations and desires in a world gone mad. One for the keeper shelf and if you enjoy this one keep a look out for its sequel The Planet of Robot Slaves when it comes out next year. In the meantime share your opinions with other readers at www.ibooksinc.com