With conflicts arising on far-flung planets and the CoDominium’s control over human colonies waning, John Falkenberg’s Mercenary Legionnaires are in great demand. On Tanith, a prison planet also known for its export of the pleasure drug borloi, Governor Blaine has summoned Falkenberg and his Legionnaires. Young prince Lysander from the planet Sparta has also arrived on Tanith. With shifting alliances, pirates and landowners willing to kill for control of the profitable borloi, Falkenberg, Lysander and others engage in a war over stolen borloi and access to power.
From the author of acclaimed novels such as BIRTH OF FIRE and KING DAVID’S SPACESHIP and co-author with Larry Niven of bestselling novels including LUCIFER’S HAMMER, FOOTFALL and THE MOTE IN GOD’S EYE, Jerry Pournelle delivers a smart, fast-paced novel of future worlds and conflicts.
“A rousing adventure, yet with something to say about the old-fashioned virtues – courage and honor – in the far future.”
- Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine
"Jerry Pournelle is one of science fiction's greatest storytellers."
- Poul Anderson
"Jerry Pournelle's trademark is first-rate action against well-realized backgrounds of hard science and hardball politics."
- David Drake, author of HAMMER'S SLAMMERS
On FOOTFALL: "Rousing ... The Best of the Genre"
- The New York Times
On LUCIFER'S HAMMER: "A megaton of suspenseful excitement."
- Library Journal
Jerry Pournelle (1933-2017) was the author of the popular Janissaries and CoDominium series and co-author with Larry Niven of several bestselling science fiction novels including INFERNO, FOOTFALL, LUCIFER'S HAMMER, OATH OF FEALTY, THE MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, THE GRIPPING HAND, THE BURNING CITY, BURNING TOWER and ESCAPE FROM HELL. He collaborated with both Larry Niven and Steven Barnes on THE LEGACY OF HEOROT, BEOWULF’S CHILDREN, and other works. Dr. Pournelle has advanced degrees in engineering, political science, statistics and psychology. As an aerospace Systems Analyst he participated in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Following a brief tour in academia he was the Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Los Angeles. He was the Science Editor for Galaxy Science Fiction Magazine, and is a past president of the Science Fiction Writers of America. He has written columns on political and technology issues for decades, in addition to his career as a fiction writer. His columns for Byte magazine have been an internet staple for many years. Dr. Pournelle has been involved in the development of government policy on space enterprises and defense, and he is active on several committees for the advancement of science and space exploration. He was Chairman of the Reagan "kitchen cabinet" Citizen's Advisory Committee on National Space Policy, and frequently participates in conferences on the future of technology.
