Not bad - as good as many of Laumer's Retiefs - but I don't think I'll reread it. At least I managed to finish it this time - previous attempts all foundered on the first couple of chapters, where Keith was trying to out-Laumer Laumer. The stupid puns, "meaningful" names, and sayings with random gibberish stuck in were so thick as to render it unreadable. The depiction of the students was also intensely stupid - stereotypical, of an expired stereotype. But I managed to slog through, and the writing got much better when the action started. Keith's military background, as opposed to Laumer's diplomatic experience, shows up pretty clearly. But overall, the story still has a flavor of Retief. Convoluted plots, official obliviousness to the real differences inherent in alien body plans, Retief applying clear thinking and physical violence to the problem and solving it...oh, and ending up with the girl, of course. Two nice bits right at the end - the psychological effect of Retief's method of defeating the general, and the menu error at the party, were both rather neat. And the running gag with the made men, too - particularly how it ended. Lots of nice bits, but it doesn't quite (at the moment, anyway) add up to something I want to reread. ( )

As good as Laumer's originals, updated for contemporary politics. Pro-military jabs at Berkely for university PC and stupidity, and the Peace Movements of the seventies and today. Also criticizes government ban on opium (I think). ( )

Moderately worthy successor to the original. Totally captures the right tone. Political jabs and thrusts abound in a transparent morality play addressed to post-9/11 America.

But, I will stick to the originals. ( )

Sample Chapters: http://webscriptions.net/chapters/1416509003/1416509003.htm