[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by derrell

Haven't seen any mention of the Starfist books by David Sherman and Dan Cragg. That series peters out towards the newer books but if you want boots on the ground they fit the bill and the early books are enjoyable.

They're drawn "from the life" - David was a Marine in Vietnam. He started as a painter and sculptor, and turned his hand to writing later.

Also you might check out Ringo's Posleen books but like the Starfist books the newer ones I don't care for.

Ringo did some collaborations with other authors set in the Posleen universe. I find them less satisfying than the solo efforts.

The setup is that Earth has been visited by the alien Darhel. The Darhel control what is essentially a galactic empire, and have a problem. The Darhel's holdings are being threatened by the hermaphroditic, centauroid Posleen. The Posleen are a bit like a swarm of interstellar locusts, conquering and totally destroying any worlds they encounter. The Darhel are incapable of fighting, and for practical purposes, so are the other major races in their empire. They need mercenaries to take on the Posleen. They offer a deal humanity can't refuse - advanced technology to Earth, in return for the creation of a fleet and ground forces capable of taking on the Posleen - because Earth is in the Posleen's path.

But the Darhel are also aware that humanity offers what may be more of a threat to their empire than the Posleen. They need a race of warriors, but warriors who are properly subservient and pose no threat to their masters. So the Posleen invasion of Earth may not be humanity's biggest problem...
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Dennis