45 replies to this topic

[Psydotek]

Or if you're looking for less story and more data, any and all of the tech readouts (TRO) and core rulebooks will also provide quite a bit of the feel and information of the universe.

I have never read any of the novels but have read and reread quite afew of the rulebooks and know quite abit of the "larger picture" of the Battletech universe.

[Krubarax]

Sorry if I borrow this thread a little, but it seemes many of you guys are quite "read up" on BT.
I have been looking for a book/text which describes how Star Colonel Ragnar got taken as bondsman from the wolves, by Clan Ghost Bear, and how he himself, adapted to his new clan.

I remember him being quite stubborn at first, when he was taken by Clan Wolf, but thanks to Phelan, he adapted pretty fast.
I am curious to how he took it, being taken bondsman again, and having to learn how to function in his new clan.

I guess this story is in one of the source books, quiaff?

[Strum Wealh]

GB_Krubarax, on 05 March 2012 - 05:32 PM, said:

Sorry if I borrow this thread a little, but it seemes many of you guys are quite "read up" on BT.
I have been looking for a book/text which describes how Star Colonel Ragnar got taken as bondsman from the wolves, by Clan Ghost Bear, and how he himself, adapted to his new clan.

I remember him being quite stubborn at first, when he was taken by Clan Wolf, but thanks to Phelan, he adapted pretty fast.
I am curious to how he took it, being taken bondsman again, and having to learn how to function in his new clan.

I guess this story is in one of the source books, quiaff?

Well, the Sarna article for the character lists a few books as its sources; I would guess that those would be the places to look.

WhenKatzComes, on 05 March 2012 - 06:30 AM, said:

So I'll admit.. while I have been a drooling MW fan since I figured out how to use my Dad's first DOS computer as a wee one.. and still run DOS box (which now perplexes my dad..) to enjoy the same content I did when I was younger, I've never read any books from the Battletech universe. The forums, dev speak, and atmosphere here are swampy with content that I can piece together based on my experience with the franchise.. but I'd love to sink my teeth into a couple (... all?) of the books that came ouf of the battletech universe.

What better place to ask for recommendations?

So .. can I get some ideas? Books based on quality AND the order in which they aught to be read =]

Cheers
~Katz

While somewhat dated, Sarna.net (the BattleTech/MechWarrior wiki) does have links to downloadable versions of the old source books for each of the Great Houses (Davion, Kurita, Liao, Marik, and Steiner).
Each is written in the form of an analysis of each House and its associated Successor State (as of 3025) by ComStar adepts.

[EDMW CSN]

Warrior Trilogy and the Gray Death Legion books.

[S3dition]

Go to Amazon and request every book be published to the kindle.

Once the publisher finally caves, buy for your phone for ~$7.

[SeDevri]

The Warrior Trilogy and the Blood of Kerensky Trilogy are both GREAT series and give you the most input about the universe in this timeframe. I buy almost all of my Battletech/Mechwarrior books from the site www.abebooks.com Great site and pretty damned cheap too.

[NikkoKilla]

GB_Krubarax, on 05 March 2012 - 06:59 AM, said:

I think this linky is better:
http://en.wikipedia....ttleTech_novels

I have *almost* all of them, and I have read them on an avarage of 3/4 times each.
Can not get enough!

I bought all my books on ebay.
Some are cheap (got a few for $1 plus shipping)
and some are rare and a lot more expensive (still missing The Sword and the Dagger and Heir to the Dragon)

So its been a few days since I asked for everyone's input.. [Redacted] They read wonderfully on my nook and i've burned through decision at thunder rift and am almost finished with the sword and the dagger.

Fun fact, I read quite a bit but mostly scientific articles for work... and reading for pleasure is sort of a decadent escape I kind of equate with video games at this point haha. But, the vocab in these books is unlike others I have read recently.. I'm learning words i've never used before and I'm genuinely pleased with the plot structure, narrative detail and quality of writing from these novels!

The only bummer about the epubs is the OCR quality causes random punctuation to be lost, or the occasional mis-scanning of 'tl' to 'd' things like that. Once you get used to it though theres no reduction in the reading experience.

Thanks all for your comments!

Edited by Egomane, 14 June 2013 - 09:10 AM.

[Morgana]

Thanks for the epub link. I've acquired a few books, but was missing a few I see should be read. Now I'll know where to get them, once I hit their time in the genre.

[Boymonkey]

I went to my library yesterday and found about 6 audiobooks Double blind,Heir to the dragon and more all for free

[Seabear]

A word of warning: once you start on the BT books you will be HOOKED. Bet you can't read just one!

[Tifalia]

"The Legend of the Jade Phoenix trilogy" ('Way of the Clans', 'Bloodname', 'Falcon Guards') by Robert Thurston (they are one of the very early books in the series so it will be no problem in understanding everything) as well as 'Main Event' and 'D.R.T.' - both by Jim (James) Long.

Those books are what captured my fascination and turned me into the die hard Mech Jockey I am today.

What better reason to read them than that?

[Zarkan]

Mechground is still up if it's the Technical readouts your looking for.

[Artgathan]

I recommend checking used bookstores in your area. I picked up tons of battletech books for $3-5 apiece.

[Morgana]

Gonna try to keep up with NGNG's Book club. They are reading them in order, with a chance to discuss each week. Sleep? What's sleep?

[Johann Devalis]

I have a secret source for ALL the book (I believe) in .doc format. PM me for the info.

[JoeVolcano]

Seabear, on 12 March 2012 - 05:43 PM, said:

A word of warning: once you start on the BT books you will be HOOKED. Bet you can't read just one!

From the FAQ I've gathered Mechwarrior Online is about Fighting for XP, Money, and Boarders/Planetary Control. If thats all the books cared about we wouldn't have much of a book. You can rap as much story and lore arround a mission as you want but if you dont see your actions effecting the world you're fighting in, we're going to get bored real quick.
If its just about XP, Money, and Boarders, I might as well play Hawken and pretend I'm in a Uziel. I just hope Wechwarrior Online will understand what all the books are fighting for and implement its lore in visable and tangeble way in game.

[NikkoKilla]

JoeVolcano, on 12 March 2012 - 07:48 PM, said:

From the FAQ I've gathered Mechwarrior Online is about Fighting for XP, Money, and Boarders/Planetary Control. If thats all the books cared about we wouldn't have much of a book. You can rap as much story and lore arround a mission as you want but if you dont see your actions effecting the world you're fighting in, we're going to get bored real quick.
If its just about XP, Money, and Boarders, I might as well play Hawken and pretend I'm in a Uziel. I just hope Wechwarrior Online will understand what all the books are fighting for and implement its lore in visable and tangeble way in game.

so far it seems like the devs and community are doing some really neat things to continue a timeline thats consistent with the BT universe. Read some of the FAQs and info under the GAME tab. Theyre going to control a lot of plot development via equipment rollouts and contract availability, things like that. One day in the game is one day in the timeline, with the clan invasion being around 1 year away. I think thats a fairly plot dense pretense for an online community based game =P

[HeroicTofu]

I've just recently started getting into the BattleTech books and I'm currently reading the first book of the Blood of Kerensky Trilogy. I LOVE IT! *epic anime googly eye face*

[AkwardArcher]

WhenKatzComes, on 05 March 2012 - 06:30 AM, said:

So I'll admit.. while I have been a drooling MW fan since I figured out how to use my Dad's first DOS computer as a wee one.. and still run DOS box (which now perplexes my dad..) to enjoy the same content I did when I was younger, I've never read any books from the Battletech universe. The forums, dev speak, and atmosphere here are swampy with content that I can piece together based on my experience with the franchise.. but I'd love to sink my teeth into a couple (... all?) of the books that came ouf of the battletech universe.

What better place to ask for recommendations?

So .. can I get some ideas? Books based on quality AND the order in which they aught to be read =]

Cheers
~Katz

My friend swears by all the Michael Stackpole books. Check them out. They are pretty awesome.

[Thorn Hallis]

I'd start with the Battletech Master Rules, so you know what this is all based on.