45 replies to this topic

[NikkoKilla]

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

[Sears]

http://www.stargazerserv.com/csv/btech/battletech_novel_list.htm

I had a similar idea, until i looked at how much the first book was on amazon.

[CheeseThief]

*Ninja'd*

My suggestion would be whatever you can find at your local library.

Edited by cheesethief, 05 March 2012 - 06:36 AM.

[Mason Grimm]

Or you can purchase it as an epub for cheap cheap.

[Tryg]

While there are a great many novels to choose from, I would say two must reads are the Warrior Trilogy and Blood of Kerensky Trilogy. But yes, the cost of trying to work through the entire series can be downright staggering. Even buying on an e-reader like kindle, the prices can add up in a hurry.

[NikkoKilla]

Sears, on 05 March 2012 - 06:35 AM, said:

http://www.stargazer..._novel_list.htm


I had a similar idea, until i looked at how much the first book was on amazon.

sweet mother thats intense. ePubs it is then. I can see things adding up for sure.
@Tyrg thanks for the advice I'll check them out

[Smurf O Pax]

thankfully i have all here except 3-4 books and the DarkAge Crap

*** .... 1200 Euro for a new exemplare of Decision at Thunder Rift from Amazon .... omg

[Krubarax]

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)

Edited by GB_Krubarax, 05 March 2012 - 07:02 AM.

[Ghost]

If you're looking to read up on the universe, be aware that it's currently March 5th, 3049. That mercifully restricts the books you need to read to a relatively short list:

There's the Gray Death Legion trilogy, which I consider pretty much required reading for MWO as it covers what it takes to start one of those Merc Corps everyone keeps talking about, as well as the origins of most of the fancy technology you'll be running into:
Decision at Thunder Rift
Mercenary's Star
The Price of Glory

In between Thunder Rift and Mercenary's Star you should read The Sword and The Dagger, which gives you an excellent overview of Inner Sphere politics.

It's also an excellent kick-off point for the dramatic events of the Warrior series, which introduces a lot more of everyday life in the Inner Sphere (including a visit to Earth!)

Warrior: En Garde
Warrior: Riposte
Warrior: Coupé

In between those last two books is Wolves on the Border, which is all about one of the most influential mercenary groups in the entire Inner Sphere -- as well as their employers, the Draconis Combine. There's a comic book that covers what happens prior to the events in the book with the Marik Civil War.

Speaking of the Dracs you come up to a few years before present day by reading Heir to the Dragon, which goes even more in-depth and covers the currently complicated political situation in the Combine with respect to the Kanrei and the Coordinator.

Now if you can't find these books in your local library, you may be able to find them online for cheap as other people have mentioned.

[NikkoKilla]

Ghost, on 05 March 2012 - 07:45 AM, said:

If you're looking to read up on the universe, be aware that it's currently March 5th, 3049. That mercifully restricts the books you need to read to a relatively short list:

So true, thanks for the input, really makes it more manageable

~Katz

[Kodan Black]

Though the book only dealt with the Dragoons, Wolf Pack remains one of my favorites. Too bad this stuff isn't in print. I think there is definitely a market for it.

[AdamBaines]

Ghost, on 05 March 2012 - 07:45 AM, said:

If you're looking to read up on the universe, be aware that it's currently March 5th, 3049. That mercifully restricts the books you need to read to a relatively short list:

There's the Gray Death Legion trilogy, which I consider pretty much required reading for MWO as it covers what it takes to start one of those Merc Corps everyone keeps talking about, as well as the origins of most of the fancy technology you'll be running into:
Decision at Thunder Rift
Mercenary's Star
The Price of Glory

In between Thunder Rift and Mercenary's Star you should read The Sword and The Dagger, which gives you an excellent overview of Inner Sphere politics.

It's also an excellent kick-off point for the dramatic events of the Warrior series, which introduces a lot more of everyday life in the Inner Sphere (including a visit to Earth!)

Warrior: En Garde
Warrior: Riposte
Warrior: Coupé

In between those last two books is Wolves on the Border, which is all about one of the most influential mercenary groups in the entire Inner Sphere -- as well as their employers, the Draconis Combine. There's a comic book that covers what happens prior to the events in the book that covers the Marik Civil War.

Speaking of the Dracs you come up to a few years before present day by reading Heir to the Dragon, which goes even more in-depth and covers the currently complicated political situation in the Combine with respect to the Kanrei and the Coordinator.

Now if you can't find these books in your local library, you may be able to find them online for cheap as other people have mentioned.

Also The Blood of Kerensky Novels would be great as its the start of the clan invasion which will have in the next year or so......

Here is the ePub at amazon for all three books.
http://www.amazon.co...19841031&sr=8-5

[IceSerpent]

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

In general, go for "classic battletech" list, skip the "Dark Age" series. You can get pretty much all of them on eBay for about $3-$5 a piece, except for #1 ("Decision at Thunder Rift") which has been out of print for a long time, is highly collectible, and goes for about $20.

If you like sci-fi, I highly recommend the books not just because it's BT, but because the plotlines are simply awesome.

Edit: the novel list on wiki that Krubarax posted above is IMHO the best out there and the easiest to use.

Edited by IceSerpent, 05 March 2012 - 10:16 AM.

[SMDMadCow]

Or you can go to www.sarna.net and get just about everything you need to know.

[Tsen Shang]

Ghost is dead on the money, start with Gray Death. I know they're kinda expensive on Amazon, but I promise you they're worth the money. Decision at Thunder Rift is STILL my favorite Battletech book, and there have been a lot of great ones since. Also, anything by author Michael Stackpole is a good bet, he's a great read.

[Eidolon]

One more link: http://bg.battletech.com/?page_id=1633
This is mostly what Ghost has already posted, along with additional recommended reading in the form of sourcebooks and BattleCorps fiction.

SMDMadCow, on 05 March 2012 - 11:47 AM, said:

Or you can go to www.sarna.net and get just about everything you need to know.

But there's also plenty of time to immerse yourself in the setting. Who wants to skip straight to inhaling summaries left and right? I hope a few folks choose to read a book

Edited by Eidolon, 05 March 2012 - 12:50 PM.

[Nick Makiaveli]

AdamBaines, on 05 March 2012 - 08:28 AM, said:

Also The Blood of Kerensky Novels would be great as its the start of the clan invasion which will have in the next year or so......

Here is the ePub at amazon for all three books.
http://www.amazon.co...19841031&sr=8-5

When I followed the link it told me it was no longer available. What did they do, run out of digital ink?

Hmm looks like the only Kindle versions they have are the Dark Age books....maybe something is up with the original stuff....

Edited by Nick Makiaveli, 05 March 2012 - 04:28 PM.

[Joe Davion 86]

>.> i have a large collection of quite a few of those books...all on e-pub and mobi and even adobe reader formats...i like books...esp when i can sit at my PC and read them...reading the twilight of the Clans series now...almost done with it(so far the only one i didnt like out of the series was Freebirth.) anyhoo imma go back to reading have fun

[Thunderbird]

Ghost is right.
And once you have read these books, follow up with the blood of kerenski trilogy and the Legend of the Jade Phoenix next year, just in time for the Clan Invasion.

At that point, you will be addicted, and before you know it, you will read your way up to the Twilight of the clans.

But please, for your own sanity, stay away from the unbearably bad "Far Country"...
That is a book worth burning...

T.

Edited by Thunderbird, 05 March 2012 - 04:46 PM.

[Sears]

This is set in 3050.

might tie you over until your books arrive. I've only just found it.

30 seconds in is the best power stance i have ever seen.

Edited by Sears, 05 March 2012 - 04:51 PM.