King David's Spaceship

Jerry Pournelle was one of the best-known writers of Military Science Fiction of the 1970s. His stories, both solo and with co-authors like Larry Niven and Steven Barnes, almost all deal with he application of technology to the battles waged between people, tribes, and even civilizations. In King David’s Spaceship, it’s perhaps not as decidedly Military as some, but the story of Colonel Nathan "Iron" MacKinnie certainly qualifies. Where Pournelle was an absolute master of the craft was within the area of plotting. There is never a moment when Jerry wasn’t placing copious detail and deep thoughts within the interactions of his characters while not losing the train of the plot to rumination. To power a story like King David’s Spaceship and never lose the thread while still being completely engaged with the larger world he has created is no mean feat. Concepts like the Imperial Traders Association, the examination of how trade in this militarized universe, add depth that you might not find in many other Military Science Fiction novels. Why it’s on the list King David’s Spaceship demonstrates everything you need to make a great work of Military Science Fiction.