Laumer, Keith. Retief’s War. 1965. Retief No. 3. Baen, 1985.
Retief’s War is perhaps the defining example of the series. It has some loveable, lunkish aliens for Retief to civilize, a spaceship full of beautiful girls, some incompetently villainous Groaci, and a gaggle of buffoonish Terran diplomats. Retief gets to wield a sword. What more could you want? 4 stars because it takes me back to my youth. ( )

Originally published in IF magazine this was the first Retief novel, and it seemed to be good fun. the planet is filled with violent and wll armed natives. Jaime retief is sent to install a Terra friendly government, and with the aid of venal and cowardly allies, he brings the task about. ( )

Instead of a short story collection, Retief gets his first full length novel. I have no idea how Laumer kept everything straight for this - I didn't, but that's because I chose not to create a scorecard. The jargon, the players...jeez! I'm not normally a short story guy...I liked Asimov's collection (now there's a Nostalgic Reread I should go find...The Early Asimov)...but I rather think I prefer Retief in bite sized portions. More reading will tell.

Oh...the Retief quote (actually from another character):

"of just what would possess an Embassy Officer to attack members of the Planetary Police in the performance of their duties!" Purplish color was creeping up from under Longspoon's stiff midmorning informal collar.

Retief shook his head sympathetically. "No, I certainly couldn't explain a thing like that."

Longspoon's lower jaw dropped. "Surely you have some, ah., justification to offer?" He shot a quick side glance at the Voion.

"It would be pretty hard to justify attacking a policeman," Retief offered., "In the performance of his duties at that."

"Look here . . .!" Longspoon leaned toward Retief. "You're supposed to be a diplomat!" he hissed from the corner of his mouth. "You might at least try lying a little!"

Yep...Laumer lampooning his former profession again... ( )

Best Sci-Fi Ever Written!

By far the greatest sci-fi series ever written. Follow James Retief and Ben Magnun on thier action packed, tounge-in-cheek adventures across the galaxy.

The Retief series started out as a series of short stories published the various science fiction pulps during the 1950's through to the 1960's. These are classic sci-fi as it was written before the days of the moon landing. All together there were more than 60 stories about Retief's space adventures.

After the death of Keith Laumer, editors began to compile collections of these classic pulp fiction stories into a book series. Each collection contains 3 to 5 or more stories.

Of the series Retief and the Warlords is my fave!

If you like Douglas Adams' Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy than you're sure to love Retief. ( )