Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: What! The End? Review: Say it ain't so Colonel! While it is an excellent ending, the mere idea of this series ending is enough to make any intelligent reader cringe at the thought of one less decent series to look forward too. Quality writers in this genre are few and very far between. This series is one of the few I enjoy rereading and the only one (except Asimov) that I've read more than thrice. I suspect a plot by Jurak! Never trust a Bantag! Mr. Forstchen, do not let the regiment down. In the words of Winston Churchill "Never surrender, never end this series."
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Men of War - Great conclusion to a terrific series Review: This book is a great conclusion to a terrific series. I have enjoyed each of the novels in the Lost Regiment series, and they have been excellent in both conception and execution. Forstchen has masterfully handled key concepts like the importance of technology and economics in warfare while keeping the relationships and emotions of the men of war in the forefront of his stories.While I am sorry to see the series end, it's good to know the author would rather leave the series at a logical conclusion than try to continue it for the money. I would recommend The Gamestar Wars by the same author for those who liked this series.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Long Live the Republic! Review: This is absolutely the best alternate history series that I have ever read- you not only end up caring about the characters, but you want become part of the action. When they say that this series "reads like a bullet" they are not exagerating. Any author that can get me to zip through five or six hundred pages in two or three days is doing something right. There are scenes that you remember for years- compared with many books these days that you can't remember after a few months.... The idea of Union Soldiers transplanted to an alien world and taking an oath to carry on Mr. Lincoln's war until an entire enslaved planet is free still chokes me up. There are scenes like a brigade strength force forced to form a giant square on an open plain and fighting to the last man (while singing the Battle Hymm of the Republic) that you don't forget. Or a Republic airship sweeping down to rescue Hans and his Zulu and Chin comrades from worse than certain death....powerful images. As for the villians,well, the "Moon Feast" is my definition for evil. Oh yes, it is also comforting to think that the real life 35th Maine and 44th New York didn't simply dround like rats, but went on to unite Russians, Romans, Chinese, Vikings, Zulus, etc. under the flag of the Republic.... My only real criticism is that if you have any experience in industry and engineering then the speed at which the Yankees manage to industrialise a pre-industrial society (and go into mass production) will drive you nuts! By the way, this isn't the final book of the series. _Down to the Sea_ brings the Battle of Midway to Keane and the Republic. With any luck Forstchen will bring us even more....
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: boy oh boy what a book Review: well i finally got my book from amazon ,on the 12/23/99 and decided to save this book until the 12/26/99 .well I am finished reading this wounderful book,yes its everything i expected ,there scenes in this book that will make you cry (what i am upset about is That there is more to this story its really not finished yes there is a conculusion to the war ,and i dont want to give anything away but what about the southern half planetand the other hordes also i like comment on the map i would of perferd a map made like jurack has in the book for us readers it would of been better. AND A REQUEST TO MR WILLIAM R FORSTCHEN REALLY WE NEED THIS SERIES TO CONTINUE ITS HAS NOT RUN ITS COURSE YET TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS EMAIL THIS GREAT AUTHOER AT PENQUINPUTNAM.COM TELL HIM SO ,SO THIS SERIES WILL GO ON.
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Nice finish to a great series. Review: Well, Christmas came early this year for me, a new Lost Regiment book complete with maps! Thank you Bill. We open with the struggling Republic on its last legs, strained to the limits by the prolonged Wars against the hordes. The author nicely alludes to the Confederacy in the spring of 1864, worn out and war weary. The Colonel realises that unless the war is won quickly, they will eventually be out produced and swarmed under. So, one last giant effort, a wild risk, an all or nothing gamble to end the war in one stroke is devised and well, thats the story. I won't give away any details but the book is sure to please Lost Regiment fans. The story is full of the great battles, personal sacrafice and heroics and fast pacing that fans are used to. As a huge fan of this series I am sad to see it end but one gets the sense that the author needed a break from the series after eight books, but many allusions are made to possibly continuing the series at some time in the future. I hope so. How about a movie? T.V. series? Enjoy! P.S.-Any recommendations on a series like The Lost Regiment? I've been looking, with no luck.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Great Conclusion Review: What a great and power packed conclusion to a fabulous series. Like the seven books before it, this one rocks with excitement. Hopefully some day the adventure can again be resurrected so we can read of the exploits of the children of the Lost Regiment.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Great book! Fantastic series! Review: What more can I say? The previous reviews pretty much sum up my feelings. This is the best series I have ever read. Great plot. Great characters. Great ending to the series. Some authors drag out a series until you lose interest. Forstchen keeps it tight and entertaining from beginning to end through all 8 books. Every book gets my highest recommendation. Go and get Rally Cry (book 1). You won't be able to stop until you complete Men of War (book 8). To Bill Forstchen: How about starting a new series that picks up a few years from the end of Men of War. An expedition to the Portals in the northern lands has great possibility. So does exploration of the southern lands beyond the Great Sea. I can just picture advanced airship designs that roam the planet!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Good finish, but somewhat quick Review: William Forstchen did a great job finishing out his Lost Regiment series, but I felt that it moved a little to fast. The last battle seemed to be hurried, and it ended very quickly. Also, it didn't seem to resolve anything. The Bantag just rode off into the sunset, and that was that. Other than that, though, he wrote a great book, and finally demonstrated the power of the humans over the horde. Also, his first battle was magnificent. I'd recomend this to anyone who has any sort of interest in military tech or advancement of tactics, or is just looking for a good read. P.S. the map is helpful.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: I'm going all the way. Review: William R. Forstchen's most powerful book since Rally Cry! Pages 120 - 123 sells this story, it is presented to the reader with such strong emotions. The tears well up inside, pain and heartache cover you and you can feel that this final parting of friends. As Colonel Andrew Lawrence Keane whispers 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' I could see the whole scene in my mind's eye, as all of them came together for that last moment. Some smiling, some deep in thought and some knowing full well that this was the last mission for them and others standing with them. One of the most touching and powerful moments of any of his books. I also liked the exchange between Jurak and Zartak; Polaris93 will love that, as he has done so well in his past books, Mr. Forstchen again shows the other side of the coin. The dark side of the mirror. As Zartak remembers his 'pet' as he knew her as one would know his mother, or even more so. As Jurak looks on him as he repeats her prayer and a moment later after he stops crying he says, 'I knew then that they had souls.' Jurak watching and listening to him, trying to understand, and then being told - what if the shoe was on the other foot? What if is were they who hunted and ate us, alive. Oh the shock and 'Primal dread of being consumed, eaten alive...' Jurak felt, that what if factor Mr. Forstchen had Zartak propose to him. How would you feel if? I could see Jurak sitting there in the dark wide eyed with horror with the very thought of being the one with his head opened up and cattle enjoying the taste of his brain. The book takes the reader deep into the emotions of the characters, far deeper than any of the other of the series. Fatigued, desperate, and knowing full well they are all doomed. The human's plan a suicide mission, to strike against a foe that has them outnumbered, out gunned, and now out maneuvered them. Whispering a simple but meaningful oath, 'I'm going all the way.' The attack takes them and the reader to the edge of their strength, their desire to live and even at times their own sanity. Hans desends upon the Horde as an avenging angel to free the Chin slaves and in doing so unleashes a tide wave of revenge and destruction that repulses even his battle hardened soul. The dark horror filled world the Horde enslaved mankind in turns back upon them rises up, and then crashes down upon them. The Horde screams in disbelief and their own horror as they are torn limb from limb by the Chin mob! But, in the end another part of the story takes hold, not a story of war, of death and destruction, but a story of men. The strong and the weak, men of honor, men of pride, men living and dead, the men of war. Men like you and I. The ordinary men who march off to war to fight for the high ideals of freedom, men like your father, brother, uncle, grandfathers, and even your sons. For in the end these are the men who stand up for and fight for our freedom. This series is for all of those men, from 1776 to the present, the ones who came home, and the ones, who like Sergeant Major Hans Schuder died for what they believed in most, their country and all that it stands for.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: I'm going all the way. Review: William R. Forstchen's most powerful book since Rally Cry! Pages 120 - 123 sells this story, it is presented to the reader with such strong emotions. The tears well up inside, pain and heartache cover you and you can feel that this final parting of friends. As Colonel Andrew Lawrence Keane whispers We few, we happy few, we band of brothers... I could see the whole scene in my mind's eye, as all of them came together for that last moment. Some smiling, some deep in thought and some knowing full well that this was the last mission for them and others standing with them. One of the most touching and powerful moments of any of his books. I also liked the exchange between Jurak and Zartak; Polaris93 will love that, as he has done so well in his past books, Mr. Forstchen again shows the other side of the coin. The dark side of the mirror. As Zartak remembers his pet as he knew her as one would know his mother, or even more so. As Jurak looks on him as he repeats her prayer and a moment later after he stops crying he says, I knew then that they had souls. Jurak watching and listening to him, trying to understand, and then being told - what if the shoe was on the other foot? What if is were they who hunted and ate us, alive. Oh the shock and Primal dread of being consumed, eaten alive... Jurak felt, that what if factor Mr. Forstchen had Zartak propose to him. How would you feel if? I could see Jurak sitting there in the dark wide eyed with horror with the very thought of being the one with his head opened up and cattle enjoying the taste of his brain. The book takes the reader deep into the emotions of the characters, far deeper than any of the other of the series. Fatigued, desperate, and knowing full well they are all doomed. The human's plan a suicide mission, to strike against a foe that has them outnumbered, out gunned, and now out maneuvered them. Whispering a simple but meaningful oath, I'm going all the way. The attack takes them and the reader to the edge of their strength, their desire to live and even at times their own sanity. Hans desends upon the Horde as an avenging angel to free the Chin slaves and in doing so unleashes a tide wave of revenge and destruction that repulses even his battle hardened soul. The dark horror filled world the Horde enslaved mankind in turns back upon them rises up, and then crashes down upon them. The Horde screams in disbelief and their own horror as they are torn limb from limb by the Chin mob! But, in the end another part of the story takes hold, not a story of war, of death and destruction, but a story of men. The strong and the weak, men of honor, men of pride, men living and dead, the men of war. Men like you and I. The ordinary men who march off to war to fight for the high ideals of freedom, men like our fathers, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, and even our sons. For in the end these are the men who stand up and fight for our freedom. This series is for all of those men, from 1776 to the present, the ones who came home, and the ones, who like Sergeant Major Hans Schuder died for what they believed in the most, their country and all that it stands for.
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