Bill, the Galactic Hero

Book excerpt: “The funniest science fiction book ever written” is a space military parody about a hapless soldier from a Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductee (Terry Pratchett, New York Times–bestselling author of the Discworld novels). It was the highest honour to defend the Empire against the dreaded Chingers, an enemy race of seven-foot-tall lizards. But Bill, a Technical Fertilizer Operator from a planet of farmers, wasn’t interested in honour—he was only interested in two things: his chosen career, and the shapely curves of Inga-Maria Calyphigia. Then a recruiting robot shanghaied him with knockout drops, and he came to in deep space, aboard the Empire warship Christine Keeler. And from there, things got even worse . . . Praise for Harry Harrison “A perfectly grand storyteller.” —David Brin, Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author of Star Tide Rising “Few commercial writers are more deserving of their popularity than Harrison, a fine writer who occasionally reaches brilliant heights.” —Publishers Weekly