The funniest book cover ever: Bolos Book 6: Cold Steel

[Lord Evermore]

I'm an absolute lover of the book series originated by Keith Laumer, based on his tanks with AI, bolos.

Anyway, Book 6 came out and I just bought it. Picked it up and noticed something odd.

http://lookinside-images.amazon.com/Qffs+v35leqDT3Qo/RC5EyGlX0owJkcxuwxRkr7nmSgjr1Wk12VZotMiXgmLNTRNllYunWAEeL0=

In that picture, a man is facing a bolo. He's holding a gun pointed toward the ground, underneath which is the face of a presumably dead man. I noticed first that they were all wearing desert garb and turbans. Then I looked closer at the face with the gun pointing at it.

Unfortunately that scan isn't as clear as could be, so some of the detail is lost, but does the face look familiar?

The resemblance is much much more obvious on the actual book cover than is visible in that scan. Too close for me to consider a coincidence.

 

[MichaelD]

I wish I could, but I can't see a damn thing. Crappy pic.

 

[melly]

:Q obl!

 

[deftron]

jesus ?

 

[beer]

OBL?

 

[Lord Evermore]

The currently probably most recognizable skinny bearded man in a turban.

 

[ElFenix]

is that a mech?

 

[Looney]

Osama?

 

[Rob9874]

Why is that funny?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Here's a better scan (you wouldn't believe the hassle it took to make a Umax scanner use the Umax drivers instead of WindowsXP's generic ones).

http://www.issevermore.us/images/obl.jpg

No that's not a mech, it's a bolo. Modern tanks evolved to become ever more powerful (Hellbore cannons shooting what amounted to a small pellet of hydrogen undergoing fusion; multiple stories in height and tracks that could straddle major highways) and carried better and better computers, until they eventually were given full-fledged AIs, starting out with an AI that only acted based on what the commander ordered, and eventually they were made totally autonomous, with personalities that were at the level of human but existing solely for action in protecting their creators. True one-track minds.

Correction: they didn't exist to protect their creators. Their sole focus was defeating The Enemy. Who The Enemy was was determined by a bolo's commander, or inferred by the bolo based on previous experience with the commander when unavailable. The commander is whoever's voiceprint was programmed into a bolo's memory.

Why's it funny? How can it not be funny that someone drew that particular face into a pile of dead desert people with a gun pointing at it?

 

[OulOat]

Lol It's our good friend Osama, no wonder he doesn't come around anymore

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
I'm an absolute lover of the book series originated by Keith Laumer, based on his tanks with AI, bolos.

Anyway, Book 6 came out and I just bought it. Picked it up and noticed something odd.

http://lookinside-images.amazon.com/Qffs+v35leqDT3Qo/RC5EyGlX0owJkcxuwxRkr7nmSgjr1Wk12VZotMiXgmLNTRNllYunWAEeL0=

In that picture, a man is facing a bolo. He's holding a gun pointed toward the ground, underneath which is the face of a presumably dead man. I noticed first that they were all wearing desert garb and turbans. Then I looked closer at the face with the gun pointing at it.

Unfortunately that scan isn't as clear as could be, so some of the detail is lost, but does the face look familiar?

The resemblance is much much more obvious on the actual book cover than is visible in that scan. Too close for me to consider a coincidence.

I am missing book4.

I have an original printing of Laumer's first Bolo compliation.

You should read Bolo Strike. A most fascinating story.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Here's a better scan (you wouldn't believe the hassle it took to make a Umax scanner use the Umax drivers instead of WindowsXP's generic ones).

http://www.issevermore.us/images/obl.jpg

No that's not a mech, it's a bolo. Modern tanks evolved to become ever more powerful (Hellbore cannons shooting what amounted to a small pellet of hydrogen undergoing fusion; multiple stories in height and tracks that could straddle major highways) and carried better and better computers, until they eventually were given full-fledged AIs, starting out with an AI that only acted based on what the commander ordered, and eventually they were made totally autonomous, with personalities that were at the level of human but existing solely for action in protecting their creators. True one-track minds.

Correction: they didn't exist to protect their creators. Their sole focus was defeating The Enemy. Who The Enemy was was determined by a bolo's commander, or inferred by the bolo based on previous experience with the commander when unavailable. The commander is whoever's voiceprint was programmed into a bolo's memory.

Why's it funny? How can it not be funny that someone drew that particular face into a pile of dead desert people with a gun pointing at it?

Data is also downloaded about the current situation as well as the ability to tap into all forms of communication to get more information. They have a prime directive: protect humans and their allies at all costs, even their own. Following an almost klingon-like honour system, the regiment is held in great honour and is worth fighting for.

The AI computers are extremely complex. With dozens of backup and redundant systems and a personality core that is heavily shielded against radiation and many other weapons, they are the peak of AI developement.

They have a commander that they are bonded to and they become dependant on each other.

Newer models are bristling with advanced weaponry like: 3 HellBores, dozens of mounted Infinite Repeaters, Rail Guns, Plasma cannons, Laser Cannons, Missiles, mortors, various drones for surveillance and decoy purposes, electronic defense shields, DuraChrome Alloy hull that is extremely strong.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Ah, nice to know that there really are other people into bolos. Of course I've seen fan sites, but those aren't "real" people.

I've got all the books, somewhere. I grab them as soon as I see them on a shelf at a bookstore. I prefer short stories to full novels though, probably because short stories focus on the Bolo AI while novels focus on people. I think at one time I may have had one of the first printings of The Compleat Bolo, but through moving several times and simply manhandling things like that, I think I destroyed it and got a new one.

 

[Iron Woode]

I can't find my copy of Cold Steel.

You should read bolo Strike. It is one weird book, but very gripping.

I am missing book 4: Last Stand.

They are among my favourites.

I also have the trilogy: The Future at War. A great series of short stories about future warfare. Very good stories too.

 

[tranceport]

Saved this from falling off the edge of the forums.