Preview
  • Paying the Piper

  • Hammer's Slammers Series
  • By: David Drake
  • Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
  • Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (338 ratings)

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Paying the Piper

By: David Drake
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
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Publisher's summary

Colonel Alois Hammer: to the galaxy, a legendary commander of mercenaries. To his troops, a leader who can be trusted to always back them to the hilt - and meet a payroll. When the situation on a planet has gone beyond desperate, it's time to call for Hammer's Slammers.

©2002 David Drake (P)2011 Audible, Inc.
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Critic reviews

"The weaponry, the action scenes, and the depiction of the Warrior Walking Alone are as vivid and compelling as Drake's readers expect them to be, and his realization of characters and political intrigue continue to mature." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about Paying the Piper

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

one of drakes best.

great story . great performance. good main character. interesting side characters. I enjoyed it.

hammers slammers rules

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the Slammers' Best Adventures

Not many Slammers stories take you from the start of a contract all the way to the end, but it's a ride worth taking. Drake is a master of taking history and molding it into a far future conflict, giving the campaign and the politics surrounding it a solid base that grounds his high tech mercenaries' exploits.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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interesting start

l have enjoyed listening to the first book of this series. looking forward to listening to the next book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Via!

another great slam of the hammer by david drake. pay for paying the piper cheapskate.

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always good

David drake is a wonderful writer, his books are packed with action an details!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Mercenary machinations

Paying the Piper is another installment in David Drake's Hammer's Slammers series. The Slammers are a futuristic mercenary unit. This time out, the Slammers are on a planet that supplies a key anti-aging drug for the rest of humanity. The Slammers seem hopelessly outnumbered. The tale follows a lowly lieutenant who seems particularly unlucky while also having a commanding officer who is difficult to work with. Ambushes, corruption, and planetary political peregrinations ensue with the lieutenant always putting himself in harm's way, but always just squeaking by.

Drake includes his standard tank battles with super high tech weaponry. At the same time, there's a good sampling of support units in addition to the usual combat fare. Politics play a big role with Hammer himself appearing more than usual.

The narration is excellent with good character distinction and smooth pacing.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best hard sci fi

Loved the story and the narration. A classic hard sci fi that is a must listen fire any sci fi fan

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Great Book!!!

The battle details are so clear…makes me want the hit the dirt. David Drakes books also show the madness and fear of war.

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    4 out of 5 stars

One of the top Hammer's Slammers Sci-Fi war book.

This book of the Hammer's Slammers series stands out as one of the best in series. I really enjoyed the overall world campaign that bundled up a chronological 'mini' stories and events that one BAMF protagonist partakes. Lt. Arnie Huber gets shifted around different divisions of Hammers' Slammers and gives a general introduction of how the Regiment works, and why 'IT'S THE BEST'! Even thought the Slammers are renowned, tough times take tough decisions, and Cnl. Hammer is the man to make them.

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Probably the best in the series

This one is probably the best one in the series so far. Following a single main character slides one to associate with both the story and the character better.

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