Books like Foreign Legions

This is a book of short stories in the universe started by Ranks of Bronze. The first story is the short story that eventually became that book. The short story is much better than the book. While it also lacks a lot of explanation, because of its very status as a short story, it can get away with that. The second story in this book is an abbreviated version of The Excalibur Alternative, which is the third book in the series. (Confused yet?) The other stories are original material, although sticking to the main theme of an alien trading guild that's imported primitive humans to wage its wars for it.I particularly liked Eric Flint's contribution to the book, which is the last story, 'Carthago delenda est', which is the tale of another slave race to the trading guilds that decides to throw its lot in with the Romans in its own way and the results thereof. I particularly liked the image of contemporary naval vessels having been refitted for space and serving as Earth's spacefleet. And, in one case, a restored Roman vessel, of which is said, “They could at least stop rowing the damned oars!” Very amusing.A good set of stories, all well-told. Much better than I was expecting after the disappointing start of the series in Ranks of Bronze.