Bill, the Galactic Hero

The Planet of the Robot Slaves

By: Harry Harrison

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

A sequel to the author's Bill, the Galactic Hero, published over 20 years ago, this book is the first of a new series of novels featuring Bill. With two right arms, an artificial foot, and a set of surgically implanted tusks, Bill sets out to find the source of Chinger-controlled metal dragons.

©1989 Byron Preiss Visual Publications, Inc. (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Same Bill 20 years on

Harry Harrison's The Planet of the Robot Slaves is a sequel to the original Bill, the Galactic Hero. Bill is still in the military stationed at some far away base that is suddenly attacked by mechanical dragons. Bill is then attached to the unit's doc who has been tasked with finding the source of dragons which is the planet of robot slaves. Lots of screwball adventures ensue including running into to John Carter (from Mars). He also meets his chinger friend who is trying to initiate peace, but the rest of the military doesn't want to hear about it. Part of the planet has an ongoing sort of civil war between autonomous robots who enslave mechanical creatures.

Harrison continues his antics will Bill serving as the centerpiece in a satirical parody of the military. There's bit of philosophical musings during the exchange with the chinger who provides the backstory of how the war was started that most likely reflects Harrison's political leanings. Overall, the tale is a light-hearted, humorous listen.

The narration is well done with good character distinction and brisk pacing.

much like the original

If you like the original you'll like this one; although his continued assertion that all military members are complete idiots and require an extremely low IQ is overdone and irritating, it forms the basis for his universe. While there are some funny points, I genuinely feel it hasn't aged well. narrator did an excellent job. It did make me chuckle from time to time.

Bill for president

bill is a great read and even more fun to listen to. I have read most of the Bill the Galactic Hero books and getting to listen to them now makes it even more fun

Not the stainless steel rat

I picked this book because I love Harry Harrison's stainless steal rat. It had parts that were fun but I think it tried to be a little too cute. What worked in the stainless steel rat was more raw and uncultivated here. The humor was lowbrow in fact so lowbrow that sometimes it really was funny. With this being the first in the series I am 50/50 on the fence whether I'll continue with the next book.

Great reading of this old favorite

I first read this book decades ago, and really enjoyed it. This reader does a great job, his accents and voices brought the characters to life. I laughed out loud several times.

Fun story but overall of limited entertainment

After reading some of the series previously, I found the readers representation of the characters a little whiney. The story us also a little too silly.

Dad jokes galore

This book will definitely provoke a few good chuckles. The story isn’t deep, but that’s not the point. If it’s on sale, definitely get it!

Not my cup of tea.

I didn't really enjoy the humor in the book, so not for me.
I did think the performance was really good though.

A great book ruined by half hearted narration

I read these books as a teen. They were great fun popcorn Sci fi with surprisingly well written characters. They still are.

Unfortunately the narrator here sounds like he's dialing it in. Bill sounds like generic grunt 354. Other characters are so forgettable that I can't keep track of who's talking, and his pacing might as well be an early 90s dance track as much as it picks a speed and stays there no matter what's going on.

Casual thought, combat, and narration all have the exact same plodding pace.

Mehhhh....

Dated and feels like its for teenage boys. I quit after 4 hours.

Rummel is annoying with his voices.