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2006/06/12 18:42:04
Subject: Best 40K intro book.
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Ancient Chaos Terminator
South Pasadena
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I have a couple of friends who are sci fi fans and I would like to introduce them to the 40K setting. I am just not sure what would be the best first book for them to read. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance, Darrian
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2006/06/12 18:53:32
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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Storm of Iron was good for straight up Chaos vs. Imperium carnage. That'd probably be my recommendation, but I haven't read too many of the novels.
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2006/06/12 19:34:34
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Regular Dakkanaut
British Columbia, Canada
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Well although I havent read them, I think that very good books to start people on are the Horus Heresy books.
I think that Execution Hour would also be pretty good for Imperial vs Chaos setting, its about the Blackstone Fortresses and Abaddon.
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Chuck Norris' calender goes from March 31st straight to April 2nd. No one fools Chuck Norris. |
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2006/06/13 04:12:31
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Ancient Chaos Terminator
South Pasadena
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I read Storm of Iron and I read the Horus Heresy books and I think they are great but I worry that they do not give enough basic info to the new reader about the 40K universe.
Darrian
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2006/06/13 07:45:19
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Dominating Dominatrix
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I haven't read one of those books you're talking about (altough Horus rising lies on my table, but George Martin's first) but I liked the first Gaunt Novel "first and only" very much.
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2006/06/13 19:23:11
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
The drinking halls of Fenris or South London as its sometimes called
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i wouuld say a generic book with short stories such as Bringers of death Eye of terror Deathwing Words of Blood Status deadzone into the maelstrom crusible of war to name but a few. they have a mix of space marine, choas marine, IG, eldar etc short stories. Also i would recomend the Graphic novels such as Bloodquest and Flames of damnation as they have pictures so the new guy can see what the things he is reading about look like.
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R.I.P Amy Winehouse
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2006/06/26 09:39:08
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Fresh-Faced New User
London, Canada
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Deathwing or Crucible of War all the way here.
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The spirit song still surrounds me, in refrain, in shadows growing wings. Like an angel with two broken wings, reach the sky again. Like a devil, meant for better things, I will find my place on high. |
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2006/06/29 23:19:32
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Fresh-Faced New User
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Space Marine.
What? Someone had to suggest it, especially considering it's the 40k book by excellence.
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2006/06/30 01:04:57
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Ancient Chaos Terminator
South Pasadena
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I chose Deathwing. I realized that I actually had the book and it is perfect to introduce readers to 40K.
Mission complete.
Darrian
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2006/06/30 10:35:13
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Been Around the Block
Fortress of Angband, Thangorodrim
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Eisenhorn trilogy, the inner workings of the IoM in bite-size morsels Plus daemonhosts rock
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2006/06/30 18:48:31
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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[MOD]
Otiose in a Niche
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Short stories are the way to go, none of the novels even try to capture the scope of the 40k universe. The Draco books some close but Ian Watson's prose is... an aquired taste shall we say.
So I vote Deathwing.
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2006/07/02 02:39:51
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Dakka Veteran
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Warriors of Ultramar.
No really. It's a very focused book with good unity. It stays on target, and still manages to give the reader a look at the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, the space marines (ane the fact that chapters can differ wildly), and a small but sharp taste of the Inquisition.
The only reason I wouldn't pick First and Only is because I feel it's less useful as a primer in the Imperial apparatus and way of war, than Warriors of Ultramar.
Navin
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2006/07/02 15:49:44
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Fresh-Faced New User
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First one I read was the 3rd book in the Soul Drinkers series. Proble not the best unless you know a bit of background on Space Marines though.
My vote would have to be for Warriors of Ultramar though.
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2006/07/03 05:27:52
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Regular Dakkanaut
NJ
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15 Hours, IG vs Orks, and it shows how expendable each trooper/ork actually is.
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2006/07/04 09:35:21
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Lethal Lhamean
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The best book would be dark angel by gav.. Cause you know its a great book and 100% accurate.
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2006/12/16 05:01:11
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stalwart Veteran Guard Sergeant
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Pah. Of course the bulk of the recommendaitons are books about Space Marines.
I agree with the Eisenhorn Trilogy, though. It is a good picture of the 40k Universe, and shows how....broad it is.
I agree with the Gaunt's Ghosts books probably not being a good introduction, since they're very combat-centric. Even though the Ghosts rock. However, I am a large fan of the Ciaphas Cain books, because they're funny, great reads, and don't go too deep into crazy stuff.
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"I went into a hobby-shop to play m'self a game,
The 'ouse Guru 'e up an' sez "The Guard is weak and lame!"
The Chaos gits around the shelves they laughed and snickered in my face,
I outs into the street again an' grabbed my figure-case."
Oh it's "Angels this" an' "Space-wolves that", and "Guardsmen, go away!";
But it's "Thank you for the ordnance" when the Guard begins to play,
O it's "LOOK AT ALL THE ORDNANCE!" when the Guard begins to play.."
-Cadian XXIX (edited for length) |
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2006/12/20 04:56:38
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Regular Dakkanaut
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Let the Galaxy Burn is a good collection as well. I'm particularly fond of The Tower, by C.S. Goto, which is an awesome look at the day to day activities of the Administratum and the Officio Assassinorum. As a collection, it really touches on all the aspects of the 40k universe.
Ezz
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2006/12/21 03:31:17
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Longtime Dakkanaut
Brotherhood of Blood
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Anything by Dan Abnett.
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2006/12/24 22:31:38
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
The drinking halls of Fenris or South London as its sometimes called
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@ zzeran, the reason for most books being about marines is that they are the iconic image of GW, its what most people collect and play.
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R.I.P Amy Winehouse
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2006/12/26 01:39:51
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Rampaging Chaos Russ Driver
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Posted By Blank on 07/03/2006 10:27 AM 15 Hours, IG vs Orks, and it shows how expendable each trooper/ork actually is. I agree. It was the first 40k novel I ever read and loved it. It was a quick read but made me feel bad for having my berzerkers charge IG... just kidding. I love slaughtering IG and this showed me what it was like for those little conscripts and what goes through their heads *before* the chain axe does.
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2006/12/26 08:21:47
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Regular Dakkanaut
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Id go with the first book in the Space Wolf series. Shows the transformation from a feral worlder to a space marine. Then Id go wiht the Gaunt's Ghost books cause there are like what 11 of them now and that is alot of goodness right there
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2006/12/27 12:37:03
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
The drinking halls of Fenris or South London as its sometimes called
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well if you go to the first SW novel you will end up reading the rest before you do anythiing else. you wont really want to raed about some crappy IG after you have read about the emporers finest.
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R.I.P Amy Winehouse
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2006/12/28 05:39:53
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stalwart Veteran Guard Sergeant
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Posted By beef on 12/27/2006 5:37 PM well if you go to the first SW novel you will end up reading the rest before you do anythiing else. you wont really want to raed about some crappy IG after you have read about the emporers finest. Why bother reading about some power-armored freak when you can read about the True Defenders of the Imperium of Man, the Imperial Guard? K, that was flamey. In any case, isn't there a book about an Arbite somewhere? How is that?
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"I went into a hobby-shop to play m'self a game,
The 'ouse Guru 'e up an' sez "The Guard is weak and lame!"
The Chaos gits around the shelves they laughed and snickered in my face,
I outs into the street again an' grabbed my figure-case."
Oh it's "Angels this" an' "Space-wolves that", and "Guardsmen, go away!";
But it's "Thank you for the ordnance" when the Guard begins to play,
O it's "LOOK AT ALL THE ORDNANCE!" when the Guard begins to play.."
-Cadian XXIX (edited for length) |
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2006/12/28 06:47:46
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Regular Dakkanaut
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It was ok, but by far the best IG books are Gaunts Ghosts or Eisenhorn Trilogy, which happen to be written by the same man
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2006/12/29 10:03:53
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stalwart Veteran Guard Sergeant
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Abnett is good. I liked the Horus Heresy book he wrote.
That said, I reiterate my belief that Eisenhorn is better for 40k n00bs than Gaunt's Ghosts, and that the Ciaphus Cain books are also better choices for 40k n00bs than the Ghosts.
Actually, the Ravenor books are pretty good, too.....
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"I went into a hobby-shop to play m'self a game,
The 'ouse Guru 'e up an' sez "The Guard is weak and lame!"
The Chaos gits around the shelves they laughed and snickered in my face,
I outs into the street again an' grabbed my figure-case."
Oh it's "Angels this" an' "Space-wolves that", and "Guardsmen, go away!";
But it's "Thank you for the ordnance" when the Guard begins to play,
O it's "LOOK AT ALL THE ORDNANCE!" when the Guard begins to play.."
-Cadian XXIX (edited for length) |
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2006/12/29 11:12:28
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
The drinking halls of Fenris or South London as its sometimes called
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Abnett is good, just read a bit of Ciaphus Cain and its not bad. But I like my heros to be real tough, rather than lucky
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R.I.P Amy Winehouse
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2006/12/29 18:29:45
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Calm Celestian
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Caves of Ice and the whole Commisar Cain Series. Funniest 40K books on the market and done in a really cool style.
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"Suffering is Faith, Faith is Strength.
Generations have suffered with the same devotion that we can offer but once. Still, our Faith leads us through these dark times like a beacon. It will guide us to triumph over these abominations. Either by breaking them upon us like waves against a limitless, golden peak or by thrusting through them like the spear of the Immortal Emperor Himself." - Cannoness Aoife, Order of the desert rose #Yesallwomen
Just finished my second album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptvBO4vwb-A |
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2006/12/29 18:38:43
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Calm Celestian
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Double post sorry.
Also, Firewarriors alright but for more of an advanced reader because it's not centered on the Imperium - it's pretty much Tau only and makes the Space marines look like chumps.
Kais kills a Raven Libraian with a shot from a pistol then manages to manouver so that two of the Libraian's bodyguard blow the heads off of two more marines by running around them in circles and making them fire on each other. Then - I think - he tricks a Space marine and yanks out the pins on their grenades by diving under them.
Sure it's cool to see a Tau fight back but only if his opponents look compitant - not some noobs wearing power armour.
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"Suffering is Faith, Faith is Strength.
Generations have suffered with the same devotion that we can offer but once. Still, our Faith leads us through these dark times like a beacon. It will guide us to triumph over these abominations. Either by breaking them upon us like waves against a limitless, golden peak or by thrusting through them like the spear of the Immortal Emperor Himself." - Cannoness Aoife, Order of the desert rose #Yesallwomen
Just finished my second album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptvBO4vwb-A |
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2006/12/31 22:25:42
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stern Iron Priest with Thrall Bodyguard
The drinking halls of Fenris or South London as its sometimes called
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how can that be? I know SM are big but I never thought they were dumb and slow. they are supposed to be so much faster than humna/tau. Fluff wise only eldar could be faster and maybe some Nids.
Oh yeah Squats are faster than anybody els they used to have Inititive 10 back in the day lol
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R.I.P Amy Winehouse
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2007/01/02 04:40:22
Subject: RE: Best 40K intro book.
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Stalwart Veteran Guard Sergeant
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Posted By beef on 01/01/2007 3:25 AM how can that be? I know SM are big but I never thought they were dumb and slow. they are supposed to be so much faster than humna/tau. Fluff wise only eldar could be faster and maybe some Nids. Oh yeah Squats are faster than anybody els they used to have Inititive 10 back in the day lol This is why I rarely trust Black Library books when it comes to fluff. Anybody who writes a story has a good guy and a bad guy, and they'll try to make the good guy as cool as possible. Hence, you get books about like 4 Space Marines holding off an ork horde and similar ludicrous tales. Even when it comes to people who do write fluff, such as Abnett or Thorpe, I question them, and only reluctantly accept them as canon.
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"I went into a hobby-shop to play m'self a game,
The 'ouse Guru 'e up an' sez "The Guard is weak and lame!"
The Chaos gits around the shelves they laughed and snickered in my face,
I outs into the street again an' grabbed my figure-case."
Oh it's "Angels this" an' "Space-wolves that", and "Guardsmen, go away!";
But it's "Thank you for the ordnance" when the Guard begins to play,
O it's "LOOK AT ALL THE ORDNANCE!" when the Guard begins to play.."
-Cadian XXIX (edited for length) |
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