Books a space marine would read?

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**Righteousrob**

So i was wondering what books a space marine may read when a full asartes? are there any mention of books SM may read in the fluff? Like an Astra Guard would be required to carry his IG book at all times, what would an asartes readd or recite in battle i could reference to?

**Veteran Sergeant**

Codex Astartes. Chapters 1-4,000

**Righteousrob**

thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"

**EmpNortonII**

I imagine more than a few secretly read romance novels trying to figure out what they're missing.

**Quanar**

Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"

The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

**EmpNortonII**

Quanar wrote:
Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"
The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

... it's probably not the best book to read if you're fighting Alpha Legion.

**Deadshot**

EmpNortonII wrote:
Quanar wrote:
Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"
The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

... it's probably not the best book to read if you're fighting Alpha Legion.

Actually it would be. Guilliman is not in any way naive or stupid when it comes to strategy and I would bet my left kidney the Codex Asartes contains a chapter on fighting unconventional enemies like the Alpha Legion. Remember that Guilliman beat the Alpha Legion because he avoided his usual tactics and went straight in for Alpharius' throat.

**Furyou Miko**

It will depend on the chapter. Black Templars will have copies of the Ministorum Libra Martyr or the Road to Gathalamor, Mantis Warriors may well carry a book of sins, Salamanders probably carry copies of the Uplifting Primer so they can know how best to rescue the poor guardsmen...

Of course, the debates between the Blood Angels and the Space Wolves over whether Laurell K. Hamilton is better than Stephany Meyer are legendary.

**King Pariah**

Deadshot wrote:
EmpNortonII wrote:
Quanar wrote:
Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"
The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

... it's probably not the best book to read if you're fighting Alpha Legion.

Actually it would be. Guilliman is not in any way naive or stupid when it comes to strategy and I would bet my left kidney the Codex Asartes contains a chapter on fighting unconventional enemies like the Alpha Legion. Remember that Guilliman beat the Alpha Legion because he avoided his usual tactics and went straight in for Alpharius' throat.

He may have beat Alpharius but Alpha Legion still functioned perfectly well without the supposed Alpharius/Omegon/whoever was in that suit of armor, and beat back the Ultramarines, that was a defeat for the Ultramarines at worst, a draw at best. Not to mention slaughtered the retinue Guilliman brought with him to kill Alpharius.

**Veteran Sergeant**

King Pariah wrote:
Deadshot wrote:
EmpNortonII wrote:
Quanar wrote:
Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"
The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

... it's probably not the best book to read if you're fighting Alpha Legion.

Actually it would be. Guilliman is not in any way naive or stupid when it comes to strategy and I would bet my left kidney the Codex Asartes contains a chapter on fighting unconventional enemies like the Alpha Legion. Remember that Guilliman beat the Alpha Legion because he avoided his usual tactics and went straight in for Alpharius' throat.

He may have beat Alpharius but Alpha Legion still functioned perfectly well without the supposed Alpharius/Omegon/whoever was in that suit of armor, and beat back the Ultramarines, that was a defeat for the Ultramarines at worst, a draw at best. Not to mention slaughtered the retinue Guilliman brought with him to kill Alpharius.

It was also a terrible story that made little sense written by a middling-at-best author.

There are two versions of the Codex Astartes in 40K lore. The one goobers like Graham McNeill writes about where it has ridiculous restrictions like "Don't improvise the usage of explosives" or "Scouts should always try to kill the enemy, even if it would compromise their scouting". And then there's the original (and persistent) fluff about it being the greatest tome on warfare ever created. Which means there's very little the Alpha Legion could do to subvert it, other than just having a superior commander on the field.

**jhe90**

Theres also chapter history, famous hero,s, accounts, battles and campaigns. Legends of founding primarchs or great leaders.

They could learn from it to in ways.

**EmpNortonII**

King Pariah wrote:
Deadshot wrote:
EmpNortonII wrote:
Quanar wrote:
Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"
The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

... it's probably not the best book to read if you're fighting Alpha Legion.

Actually it would be. Guilliman is not in any way naive or stupid when it comes to strategy and I would bet my left kidney the Codex Asartes contains a chapter on fighting unconventional enemies like the Alpha Legion. Remember that Guilliman beat the Alpha Legion because he avoided his usual tactics and went straight in for Alpharius' throat.

He may have beat Alpharius but Alpha Legion still functioned perfectly well without the supposed Alpharius/Omegon/whoever was in that suit of armor, and beat back the Ultramarines, that was a defeat for the Ultramarines at worst, a draw at best. Not to mention slaughtered the retinue Guilliman brought with him to kill Alpharius.

,,, and since the point was for the tiny Alpha Marines to lead the massive Ultramarines on a goose-chase to keep them from intervening on Terra, it is without a doubt a fantastic win for the Alpha Legion.

**Righteousrob**

Soooo if my sargent was leading his mean into battle he would shout the codex to them to inspire them or shout the codex words to the heathen orks? doesnt seem likely? what about imperial fists they would read.

**ChazSexington**

Deadshot wrote:
EmpNortonII wrote:
Quanar wrote:
Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"
The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

... it's probably not the best book to read if you're fighting Alpha Legion.

Actually it would be. Guilliman is not in any way naive or stupid when it comes to strategy and I would bet my left kidney the Codex Asartes contains a chapter on fighting unconventional enemies like the Alpha Legion. Remember that Guilliman beat the Alpha Legion because he avoided his usual tactics and went straight in for Alpharius' throat.

Afaik, Guilliman threw it out the window because the Alpha Legion used it as a guide as to what he would do.

**Carlson793**

Salamanders would carry The Promethean Opus and public domain portions of The Tome of Fire (for inspirational reading), Vulkan's The Nature of War (for tactical doctrine), and Dante's Inferno (when they need a good laugh).

**Pilau Rice**

ChazSexington wrote:
Deadshot wrote:
EmpNortonII wrote:
Quanar wrote:
Righteousrob wrote:
thinking more along the lines of something they can shout at Xenos or their fellow marines. Not "do not have more than 1000 marines or swear on a thursday"
The Codex Astartes is far more than just the organisational rules of SM chapters, it's a complete tactical / strategy guide written by Roboute Guilliman (Primarch of the Ultramarines).

... it's probably not the best book to read if you're fighting Alpha Legion.

Actually it would be. Guilliman is not in any way naive or stupid when it comes to strategy and I would bet my left kidney the Codex Asartes contains a chapter on fighting unconventional enemies like the Alpha Legion. Remember that Guilliman beat the Alpha Legion because he avoided his usual tactics and went straight in for Alpharius' throat.

Afaik, Guilliman threw it out the window because the Alpha Legion used it as a guide as to what he would do.

According to the IA article on the Alphas

Guilliman was a military commander with few peers. However, all the experience, lessons and tactics he had accumulated over the centuries had been carefully documented, compiled and made accessible to the other legions, in the Primarch's desire to improve the Emperor's armies as a whole. Now this gave Alpharius the advantage because he knew how the Ultramarines operated. Indeed, Guilliman's initial deployment followed exactly the doctrines set down in his own writings, and the Alpha Legion moved to trap them. But Guilliman chose the first nightfall to do something unexpected. Breaking his own rules of operation, he led a large portion of his own forces deep into the mountains, deploying by Thunderhawks, Droppods and teleporters into the midst of the Alpha Legion with no lines of support or supply. Guilliman's target was the enemy command centre and none other than Alpharius himself.

I think Guilliman mentions in Rules of Engagement from Age of Darkness that the Codex is only supposed to be a guideline and that it isn't a replacement for actual thinking. Perhaps he ran out of ink at this point and forgot to include it, as this doesn't seem to be a sentiment shared by the Ultras and their successors. An Alpha Legionnaires dream come true.

**CREEEEEEEEED**

Space marines would read black library novels. I can picture it now.

Brother Tarquinii, come look at what this one wrote.
HA HA HA HA HA!
I thought you'd like that one brother, but see here, on page 56 of this book, it says...

ect I think they'd have a field day reading what we think about them basically.

**Psienesis**

Furyou Miko wrote:
It will depend on the chapter. Black Templars will have copies of the Ministorum Libra Martyr or the Road to Gathalamor, Mantis Warriors may well carry a book of sins, Salamanders probably carry copies of the Uplifting Primer so they can know how best to rescue the poor guardsmen...

Of course, the debates between the Blood Angels and the Space Wolves over whether Laurell K. Hamilton is better than Stephany Meyer are legendary.

Everyone knows that Space Wolves can't read.

**Furyou Miko**

Psienesis wrote:
Furyou Miko wrote:
It will depend on the chapter. Black Templars will have copies of the Ministorum Libra Martyr or the Road to Gathalamor, Mantis Warriors may well carry a book of sins, Salamanders probably carry copies of the Uplifting Primer so they can know how best to rescue the poor guardsmen...

Of course, the debates between the Blood Angels and the Space Wolves over whether Laurell K. Hamilton is better than Stephany Meyer are legendary.

Everyone knows that Space Wolves can't read.

Applying cold water to burns...

**jhe90**

Furyou Miko wrote:
Psienesis wrote:
Furyou Miko wrote:
It will depend on the chapter. Black Templars will have copies of the Ministorum Libra Martyr or the Road to Gathalamor, Mantis Warriors may well carry a book of sins, Salamanders probably carry copies of the Uplifting Primer so they can know how best to rescue the poor guardsmen...

Of course, the debates between the Blood Angels and the Space Wolves over whether Laurell K. Hamilton is better than Stephany Meyer are legendary.

Everyone knows that Space Wolves can't read.

Applying cold water to burns...

The last one to make the joke near a space wolf now has a severe case of frost axe damage to the head, 2 bolter rounds and evidence is being collected up by mop and broom.

So far 5 space wolves have claimed the kill.
Inquisition decided to leave the planet about a day prior to arival, somthing about fear of frost axes, heads and desire to live.

**Psienesis**

.... so you're saying, jhe90, that Space Wolves are a bunch of girly-men who sit around, reading books, writing books, doing bookish things when they could instead be sitting around the fire, drinking mead, chewing bear-fat, and telling the tales of yore in the oral tradition, the way Russ intended?

**hotsauceman1**

Everybody purges
My little Attack Bike
Bearnstein Orks.
And Danielle steele novels

**BlaxicanX**

Is it too late to make a joke about Sisters of Battle pin-up magazines?

**welshhoppo**

My first bolter and me.

**jhe90**

Psienesis wrote:
.... so you're saying, jhe90, that Space Wolves are a bunch of girly-men who sit around, reading books, writing books, doing bookish things when they could instead be sitting around the fire, drinking mead, chewing bear-fat, and telling the tales of yore in the oral tradition, the way Russ intended?

No just the last one to claim they could not read as a insault met a untimely end.
5 drunk space wwolves claimed to have fired the shots, one claims a beheading.

Why would there be anything less than roast meat, ale and the head of the insulter paraded down the hall to drinker cheers, and several drinking, eating contests and impromptu hall fights over who has the better beard and wolf pelt.

**Spetulhu**

Righteousrob wrote:
Soooo if my sargent was leading his mean into battle he would shout the codex to them to inspire them or shout the codex words to the heathen orks? doesnt seem likely?

He's more likely to be shouting inspirational quotes from the Chapter Litanies or plain old orders. A marine is made to follow orders after all, it will keep him nicely focused on the mission.

As for what a marine would read I guess anything that makes him a better marine. The Codex. Chapter Litanies and rolls of heroes. Maintenance manuals for his equipment. Imperial Guns and Ammo - "The Bolter still the best gun for a marine".

**Furyou Miko**

BlaxicanX wrote:
Is it too late to make a joke about Sisters of Battle pin-up magazines?

Yes.

**KingDeath**

Our friend Promethium for the Salamanders and, for the Blood Angels, most certainly the Twilight books (just look at how much their Sanguinary Guard sparkle).

**Ashiraya**

Righteousrob wrote:
Soooo if my sargent was leading his mean into battle he would shout the codex to them to inspire them or shout the codex words to the heathen orks? doesnt seem likely? what about imperial fists they would read.

Typical Ultramarines battlecry:

'PAGE 63875, PARAGRAPH FIFTEEN: IF APPROACHED BY CLOSE-COMBAT SPECIALISED ORKS ON OPEN GROUND, CONSIDER WHITTLING DOWN THEIR NUMBERS WITH BOLTER FIRE AND WHIRLWIND MISSILES, AND CONTINUE BY PULLING THEM INTO DIFFICULT TERRAIN AND THEN CHARGING INTO CLOSE COMBAT. BE AWARE OF THEIR NUMBERS, DO NOT CHARGE UNTIL ANY POWER WEAPON-WIELDERS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. TARGET THE LARGEST ORK FIRST, THEN MOVE ON TO HIS SUBORDINATES.'

Double points if they use this battlecry while fighting Tau.

**Psienesis**

"Larceny for Dummies" for the Blood Ravens.