Can Modern-day War Tactics Work in Space?

    HARRISONBURG, VA, December 12, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Military science fiction books are often criticized for their unrealistic and incorrect war sequences. But in the case of the book series "The Conquests of Brokk," author Thane Keller has made certain the military aspects of his series are realistic. As an active duty soldier with deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Keller's first-hand experiences are evident. In his latest novel, "Doomsayer," as well as with the other books in the series, Keller takes seriously the strategies of war and combat, even though the setting is fictional.

"This series is unique because of the military expertise I bring to Science Fiction," says Keller. "I am a cavalryman with significant experience leading soldiers in combat. For me, one of the biggest disappointments in space opera is how they ignore the effects of weapons in combat. They don't echelon their fires, engage in realistic maneuver, or leverage the assets available. In addition, I use real army doctrine and apply it everywhere — the fundamentals of Offensive Operations, the Principals of Reconnaissance, Thrust and Velocity as factors for space combat, and the effects of fear, guilt, and anger on all of us. Carl von Clausewitz is one of my favorite military theorists. He accurately describes war as 'a human endeavor—a fundamentally human clash of wills often fought among populations.' My book series highlights this and in doing so, I present the reader with a far more interesting look at what space combat could actually be. I also hope it gives the reader a look at true-to-life combat."

Keller says he has read sci-fi/military science books before, and they can become either too predictable or over-the-top, which he avoids in his novels.

"I don't lead the reader to make judgments. Many science fiction stories are black and white—good versus bad—heroes that you can get behind. But that isn't really life. When you uncover the legendary characters of history, you find that they are complicated, immoral, and struggling in ways that we can all identify with. I want the reader rooting for all of the characters at different times because, like life, war is never simple. Brokk spent his whole life believing who and what he was to become. His enemies have grown up with similar, yet opposing narratives. War, for the soldier, is rarely about who is right and who is wrong; it's about survival, friendship, loss, and moving on."

Keller says the series fans are typically young adults, but that all age groups will relate to the characters.

"I am always looking for clean entertainment that is provocative and enjoyable," says Keller. "Unfortunately, I have to close books more times than not because they are either unwholesome or unedifying. I've been deliberate to avoid sexual themes, foul language, and grungy undertones. This is a story that adults can be comfortable letting their teenagers read. My brand of science fiction is something you can share happily with your kids or enjoy casually as military space opera. But I don't want you to stop there — the species in Doomsayer should encourage you to consider the science of genetic diversity, the nuances of spirituality, and the nature of man."

About Thane Keller:

Thane Keller is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute with a degree in psychology and a minor in English. Following college, Thane married his high school sweetheart, Sarah, and started his career as a cavalryman in the United States Army. Over the course of his career, he has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan where he was personally engaged in ground combat. He has earned two Bronze Stars and numerous other awards and decorations. He and his wife have four children. For more information, visit www.ThaneKeller.com.

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