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Use of Weapons
Iain M. Banks

In-depth character study with non-stop adventure in the vast environment of the "Culture", (a "land where they had to kings, no laws, no money and no property, but where everybody lived like a prince, was very well-behaved and lacked for nothing. And these people lived in peace, but they were bored").

So they meddle in far distant galaxies in an effort to evolve civilization. They hire mercenaries to accomplish their goals who are "scarred and seared and broken and healed and broken and healed and repaired and made good again."

Creative imagery packed into most pages: "carbon fascists" who don't recognize machine sentience fully, humans as "the galaxy's way of trying to get rid of all that alcohol", "He felt as though some awesome galaxy-quaking machinery, always hidden under the surface of the universe, had somehow connected itself to him, and dusted him with its power."

Interesting philosophical speculations add depth to the action:

"What is all your studying worth, all your learning, all your knowledge, if it doesn't lead to wisdom? And what's wisdom but knowing what is right, and what is the right thing to do?"

"I strongly suspect the things people believe in are usually just what they instinctively feel is right; the excuses, the justifications, the things you're supposed to argue about, come later."

"In all human societies...there has seldom if ever been a shortage of eager young males prepared to kill and die to preserve the security, comfort and prejudices of their elders, and what you call heroism is just an expression of this simple fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots."

Lots of fascinating excitement but also lots to think about - a rare combination and a great book.

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