Ice, Iron and Gold

New York Times bestselling author S. M. Stirling's first collection gathers his most interesting and evocative short stories, drawn from the length of his professional career. More than 100,000 words of fiction, including an original story, make this book a must for fans of Stirling's work. Whether Stirling is exploring alternate histories, chronicling military SF exploits, or depicting off-kilter contemporary settings, his insightful characterizations and compelling plots are distinct and memorable.

Egyptian chariots carry shotgunners and haul heavy cannon into battle, Roman centurions fight at the whims of bug-eyed monsters, vigilant National Guardsmen hold the line against cannibalistic illegal aliens, and American soldiers wander savage lands, leading a massive AI-controlled BOLO tank, as they struggle to return home to a United States that no longer exists.

Through themes of duty, honor, and fortitude under fire, S. M. Stirling presents thirteen stories of military men and women pushed to the point where myth and technology collide. Showcasing Stirling's trademark military action, jargon-heavy dialogue, and conflict-driven storytelling, these thrilling tales of alternate histories, apocalyptic futures, and hard-driving military Science Fiction demonstrate why Stirling has long been a fan favorite.

Cover Art by Vincent Chong
Jacket design by Claudia Noble
Interior layout and design by Jeremy Lassen

Hardcover
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

First printing, November 2008

Distributed by Night Shade Books
1423 33rd Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN-13: 978-1-59780-114-0
ISBN-10: 1-59780-114-0

Copyright© 2007 by S. M. Stirling

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

Night Shade Books
1423 33rd Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122
http://www.nightshadebooks.com

Electronic version by WebWrights
http://www.webscription.net

"Riding Shotgun to Armageddon" ©1998 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Armageddon.

"Three Walls-32nd Campaign" ©2001 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Foreign Legions.

"Cops and Robbers" ©1986 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Far Frontiers Vol. IV.

"Roachstompers" ©1989 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in New Destinies Vol. VIII.

"Constant Never" ©1994 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Dragon's Eye.

"Taking Freedom" ©1999 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Flights of Fantasy.

"Lost Legion" ©1993 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Bolos: Honor of the Regiment.

"Ancestral Voices" ©1994 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Bolos 2: The Unconquerable.

"The Sixth Sun" ©1997 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Bolos 4: Last Stand.

"The Apotheosis of Martin Padway" ©2005 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in The Enchanter Completed.

"Compadres" (with Richard Foss) ©2002 by S. M. Stirling and Richard Foss. Originally appeared in Alternate Generals II.

"The Charge of Lee's Brigade" ©1998 by S. M. Stirling. Originally appeared in Alternate Generals.

"Something for Yew" ©2007 by S. M. Stirling. This story is original to this collection.

"The Mage, the Maiden, and the Hag" (with Jan Stirling) ©1996 by S. M. Stirling and Jan Stirling. Originally appeared in Lammas Night. Only available in the limited edition of this collection.

Other Books by S. M. Stirling:

The Emberverse

Dies the Fire
The Protector's War
A Meeting at Corvallis
The Sunrise Lands
Island in the Sea of Time
Island in the Sea of Time
Against the Tide of Years
On the Oceans of Eternity
The Lords of Creation
The Sky People
In the Courts of the Crimson Kings

The Draka

Marching Through Georgia
Under the Yoke
The Stone Dogs
The Domination (Omnibus of Vols. 1-3)
Drakon

The General (With David Drake)

The Forge
The Hammer
The Warlord (Omnibus of Vols. 1 & 2)
The Anvil
The Steel
The Sword
The Conqueror (Omnibus of vols. 3-5)
The Chosen
The Reformer

The Peshawar Lancers

Conquistador