Wow, this would be really hard. There are several authors I'd have to have *something* by, but choosing a single particular book would be rough.
Shakespeare - at least one tragedy, one comedy. Maybe
King Lear and
Twelfth Night.
Gordon Dickson - whatever collection includes the novella 'Things Which are Caesar's'.
Keith Laumer - maybe
The Long Twilight, or
Galactic Odyssey, or
Dinosaur Beach. Or any story collection that contains 'The Last Command'.
Poul Anderson - maybe
Hrolf Kraki's Saga, or
Three Hearts and Three Lions. Or any story collections that include 'No Truce With Kings' and 'Cold Victory'.
Glen Cook - maybe
Sweet Silver Blues or
The Black Company.
David Drake - maybe
Northworld (it's been released as one volume with all 3 novels), or
Redliners.
Fred Saberhagen -
Empire of the East (it's been released as one volume)
Terry Pratchett - probably
Night Watch.
Lois McMaster Bujold - at the very least
Shards of Honor, ideally an omnibus with several others
John Steakley -
Armor.
Neil Stephenson -
Cryptonomicon.
Annnnd, I think I've run over already.
Maybe we're just jaded, but your villainy is not particularly impressive. -Ennesby
If you know what you're doing, you're not learning anything. -Unknown
Sanity is the process by which you continually adjust your beliefs so they are predictively sound. -esr
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