I enjoyed reading this once I got into it.  The first couple chapters I reread a couple times putting it 'down" but once I took the time to stick it out, I found it fun and couldn't put it down.  Literally.  I stayed up until 5:00 am to finish it.  I don't know if I am totally comfortable with the West Virginia stereotype because I live there and can tell you that very few talk with the lead characters drawl and euphemisms but I did appreciate his intelligence and cunning in handling his superiors.  Of course we all like to see the brass portrayed as they are...usually inexperienced in the real workings of the situation at hand while those inferior in rank have been at it longer than them and know better how to deal with crises anyway.

This book is about the lowly enlisted who are sent ahead to prepare quarters for the higher ups to come and handle alien relations.  Of course the two grunts impress their hosts a whole lot more then the brass in their attitude toward their alien hosts and work ethic.  And as a result the aliens much prefer dealing with them instead of the brass, who take offense at having to defer to their inferiors.

Makes for some interesting and ironic,  sometimes comical outcomes as they spend the next couple years travelling the galaxy...meeting other aliens and establishing trade and other relations with them.  The lead character certainly does get himself into trouble but always comes out smelling like roses!
I enjoyed reading this once I got into it. The first couple chapters I reread a couple times putting it 'down" but once I took the time to stick it out, I found it fun and couldn't put it down. Literally. I stayed up until 5:00 am to finish it. I don't know if I am totally comfortable with the West Virginia stereotype because I live there and can tell you that very few talk with the lead characters drawl and euphemisms but I did appreciate his intelligence and cunning in handling his superiors. Of course we all like to see the brass portrayed as they are... usually inexperienced in the real workings of the situation at hand while those inferior in rank have been at it longer than them and know better how to deal with crises anyway. This book is about the lowly enlisted who are sent ahead to prepare quarters for the higher ups to come and handle alien relations. Of course the two grunts impress their hosts a whole lot more then the brass in their attitude toward their alien hosts and work ethic. And as a result the aliens much prefer dealing with them instead of the brass, who take offense at having to defer to their inferiors. Makes for some interesting and ironic,  sometimes comical outcomes as they spend the next couple years travelling the galaxy... meeting other aliens and establishing trade and other relations with them. The lead character certainly does get himself into trouble but always comes out smelling like roses!