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15 Authors like John Birmingham

If you enjoy reading books by John Birmingham then you might also like the following authors:

  1. Harry Turtledove

    Harry Turtledove writes alternate history that explores well-known historical moments with intriguing twists. He crafts rich, believable scenarios that feel both exciting and thoughtful.

    In The Guns of the South, he imagines the American Civil War changed entirely when Confederate troops receive modern weapons, highlighting how complex and fragile history can be.

  2. S.M. Stirling

    S.M. Stirling is known for imaginative storytelling and stories of survival in drastically changed worlds. His novels often feature detailed world-building and explore human resilience after dramatic events.

    A great example is Dies the Fire, a story about humanity adapting after technology suddenly stops working, creating a world reliant on skill, courage, and cooperation.

  3. Eric Flint

    Eric Flint combines history, science fiction, and a sense of humor in his novels. He often focuses on collaboration and adaptation when ordinary people face extraordinary challenges.

    1632 sends a modern-day American town into 17th-century war-torn Europe, showing how creativity, grit, and modern-day values can reshape history.

  4. David Weber

    David Weber writes military science fiction which features strategic action, political intrigue, and relatable, well-developed characters. His stories reveal the complexities of leadership, honor, and duty.

    The novel On Basilisk Station, from the Honor Harrington series, follows a resourceful starship captain navigating tough conflicts and political uncertainty with bravery and intelligence.

  5. John Ringo

    John Ringo is a writer of fast-paced military action and science fiction thrillers. His stories depict clear-eyed heroes, intense conflicts, and detailed tactical encounters.

    In A Hymn Before Battle, humanity faces alien threats that require courage, quick thinking, and innovative tactics, making for an exciting read for those who appreciate gripping military adventures.

  6. Taylor Anderson

    Taylor Anderson writes exciting alternate-history novels filled with action and historical details. Like John Birmingham, he often blends military history with speculative fiction.

    His Destroyermen: Into the Storm is the first book in a series about a WWII navy crew transported to an alternate world, forced to adapt and survive in unfamiliar territory.

  7. Jack Campbell

    Jack Campbell tells fast-paced military fiction featuring strong leadership, war strategy, and genuine characters. Fans of John Birmingham will appreciate his attention to tactical realism and tense scenarios.

    Campbell's novel Dauntless, the first in the Lost Fleet series, introduces Captain John Geary as he navigates a fleet through hostile territory after spending a century frozen in hypersleep.

  8. Marko Kloos

    If you enjoy John Birmingham's gritty realism and realistic military portrayals, Marko Kloos is worth checking out. Kloos creates believable worlds filled with detailed military tech and vividly described combat scenes.

    In his novel Terms of Enlistment, rookie Andrew Grayson begins his military career hoping to escape poverty, only to find himself caught in dangerous interplanetary conflicts.

  9. Peter F. Hamilton

    Peter F. Hamilton invents vast science fiction universes characterized by intricate plots, futuristic societies, and advanced technology. His stories offer great characters juggling broader military and political struggles, similar to John Birmingham's works.

    Try Hamilton's Pandora's Star, where humanity faces an unexpected and dire alien threat discovered during galactic exploration.

  10. Neal Asher

    Neal Asher writes fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat science fiction packed with wild technology, aliens, artificial intelligence, and plenty of action. His work shares Birmingham's sense of adventure, exploration, and suspense.

    Check out his book Gridlinked, featuring agent Ian Cormac, who tackles deadly missions within an interconnected galactic civilization full of intrigue and danger.

  11. Ian Douglas

    Ian Douglas writes military science fiction packed with space battles, high-tech warfare, and detailed combat strategy. His stories often highlight human courage and military camaraderie against impossible odds.

    A great starting point is Semper Mars, the gripping first novel in his Heritage Trilogy, where Marines battle enemy forces on Mars in a tense fight to secure humanity's future.

  12. Joel Shepherd

    Joel Shepherd's novels blend gripping action with thoughtful explorations of politics, identity, and artificial intelligence. His writing often examines complex moral dilemmas amid thrilling conflicts.

    You might enjoy Crossover, the first book in his Cassandra Kresnov series, which features a fascinating heroine—an advanced combat android navigating loyalty, trust, and humanity.

  13. Robert Buettner

    Robert Buettner specializes in character-driven military sci-fi with an authentic battlefield feel. His stories frequently focus on themes of sacrifice, leadership, and the personal toll of war.

    Check out Orphanage, a gritty, fast-paced novel where Jason Wander, an everyday soldier, steps up to face an alien threat against nearly impossible odds.

  14. Michael Anderle

    Michael Anderle is known for blending science fiction action with humor, engaging characters, and a distinctly fast-paced storytelling style. His books often feature an adventurous spirit and focus on personal growth alongside tense conflicts.

    Start with Death Becomes Her, the first entry in his popular Kurtherian Gambit series, offering a fun mix of vampires, aliens, and secret technology.

  15. Craig Alanson

    Craig Alanson delivers military sci-fi combined with humor, lively dialogue, and relatable characters. His strength lies in mixing fast-paced action scenes, clever wit, and unusual plot twists.

    Try out Columbus Day, the first book in his Expeditionary Force series, where protagonist Joe Bishop finds himself unexpectedly battling invasions—and uncovering surprising allies—in humanity's fight for survival.