The Founding: A Gaunt's Ghosts Omnibus

Maybe the greatest of the guard booksnever written. Riveting and masterful in making you care about the ghosts and their unique leader.

I picked this book up on a whim and boy was I happy that I did. I heard about the character, Commissar Gaunt, from a YouTube video I watched about Warhammer 40k and he was mentioned briefly. I looked into him and found that there was a book series written by Dan Abnett. Mr. Abnett can write a fantastic Warhammer 40k novel and this was no exception. Basically the stories, three in this collection, tell of the character Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his unit: the Tanith First and Only. They become attached to the Sabbat Worlds Crusade under Warmaster Slaydo and it becomes a great tale of heroism, loss, death, comradery and more. The third book has parts of the story written like it was taken out of an After Action Report on specific battles and tactics used to win a war. I found those particular parts to be descriptive and well done (Former Army Grunt). The characters, beside the main one, are well fleshed out and you find yourself rooting for them and what they go through. The Tanith are tasked with scouting and forward observance of the enemy and they seem to get themselves put into the very worst battles and situations, losing men along the way. Then as they go through their time in the theater of war, they pick up friends and allies in other units and civilians along the way. Jealousy is also felt by the other unit commanders and they go out of their way to humiliate and degrade the Tanith scouts and their commanding officer. Through sheer tenacity, and a bit of luck, Gaunt and his Ghosts make this series of books a definite read for anyone that loves to look at the page and read about regular humans and the battles they fight and the lives they lead. Tanith First!

Fast paced, well thought out, exactly what you want from a military sci-fi novel! I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

The book arrived quickly and in great condition. This is a fantastic collection of stories from one of my favorite series.

Solid Omnibus, fun stories, while it's not a groundbreaking and revolutionary book, it's entertaining and tells a proper story unlike 75% of the 40k slop I've purchased.

Fantastic finale for the trilogy A perfect way to see the world of warhammer from a standard imperial guards view!

My second warhammer book but wow. Amazing series and characters. Not just good warhammer but good sci fi period. I read somewhere somebody said it was warhammer band of brothers and after reading it, I’d say that was spot on.

Great read, inspiring, haunting, breath taking all in one. Great intro to 40k, I highly recommend it. It really gives you the perspective about what the Crusades are from the infantry stand point.

Sure, there are things that might be questionable in the 40k universe with our modern lens (no drones) but it is the 40k universe and the author has to stick to canon. He does a great job and it is quite a page turner. Overall, the human point of view (imperial guard) makes things more relatable and the action is very visceral, reminding me of some of the actions we’ve seen taking place in Europe in 2022-23.

Yes, the cover isn't the best quality but does the job. Great book to start in the 40k universe.

Purchases as a birthday gift for a family member and new Warhammer 40K fan. He enjoyed the novel. It arrived in pristine condition, no knicks or damage to the cover or pages.

A brilliant omnibus of Gaunt's Ghosts. Three main novels and connected shorts. Dan Abnett's writing is so compelling and his action scenes intense but still clear. There are a few tropes, a little over-done compassion or sentimentality in places, but not so heavy or overdone that they detract from the whole. They set a feeling rather than trying to bully the senses, try to imply rather than dominate. I feel the first book First And Only is essential and a great beginning to the series and for Black Library's 40K novels. Ghostmaker, feels a little disjointed in places, but is supposed to strengthen the characters and the Ghosts as a fighting force. Necropolis is the best novel, exercising a beginning to end battle for survival of a world and the part played by The Ghosts and Ibram Gaunt, their leader. The final short story is brilliant and is like a coffee liqueur after a full meal with friends and family. It settles the stomach and makes you feel warm and good Inside. I can not recommend this omnibus enough if you like a great read with action, military sci-fi, or 40K, and especially if you are a fan of Imperial Guard.

It's a long read, but it's good if you are into the W40K universe. I was about to suggest to use it as a door stopper once you are done with the book due to how thick it is, but I feel the inquisitors gonna come knocking my door if I do something like that.