We Only Need the Heads

The Human Division, Episode 3

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 1 hr and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

CDF Lieutenant Harry Wilson has been loaned out to a CDF platoon tasked with secretly removing an unauthorized colony of humans on an alien world. Colonial Ambassador Abumwe has been ordered to participate in final negotiations with an alien race the Union hopes to make allies. Wilson and Abumwe’s missions are fated to cross - and in doing so, place both missions at risk of failure.

We Only Need the Heads is a tale from John Scalzi's The Human Division, a series of self-contained but interrelated short stories set in the Old Man's War universe.

Listen to the complete edition of The Human Division, the fifth full-length book by John Scalzi in the Old Man's War universe.

©2012 John Scalzi (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

still too short

at least this story wasn't as short as the last story. that one was just a prologue. this was a chapter.

See Review for "The B-Team"

See Review for "The B-Team" this is Episode 3 (minimum 15 words in a Review)

Read them in order

I enjoyed the series more as I went through each episode. At first I struggled because it seemed like random stories set in this universe. But as it continued and I realized it was interwoven story lines I enjoyed them more. The main characters were enjoyable. It's pretty traditional sci fi fare but still worth the read.

More of the same ... thankfully!

Great stand alone story that continues the themes set in the human division series. Up to the standard of the great scifi shorts of the 50's and 60s.

B-Team Returns

What made the experience of listening to We Only Need the Heads the most enjoyable?

The Continuing thread.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Harry and Schidmt. Harry is just too smooth and laid back he leaves the worrying to Schmidt

What does William Dufris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings emotion to the scene without being cheesy or camp.

Colonial SNFU

Well done. Continues the saga of the Colonial Union. Moves between the diplomatic and defense efforts and how they affect each other. Ambassador Obumwey and Wilson characters are as compelling as ever. I like the complexity of the storyline. Not the usual jingoistic blather so much scifi engages in. The narration is excellent. Worth a listen.

Nice Installment to the Series

Nice episode, with a nice cliffhanger at the end. We're kind of left with an "uh-oh" moment for our human coalition, as things are looking a bit grim for our team. Looking forward to the next installment!

More action than ep2. Missing... something.

(This follows my review from Eps 1 and 2.) The action in this episode picks up again.

It's refreshing to see that this series ties-in with where Old Man's War left off. BUT, the "episodes" serial format is losing something in the "feel" of the storyline for me. 'Not sure what it is.

Maybe its character development. Or maybe it's expectations about which characters I should invest myself in since I don't know if they're going to be around from one ep to the next.

'Not sure....

What I am sure about is that the ineffable "feel" of why I enjoyed Old Man's War so much seems to be somewhat muted in this "episodes" format.

The "self-contained" short story format is a fine experiment, but the whole thing just feels like an anthology of short stories... which is exactly what it is, I suppose. So, maybe that's what it is...?

Uh-oh! Talk your way out of this one

Yes, it's getting better, and the plot lines are starting to come out. It can't be easy writing an entire book that is made up of short stories that are interrelated, but so far, Scalzi is managing it. I do wish he would find words other than 'said' for his dialogue. Gets irritating! He does this in all his books, so I guess it won't change anytime soon. If these stories are your first introduction to Scalzi, try some of his other books to get a better idea of his writing style. I especially recommend Fuzzy Nation or Agent to the Stars.

Heads have rolled, the plot thickens

Episode 3 steps it up. The CDF is making things more difficult for Ambassador Abumwe. Wildcat colony on a planet the Union is trying to negotiate with is causing trouble all around. Something sinister is going on, just dont know who is behind all this. Episode 4 has been pre-ordered and is anticipated eagerly.