Which books end/or Sourcebooks in the "Succession Wars" are worth some attention / time?

[4rni]

Which books end/or Sourcebooks taking place around the time of the "Succession Wars" as the game itself or in your opinion worth recommending?

While waiting for the day of release, I wonder if there is anything worth reading(I know, I know there always is something worth reading :), taking place in the same time period?. Especially something richly anchored in BATTLETECH lore but at the same time worth recommending.
Something like the Horus Heresy books ore to Warhammer 40K.

Thanks

[MattStriker]

Always enjoyed the Gray Death Legion books. Not high literature by any stretch of the imagination but they had a nicely colorful cast of characters and pretty solid action scene writing.

[wendigo211]

The first few novels might be worth a read. I'd say the Saga of the Grey Death Legion, The Sword and the Dagger and Wolves on the Border.

The Warrior trilogy and Heir to the Dragon are a bit more about the 4th Succession War, which starts at the end of the events of this Game.

Otherwise, you could look around Sarna[www.sarna.net] to get an idea about the lore and background. Maybe read about the 5 Houses (Capellan Confederation in particular) and Taurian Concordat.

[MAD-3R_Marauder]

Agree on the Grey Death books (available as e-books), as they are written from the point of view of a small merc unit, just like your unit in this game.

If this wets your appetite, Wolfs on the Border (and Hire to the Dragon) shows the Draconis Combine (the bad guys in the first two Grey Death books) in a somewhat different light.

The Warior trilogy (not available in e-book format) is more a look into the political shenanigans of the Inner Sphere (though there is pleny of mech combat there too) and, as @wendingo211 said, take place in the 4th Succession War, which is some 3 years after this game's timeline.

[JPMcMillen]

With Battletech, you can never go wrong with the Technical Readout books (especially 3025 in this case). The book is written "in universe" with lots of information about each unit, from developement to stories of it's successes and failures in action. Information about variants and even notable pilots. Essentially the books are filled with dozens and dozens of tiny little stories.

[Brooding Phobos]

I would also say that the sourcebook Shattered Sphere which gives a decent outline to the early events in battletech history up to I think the 3060's. You will get some info as to where this game can go dlc or sequel wise in the future.

[Panthros]

I always point people first and foremost to the free Battletech Primer
https://bg.battletech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/BattleTechPrimer_Final.pdf?x64300

I think reading about the Periphery, where the game actually takes place, can help get a lay of the land. Here is also a picture from Hairbrained Schemes that can be a reference when reading the below books.

http://harebrained-schemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/RimwardPeriphery3025.jpg

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/64035/BattleTech-Sourcebook-The-Periphery?filters=10132_0_0_0_0

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/81522/BattleTech-Periphery-1st-Edition?filters=10132_0_0_0_0

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/96307/BattleTech-Handbook-Major-Periphery-States?filters=10132_0_0_0_0

I would also recommend this if you want to reacquaint yourself with the mechs.

http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/217173/BattleTech-Technical-Readout-Succession-Wars?src=hottest_filtered&filters=10132_0_0_0_0

[4rni]

I sincerely thank You for your suggestions.

For now, I decided to start with "BattleTech Legends: Decision at Thunder Rift", at the price of 1.22$ it would be a sin not to read it.

The more lore I read, the more questions I have. It's a good sign but much of the information seems to be repeating itself, I read about the beginning of the league three times already.

I am sure that eventually it will reach the content that explains why the "noble families/houses" simply don't direct their military tendencies and desires for expansion towards the Periphery States. After which they could just unreservedly colonize and develop the hundreds billions of stars around them. But if you have a answer or even the answer, I am eager to find out.

As always thanks

[Harag]

Originally posted by MattStriker:

Always enjoyed the Gray Death Legion books. Not high literature by any stretch of the imagination but they had a nicely colorful cast of characters and pretty solid action scene writing.

100% my favorite Battletech story. The way they handle the helm memory core is almost poetic.

[Harag]

Originally posted by 4rni:

I sincerely thank You for your suggestions.

For now, I decided to start with "BattleTech Legends: Decision at Thunder Rift", at the price of 1.22$ it would be a sin not to read it.

The more lore I read, the more questions I have. It's a good sign but much of the information seems to be repeating itself, I read about the beginning of the league three times already.

I am sure that eventually it will reach the content that explains why the "noble families/houses" simply don't direct their military tendencies and desires for expansion towards the Periphery States. After which they could just unreservedly colonize and develop the hundreds billions of stars around them. But if you have a answer or even the answer, I am eager to find out.

As always thanks

Battletech lore and history is insanely fleshed out. The different writers over the years have added some excellent flavor to the landscape (or universe). Todays villian is tomorrows hero and yesterdays nobody is the next Khan!