It's the grandfather of the Grimdark genre, where Vietnam vets meet flying carpets, the Black Company. Duncan has already enjoyed the entire series, and is understandably nervous after Geordie's round rejection of The Straight Razor Cure that Geordie will lay into this classic as well. He should have no fear. They have an excellent (mostly) spoiler-free discussion of its savage tone, the influence of Cook's military career, and the way the book mingles darkness with comradery.