Hey Ant, thanks for that.
You pretty much nailed the bits that need attention so I've got something more to go on now - however, did it make you laugh?
I shouldn't worry too much about knowing anything about Laumer's character
Retief - I doubt that many will, he was writing most of this stuff even before we were born.
Anyway, now I know where to look.
Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation - Alasdair Gray