Counting the Cost is a military science fiction novel by David Drake, part of the acclaimed Hammer's Slammers series. Set in a future where mercenary armored regiments wage war across alien worlds, the story follows Colonel Alois Hammer and his regiment as they navigate the brutal realities of interstellar conflict. The novel explores themes of loyalty, leadership, and the moral complexities of warfare, grounded in Drake's own experiences as a Vietnam War veteran. Known for its gritty realism and tactical detail, the book offers a compelling look at the human cost of war through the lens of science fiction.