USE OF WEAPONS (1990 - reprinted 2008) is a "Space Opera" far-future SciFi novel, that is part of the Bank's "Culture" series.I found the book to be exceedingly dull... it reminded me of watching TV Soap Operas - which I simply don't have any use for either. I couldn't care less about the characters, nor the story.The story and style of writing reminds me of Asimov's "Foundation Trilogy" series from the 1950's, but updated to be more "sexually racy" for the 1990's audience. Asimov was breaking new ground in the 50's... but this novel adds nothing new, technology-wise.