Going over it now. I noticed under the section for explaining division nicknames that it bears some remarkable parallels to what Takiro wrote in FM: Terran Republic. 
I noticed that too FSL but it was a plausible explanation that quite candidly might not have been my idea. FM TR was built over time with extensive input from the entire BattleTech community. Of course I liked seeing the idea canonized and above all I'm flattered by your loving memory of my fanfic. Blacknova is quite right though as previous incidents have soured TPTB using intellectual property "created" by fans. Can't say I blame them as it is sad really gotta hate lawyers. There are small differences but gotta say I loved to see the SLDF Nickname explanation even if it is a little different from FM TR.
Also gotta say reading this new tome gives me ideas for the revision of FM TR. Love the maps in the back!
Regardless of where it originally came from, it was a novel idea for explaining how unit titles in the SLDF work.
That aside, my primary feelings on the book are mixed, but mostly positive. A lot of good, new stuff in there, way more than can be digested in a full sitting; it does a lot to make the SLDF come to life in the same way previous field manuals did for the other militaries. Definitely some gaps in coverage though, and some very disappointing regurgitation of text from the SL SB with almost no updates to more obscure units like the Special Forces Command and CAAN Regiments. No new color plates for the uniforms either. That and some of the information presented seems poorly linked or downright contradictory to what was presented in ER: 2750.
The rules annex was the biggest letdown in my opinion. Very short and it tired too hard to cram all that information into eight pages. Even more noticeable was the lack of info on general force abilities, which are found in LoT Vol. I. It just kind of rubs me the wrong way that they would do that, splitting critical information on generating a SLDF unit into two separate books. The Field Manual is supposed to be the last word on this kind of thing, and they dropped the ball there.
This book was hardly skimpy at 260 pages, but I also feel it could have used another 50 pages or so. You could have addressed just about everything you needed to with the extra length (both in-universe and out), and still avoid it from being excessively bloated.
Considering I've been dreaming of a book like this for a good 15 years or so, I have to say it was well worth the money in spite of its flaws. It's arguably one of the strongest products Catalyst has put out in the past few years, and it has some worthy competition in that regard. I think in time it will become as well regarded as the original Star League SB.
And while I doubt he will ever read this, I will say that Herb should not be so quick to dismiss a "FM: SLDF Supplemental " or whatever. I think you could still do a lot with the SLDF without removing all of the mystery, and I would pay decent money to see such a book written.
Anyway, I'll submit a more detailed review once I've gone over the book more thoroughly.
