Re:Simple answer (Score 1)

Player of games is the easiest Ian banks book to get you into how the culture operates (IMHO). Use of weapons is another that can stand alone. A lot of the others (excession) require some general outline of what the culture is before you start reading, otherwise you probably will think it needlessly complex. Having said that, Bank's universe is one of the best out there for a serious, thought provoking, funny book. I still prefer snow crash by neal stephenson for an entertaining book though. It, for want of a better word, rocks. BLM