Scumbase

"God, I'm in love," thought Miles. "Brother Miles wants YOU for the Reformation Army" ... then got hold of his thoughts. Here, now, was the make-or-break point for his scheme, and all the persiflage, verbal misdirection, charm, chutzpah, and bullshit he could muster weren't going to be enough, not even tied up with a big blue bow.

The arrival of a misshapen infant into the rarefied world of the hereditary rulers of planet Barryar hasn't been without its excitement.  A military family, both Vorkosigan parents spent time in service, being overly excellent at their jobs and amassing more than one blood enemy.  Unfortunately, one manages to toss a soltoxin grenade through a bedroom window where the pregnant Cordelia is sleeping, causing damage to the unborn child.  Although the child's grandfather tries to kill him before birth, Miles manages to arrive kicking and screaming.

At 17, Miles fails the physical exam to enter the Barrayaran Imperial Military Service Academy. To get over this disappointment, he takes a trip to his mother's homeworld, Beta Colony; has (unintended) space adventures for a few months; and improvises a force called the Dendarii Mercenaries into existence. In the process, his lifelong protector Sergeant Bothari is killed. Miles is charged with treason, exonerated, and (through a little nepotism) accepted into the Barrayaran Imperial Military Service.

From that point on, Miles leads a double life ... as Admiral Naismith of the Dendarii Free Mercenaries and as Miles Vorkosigan, lowly military scum trying to stay out of trouble ... succeeding wildly at the former and failing madly at the latter.

Here is the chronological order of his story.

• Barrayar 
• The Warrior's Apprentice 
• Borders of Infinity 
• The Vor Game 
• Cetaganda 
• Brothers in Arms
• Mirror Dance 
• Memory 
• Komarr 
• A Civil Campaign 
• "Winterfair Gifts" 
• Diplomatic Immunity 
• Cryoburn 

Lois McMaster Bujold has hit literary acclaim with many Hugos and Nebulas.  In this series, Barrayar won both major awards in 1992.

Her other works include a couple of prequels of Mile's parents activies, The Chalion series and The Wide Green World Series. One extremely notable book is Falling Free, also set in the Vorkosigan universe.