Three alien races using humans

[Markott8]

Book or probably(?) series, read maybe(?) pre-2000 in paperback
Science fiction: three races, one warlike and individualistic (win by any means), one seemingly peaceful and rather old-fashioned (not innovators, but good spies and technology thieves), one ultra-capitalistic (succeed or be trampled)
Humans used by all three races as soldiers, agents, whatever they need; book(s) largely about three humans, each serving one of the three races

 

[Peter V]

Sounds like Jack Vance...

Planet of Adventure series

 

[Hugh]

It could just be if you allow for a little stretch here and there...

Planet of Adventure - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Parson]

This sounds interesting I just ordered book #1. We'll see.

 

[Peter V]

This sounds interesting I just ordered book #1. We'll see.

I read it many years ago Parson and I did enjoy it at the time. If I can dig it out from where it's hidden away, I think it's due a re-read

 

[Elckerlyc]

Ah! I had to look that one up. Read it a long time ago, in Dutch, so the title didn't ring a bell. But I couldn't imagine there was anything from Jack Vance I hadn't read.
Consisted of 4 books, in one volume with the title 'Tschai, the Mad Planet'.
Well, anything Vance wrote is in some way mad, or - as we like to say here - 'Pleasantly Disturbed'.

 

[Danny McG]

I still remember my schoolboy smirk as I plonked book two onto the library checkout desk in a very ostentatious manner.

(Dear colonials, Google British slang)

 

[Parson]

(Dear colonials, Google British slang)

Dear Oppressors,

We use that same slang. I've plonked down a lot of stuff in my day.

 

[hitmouse]

Good introduction to Vance.

 

[Danny McG]

Dear Oppressors,

We use that same slang. I've plonked down a lot of stuff in my day.

FYI the reference was to the book title, not to the plonking

 

[Parson]

FYI the reference was to the book title, not to the plonking

Planet of Adventure?

 

[Peter V]

Planet of Adventure?

Book 2's individual title. We elder male Brits are nothing if not adolescent from puberty to grave

 

[Parson]

Parson slaps forehead! ---- Had to say it out loud, but yeah, that's a slang that I know from corresponding with Brits over the years.

 

[Peter V]

No sign of the OP to confirm either way