Customer Reviews

The Weapon Makers

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If you're like most people, when you think of science fiction written in the 1940's and 50's you envision flying cars, household robots, and clothing with rings on it. And indeed, much of the writing from the "Golden Age" of science fiction has this Jetson-esque feel to it. Each generation has a different vision of the future, but for none is quite so likely to produce snickers as this one.

That's why it's refreshing to come across the occasional story that completely confounds those stereotypes. Although it has much that has since become standard science-fiction fare, "The Weapon Makers" is also a surprising modern story. I would not have been surprised to learn that it had been published within the last few years, instead of six decades ago.

The protagonist of the story is the immortal- and brilliant- Robert Hedrock, whose manipulations of society over the past few thousand years have produced an imperial dynasty and a counterbalancing organization dedicated to preserving the access of citizens to weaponry. The delicate balance thus achieved has brought peace and growth to the human race, but is threatened by the chance discovery of an interstellar drive.

Hedrock is a believable character whose arrogance and sense of power grows naturally out of his intellectual gifts and unique immortality. Flawed though he is, the reader can't help but be caught up in the fast paced action he plunges into. Whether or not you'd want an immortal man secretly determining the fate of humankind, by the end of the book you certainly don't want this particular one to fail.