JoSH@RUTGERS.ARPA (06/20/83)
From: JoSH <JoSH@RUTGERS.ARPA> Anyone interested in libertarianism and SF must read "The Survival of Freedom", a collection of stories edited by Jerry Pournelle. Although not strictly libertarian, it is generally aimed in that direction. It includes the gem by F. Paul Wilson, "Lipidleggin'", and a piece by David Friedman. I heard that F. Paul Wilson had written an SF novel entitled "Enemy of the State" but upon ordering it from my bookstore, discovered it was out of print. Does anyone know anything about it? There are to my mind two libertarian classics in science fiction, "And Then There Were None" by Eric Frank Russell (a (long) short story), and "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" by Robert A. Heinlein. Another Heinlein novel, "Beyond This Horizon", is of particular libertarian flavor but has not the stature of a classic. I regret that I do not have a better knowledge of Russell's other writings. "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand is not science fiction by my definition, but is "SF" by some people's. Bernardo de la Paz says, "I could live with a Randite." I could too. You might also read "Shield" by Poul Anderson and see what you think. Yes, it has a bogus deus ex machina ending. --JoSH -------
dietz%usc-cse%USC-ECL@sri-unix.UUCP (07/04/83)
"The Syndic", just reissued, is considered a classic libertarian SF novel. I forget the author(s).
lmc@denelcor.UUCP (Lyle McElhaney) (05/14/84)
<>
Oh, recently a novel was published that takes place in a mythical
African country of the future which is basically libertarian in
a world of corporate states, and it is quite good despite the
propaganda, but for the life of me I can't remember the author
or title--perhaps someone else on the net knows, as I would like
to read more by the author.
It's "Manna", by Lee Corey (aka G. Harry Stine). The propaganda is a
little thick, but the Libertarianism flows more or less naturally from the
Philosophy of Abundance that is the central idea forming the basis of the
country in which the novel takes place. I would like to know if there is
some connection between the backgrounds of the inhabitants of the country
(predominantly African and Persian Gulf) and this philosophy, something
that predisposes to it.
Correy's other books all speak somewhat to personal freedom; "Skydriver"
discusses freedom in an business setting; "Space Doctor" and "Shuttle Down"
have side plots based in freedom of personal choice. Primarily Stine
promotes space. The political and personal ramifications flow from the
wealth, the "pioneering" spirit, and the attitude of the people attracted
by the challenges.
This philosophy is reflected in a lot of authors: Heinlein, Niven, and
Pournelle jump to mind.
--
Lyle McElhaney
(hao,brl-bmd,nbires,csu-cs,scgvaxd)!denelcor!lmcted@usceast.UUCP (Ted Nolan) (05/22/84)
<there is such a thing as free lunch ,for bugs> Someone was asking for libertarian sf stories a while back, and I have yet to see one of my favorites mentioned: "And Then There Were None" by Eric Frank Russel I know this has been collected at least a couple times, once in a book by Russel called The Great Explosion (I think). At any rate, it was, like much of Russel's work very funny as well as making a point. On the subject of Libertarian sf, was anyone else disturbed by the destruction of Venus in L Neil Smith's The Venus Belt? I am generally (though not completely) sympathetic to the libertarian cause , but this seemed like going beyond the pale. PS : if I've not spelled Russel correctly, sorry -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ted Nolan usceast!ted 6536 Brookside Circle Columbia, SC 29206 (feather the rast!) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------