The Adventurer

'The Adventurer' is from 1953. It is set both in a United States of America that appears to be a republic in name only. It's even called 'the Republic'. The presidency has become hereditary. The Soviet Union is the Republic's principal opponent. Premier Yersinsky is its current head. There's a balance of power between the two, which is why the Moon and Titan are Republic, Mars and Ganymede are Soviet, and Jupiter's Io and Callisto are each half and half. Part of the action is set in New Pittsburgh, the main settlement of the Repulbic half of Io.

We open with President Folsom XXIV, obviously a dim bulb completely unfit to be in charge of a restroom, let alone a republic. He is meeting with his Cabinet because he wants to buy the show more Nicolaides Collection of art. Not a dozen paragraphs later and we learn why opposing the president is a Very Bad Idea. Good thing the White House gym has a corner that isn't bugged, because the cabinet has things to discuss.

We switch to miner Grayson's house in New Pittsburgh, where little Tommy Grayson has been beaten up in school because someone claimed his father was a Soviet who'd crossed the line and changed his name. Grayson adds to the injuries and slaps Mrs. Grayson to get more money for booze. Mrs. Grayson encourages Tommy to do well in school.

President Folsom XXV takes over in an unpleasant scene.

Cadet Fourth Class Grayson at the academy has to be pulled off from strangling his roommate to death because the foolish lad was reading a letter from Thomas' mother without permission.

Years later, Present Folsom XXV is discussing getting the iron they desperately need without going to war. As it so happens, the Widow Grayson drags herself back from across the line into the Nizhi-Magnitogorsk settlement back to New Pittsburgh. She is not in good shape and has a harrowing tale about what was done to her on the Soviet's side.

A Republic ship captain is killed during the hostilities. His ship is taken over by Ensign Grayson, who succeeds and keeps on succeeding.

I was not expecting the revelations at the end. They are what prompted the extra half-star. show less

Another classic Kornbluth short story, about how to deal with tyrants, one way or another... Not his best, but still worth the quick read.

Political plotting doesn't always give you the desired results.