The Stars at War - Imperial Stars, Vol 1 Author:Jerry Pournelle (Editor), John F. Carr (Editor) Arthur Clarke said it first: If mankind is to survive, then for all but a very brief part of our history the word "ship" will mean "space ship". We will spread through space. We will build a colony on the moon: if we had a government of courage and imagination we would have that in time to celebrate the 500th ann... more »iversary of Columbus's voyages of discovery. As it is, it will take a bit longer; but we will go back to the Moon. We will settle other moons, and asteroids, and the planets; and we will go to the stars. Where mankind goes, government goes.
It is no idle thing, then, to think about what forms of government we will take to the stars. We in this enlightened age think we know; but do we? We are, after all, no smarter than our ancestors. We know more, but that's quite a different thing, and we have forgotten much that we had best relearn before we pay dearly for what they knew and we don't.
Stories deal with interstellar barbarians, spacefaring civilizations, and peacekeeping, and are accompanied by essays and poems about military policy, space warfare, and advancing empires.
Contents:
Introduction: Empire • essay by Jerry Pournelle
Editor's Introduction to: In Clouds of Glory • essay by Jerry Pournelle; In Clouds of Glory (1955) / novelette by Algis Budrys
Editor's Introduction to: The Star Plunderer • essay by Jerry Pournelle; The Star Plunderer [Technic History] (1952) / novelette by Poul Anderson
Editor's Introduction to: Two Editorials • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Tribesman, Barbarian and Citizen [Editorial (Analog)] (1961) • essay by John W. Campbell, Jr.; The Barbarians Within (1965) • essay by John W. Campbell, Jr.
Editor's Introduction to: Hymn of Breaking Strain • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Hymn of Breaking Strain (1935) • poem by Rudyard Kipling
Editor's Introduction to: The Miracle of Government • essay by Jerry Pournelle; The Miracle of Government (1957) • essay by James Burnham
Editor's Introduction to: To a Different Drum • essay by Jerry Pournelle; To a Different Drum / novelette by Reginald Bretnor
Editor's Introduction to: The Whirligig of Time • essay by Jerry Pournelle; The Whirligig of Time (1974) / short story by Vernor Vinge
Editor's Introduction to: Nightmare, with Angels • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Nightmare, with Angels (1935) • poem by Stephen Vincent Benét
Editor's Introduction to: The Aristocrat • essay by Jerry Pournelle; The Aristocrat (1949) / novelette by Chan Davis
Editor's Introduction to: The Sons of Martha • essay by Jerry Pournelle; The Sons of Martha (1907) • poem by Rudyard Kipling
Editor's Introduction to: Mail Supremacy • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Mail Supremacy [Chap Foey Rider • 1] (1975) / short story by Hayford Peirce
Editor's Introduction to: Herbig-Haro • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Herbig-Haro [Roxalani • 2] (1984) / novelette by Harry Turtledove
Editor's Introduction to: The Fighting Philosopher • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Fighting Philosopher [Philosophical Corps] (1954) / novelette by Everett B. Cole [as by E. B. Cole]
Editor's Introduction to: The Voodoo Sciences • essay by Jerry Pournelle; The Voodoo Sciences: Part One: The Gamblers [The Alternate View] (1982) • essay by Jerry Pournelle (variant of The Gamblers); The Voodoo Sciences: Part Two: The Voodoo Sciences [The Alternate View] (1982) • essay by Jerry Pournelle (variant of The Voodoo Sciences)
Editor's Introduction to: Pax Galactica • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Pax Galactica (1952) / novelette by Ralph Williams
Editor's Introduction to: The Proper Study of Mankind • essay by Jerry Pournelle; The Proper Study of Mankind [New Beginnings] (1980) • essay by Jerry Pournelle; An Afterword on the Future (The Proper Study of Mankind) • essay by Jerry Pournelle
Editor's Introduction to: Finger Trouble • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Finger Trouble / novelette by Edward P. Hughes
Editor's Introduction to: Yellow Rain and Space Wars • essay by Jerry Pournelle; Yellow Rain (1983) • essay by Adrian Berry; Space Wars (1983) • essay by Adrian Berry
Editor's Introduction to: That Share of Glory • essay by Jerry Pournelle; That Share of Glory (1952) / novelette by C. M. Kornbluth