I just finished reading The Weapon Shops of Isher (1951) by A.E. Van Vogt. This science fiction novel combines three previously published short stories, two from the early 1940s and one from 1949.

It is a novel of ideas, as well as action. It courses along quickly, setting forth a world under the influence of two main powers—the imperial structure of the Empress and the opposing Weapon Shops. These entities create a sort of balance into which the various characters of the story are thrust.

Van Vogt’s prose hurls along and sometimes the reader feels as if they are catching up, trying to fit the pieces together. At other moments, the narrative is punctuated with beautiful, descriptive writing. These elements work together to create a story with a rhythm that pulls the reader along.

I thought this was an excellent foray into the golden age of science-fiction. I found the ideas interesting, the philosophy worth thinking about, and the plot exciting.

His idea was nothing less than that whatever government was in power should not be overthrown. But that an organization should be set up which would have one principal purpose—to ensure that no government ever again obtained complete power over its people.