The Desert and the Stars by Keith Laumer

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About this eBook

Author Laumer, Keith, 1925-1993
Illustrator Gaughan, Jack, 1930-1985
Title The Desert and the Stars
Credits Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Summary "The Desert and the Stars" by Keith Laumer is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book explores themes of diplomacy and interstellar politics as it centers around the character Retief, who faces challenges in maintaining peace on the planet Flamme amidst conflicts between different factions. The narrative reflects on the complexities of colonialism, territorial disputes, and the nature of power in a futuristic setting. The story follows Retief, who is a diplomatic envoy caught in a tense situation between the local Boyars and the invading Aga Kagans on Flamme. As he tries to negotiate peace through a series of amusing yet precarious encounters, it becomes clear that the Aga Kagans, despite their seemingly primitive lifestyle, are equipped with formidable military capabilities. Retief’s mission is further complicated by the bureaucratic indifference of his own superiors back on Earth, who prefer non-action over tangible support. Through clever dialogue and unexpected confrontations, Retief must navigate the absurdities of diplomacy while ensuring the Boyars can retain control over their hard-earned lands against the cunning Aga Kagans, ultimately showcasing both the farcical and serious aspects of galactic diplomacy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Science fiction
Subject Short stories
Subject Life on other planets -- Fiction
Subject Space colonies -- Fiction
Subject Retief (Fictitious character) -- Fiction
Subject Diplomats -- Fiction
Category Text
EBook-No. 61285
Release Date
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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