Direct Descent (Book Review)

     Frank Herbert Direct Descent (1980) Yes, it’s that Frank Herbert: Author of Dune, as the cover reminds us. Part 1 was published in Astounding Science Fiction as “Pack Rat Planet” in 1954. Internal evidence suggests that Part 2 ("Direct Descent") was written around the same time. Both are classic mid-20th century SF tales, with hints of advanced technologies, sardonic humour, serious exploration of the social implications of technical and political change, and adequate characterisation, in all of which Herbert excelled. Here, Earth has become a hollowed core of its former self and houses the Galactic Library, a vast archive of text and artifacts recording the history of humankind. “Gravitics” maintain gravity despite Earth’s vastly reduced mass. Rhomboid boxes display “realised images” of distant persons or scenes, but Herbert (wisely) says nothing about how it’s done.
     Both tales are in of the victorious underdog genre. In Part 1, a fascist oppressive regime takes over and wants to destroy the Library. By doing exactly what they are told to do, the Librarians wreck the scheme. When the broadcasts of material stop as ordered, the rest of the galaxy turns on the new government and ousts the Leader. In Part 2, a band of cost cutters who want to eliminate the “inefficient” Library is stymied when the Free Islanders, who are entitled to miscellaneous periodic payments, and on whose maintenance about 60% 0f the budget is spent, demand that the accumulated debt be paid. The ruler of the Island assumes governorship of Earth, which also helps.
     An entertaining and nostalgic read. Illustrations extend the page count, but are uncredited. **½