Gordon R. Dickson. Beginnings (1988) Another Dickson selection. Reprints several much-anthologised stories, eg, “Danger – Human!” and “Idiot Solvant”. Includes “Soldier, Ask Not”, one of the early Dorsai tales, and still one of the best meditations on the role of the soldier. Worth picking up if you find a copy. I found this one on a remainder rack, paid $4.95, worth the price. *** to ****Gordon R. Dickson. Wolfling. (1969) Jim Keil is inserted into the decadent Empire’s heart by means of a bullfight staged to entertain the High-born visiting Alpha Centauri 4. He advances step by step into the Emperor’s favour, and prevents an assassination attempt by the Emperor’s cousin. He must defend himself against the would-be assassin, and wins (of course). Returned to Earth, he stands trial for treason, because the authorities fear his actions will draw the wrath of the Empire. He survives that final ordeal, too (of course). And he gets the girl (of course).
One of Dickson’s early attempts at painting Earth and Earthlings as exceptional. He succeeds, not only because he develops plausible implications of his premises, but because of his above average ability to create characters that drive the story. True, the characters here are stereotypes, but in their context they seem to be more. Creating that illusion well enough that we accept it while the story unfolds is all that’s required, and Dickson delivers.Oh yeah, “wolfling” is the High-borns’ name for him, since he comes from an uncivilised world. ***
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