The Great Explosion — Eric Frank Russell

MISSION OF EMPIRE

Earthmen had colonized hundreds of planets in the four centuries of deep space exploration -- independent new civilizations founded by the discontented and adventurous of Terra.

Trouble was, they were too independent -- and the Terran government had ambitions for a space empire. A giant battle cruiser went out into the starlanes, with instructions to persuade the colonial planets to join the Empire -- and with a couple of thousand troops to back up the persuasion !

It looked like an interesting, if easy, mission -- after all, what kind of opposition could a bunch of backwoods planets offer to the most advanced military power in the Galaxy?

Quite a lot, as it turned out ... and all of it wildly unexpected!

One of the "old pros" of science-fiction, Eric Frank Russell has, in THE GREAT EXPLOSION, written a fast-paced and compelling adventure -- a fascinating look at a possible tomorrow.

A satirical Classic.