The Spear of Mars

The Future at War Series #2

by Reginald Bretnor (Editor), James Tiptree Jr., Frank Quattrocchi

In this, The Spear of Mars, Vol 2 of THE FUTURE AT WAR series, some of the most brilliant science fiction and military writers take a close look at the future of our planet in the light of History's only sure thing: The Future of War. As inevitable as the colonization of Space: invasions of earth, the solar system at war, wherever humans go, they take their conflicts with them. The socially organized application of force is called war. Right now mankind has begun to spread out into the solar system, taking with him his technologies and his social institutions. There's no stopping it: The Spear of Mars has been flung. It Will Strike. There will be war between the worlds... Enjoy these stories and essays of future military science. Stories and articles that deal with alien invasions, interplanetary warfare, and the life of soldiers.

Contents:
* Introduction (The Spear of Mars: The Future at War Vol. 2) (1980) • essay by Reginald Bretnor; Cover art by Vincent di Fate
* The Screwfly Solution / novelette by James Tiptree, Jr. [as by Raccoona Sheldon] (winner, 1977 Nebula Award. Nominated, 1978 Hugo Award)
* The Sword (1953) / Frank Quattrocchi
* Invasions of Earth (1980) • essay by Joseph Wesley [as by L. J. Stecher Jr.]
* UFOs and Stranger Intruders (1980) essay by Joseph F. Goodavage
* Temple Guardian (1979) / shortstory by Kevin O'Donnell Jr.
* Mirror, Mirror [Psi High • 4] (1967) / novelette by Alan E. Nourse (variant of The Mirror 1960)
* Man: A Transitional Animal (1973) • essay by Carl Sagan
* Balaam (1954) / shortstory by Anthony Boucher
* Encased in the Amber of Death (1980) / poem by Robert Frazier
* Cold Victory [Psychotechnic League] (1957) / novelette by Poul Anderson
* Women Under Fire (1980) • essay by Vicki Ann Heydron
* This Faithful Soldier's Life (1980) / novelette by James A. Stevens [as by James Stevens-Arce]
* The Ultimate Weapon (1980) • essay by T. R. Fehrenbach
* Ender's Game [Ender Wiggin] (1977) / novelette by Orson Scott Card (nominated, 1978 Hugo Award)
* Fool's Mate (1953) / shortstory by Robert Sheckley
* Wings Out of Shadow [Berserker] (1974) / novelette by Fred Saberhagen
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Genres: Science Fiction, Anthologies

406 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published March 1, 1980

Reviews

[Larry Wegman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story science fiction and essays about the future of warfare. Includes the excellent "Ender's Game," and one other, "Baalam, by Anthony Boucher, that I liked quite a bit, but the rest is uneven at best.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really strong collection of SF stories and essays on future warfare. Particularly strong stories were "Cold Victory" by Poul Anderson, "Fool's Mate" by Robert Scheckley, "Ender's Game" by Orson Scott Card, and "Wings out of Shadow" by Saberhagen.

A strong anthology.

[Freek]

N/A