Pro

by Gordon R. Dickson

The world designated 49381D is a small backwater planet inhabited by simple agrarians. The Galactic Expansion Service has an agent posted there to slowly bring the native species under the auspices of the Galactic community.

But the new Sector Chief, Harb Mallard, is a man of action. In less than two years he has attained his present rank and he is in a hurry to proceed even higher. With a display of false bravado backed up by hidden technological wonders, Harb Mallard infiltrates a warlike faction of the native population. He intends to rise swiftly to a position of power and then present the Galactic Expansion Service with a fully converted population in record time.
But what Harb doesn't know is enough to cost him his sanity. The ultimate lesson is learned too late, for the end is always a direct result of the means.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1978

About the author

Gordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author. He was born in Canada, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a teenager. He is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle and the Dragon Knight series. He won three Hugo awards and one Nebula award.

Reviews

[Rodney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a bad book but definitely not one of Gordon R. Dickson’s best. I have read many of his books and have read several multiple times but will probably not read this one again. The illustrations did nothing to improve this book either.

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read with illustrations. Language suitable for young teen perhaps. Quite enjoyable, but ending was too abrupt and the denouement wasn't believable.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an illustrated science fiction novel which were briefly popular in the late 1970s.

The book itself is closer to novella length padded with a huge number of illustrations. Unfortunately, the illustrations aren’t particularly good and are more of a distraction than anything else.

This novel is a poor example of Dickson’s writing, and I have no doubt that there are readers out where who read Pro and never came back to Gordon R. Dickson. That’s a shame because he really is a solid writer in my experience.

The bones of an interesting story are present, but this reads like a first draft. Thank heaven for the twist ending which almost made Pro worth finishing.

I don’t have much more to say about this book other than advising you to avoid it. I’m a little bit annoyed with myself for picking this book to read first out of a stack of Dickson novels I bought via eBay. At least it was short.

[Al "Tank" · Rating 3 out of 5]

A self-centered "pro", more interested in his own advancement than helping the alien natives of the planet. Not afraid to get people killed in the processes. Not up to Dickson's normal yarn.

[Philip Athans · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE example of an entirely unlikable protagonist--if you can even call him a PROtagonist.

[Kevin Downer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast and enjoyable. Viking like alien culture being groomed by a Pro "cultur builder." Read it and find out who the real Pro is.

[SciFiOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade C+.

[Peri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining story. I think I might have liked it less but for the great illustrations. I would say if you like Gordon R. Dickson it's worth the quick read.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a short story with many pictures than a novel, this is an interesting tale of a spaceman living with primitives, with a very unexpected and not very plausible twist.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun read about forcibly advancing a primitive race with a twist.....