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Berserker
Berserker Lies
Contents
ix • Introduction: Berserker Lies • essay by Fred Saberhagen
1 • The Machinery of Lies • novella by Fred Saberhagen
71 • Masque of the Red Shift • (1965) • novelette by Fred Saberhagen
95 • In the Temple of Mars • (1966) • novelette by Fred Saberhagen
117 • Brother Berserker • (1967) • novella by Fred Saberhagen
183 • Smasher • (1978) • novelette by Fred Saberhagen
ix • Introduction: Berserker Lies • essay by Fred Saberhagen
1 • The Machinery of Lies • novella by Fred Saberhagen
71 • Masque of the Red Shift • (1965) • novelette by Fred Saberhagen
95 • In the Temple of Mars • (1966) • novelette by Fred Saberhagen
117 • Brother Berserker • (1967) • novella by Fred Saberhagen
183 • Smasher • (1978) • novelette by Fred Saberhagen
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 15, 1991
1 person is currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Fred Saberhagen
335 books496 followersFred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 22, 2013
Five stories in this collection, but only 1 of which ("The Machinery of Lies") is new. The others are available elsewhere, so you're essentially buying this book for that one story.
Fast paced and exciting, the story ultimately suffers from trying to be too neat with yet another plot twist. A fun read, though, and worth your time. The entire Berserker series seems under-appreciated to me, and this story is unlikely to rectify that situation, even while it satisfies the fans.
Fast paced and exciting, the story ultimately suffers from trying to be too neat with yet another plot twist. A fun read, though, and worth your time. The entire Berserker series seems under-appreciated to me, and this story is unlikely to rectify that situation, even while it satisfies the fans.
November 21, 2020
If you are a fan of the Berserker series this won't disappoint. Some stories are not very strong but overall Saberhagen manages to always find new ways of writing about the death machines and the human defenders. Moscarella/Machinia.ca
September 3, 2020
Incoherent and strange.
August 16, 2025
nice set of short stories,Scifi
March 21, 2017
The machinery of lies has an absolutely entertaining conclusion. Masque of the Red Death and Temple of Mars are fairly decent, straight-forward action stories. I have read Brother Berserker, before, and honestly it's bored me both times. The use of Foucault's pendulum, in the Brother story, is entertaining, but it doesn't salvage the rest of the narrative. Smasher, is the wrap-up story, and it's delightful. Saberhagen has to create a Berserker that matches this story's protagonist, but the protagonist is completely worth the stretch.
November 28, 2017
Fun collection of short stories dealing with mankind's war with those alien death machines, the Berserkers.
Nice mix of classic war story elements and big sci-fi tropes.
Not as classic as some series, but always a solid read.
Read a lot of Sabrehagen in college and I always enjoyed his stuff. This series has so much potential, I'm surprised no one has tried to continue it or scoop up the movie or comic rights.
Nice mix of classic war story elements and big sci-fi tropes.
Not as classic as some series, but always a solid read.
Read a lot of Sabrehagen in college and I always enjoyed his stuff. This series has so much potential, I'm surprised no one has tried to continue it or scoop up the movie or comic rights.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews