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The Augmented Agent
- Shape-Up (1953)- The Man from Zodiac (1967)- Golden Girl (1951)- The Planet Machine (1951)- Crusade to Maxus (1951)- Three-Legged Joe (1953)- Sjambak (1953)- The Augmented Agent (1961)
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1986
About the author
Jack Vance
811 books1,657 followersAka John Holbrook Vance, Peter Held, Ellery Queen, Alan Wade.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
John Holbrook Vance was an American writer widely celebrated for his imaginative contributions to science fiction, fantasy, and mystery literature. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known for richly detailed worlds, inventive language, and stories that combined adventure with sharp social observation. His work influenced generations of speculative fiction writers and helped expand the literary possibilities of the genre. Vance wrote more than sixty books and numerous short stories, many first appearing in science fiction magazines before later being expanded into novels and collections. His fiction was widely translated and developed an international readership.
Vance grew up in California and spent part of his youth on a ranch near the Sacramento River delta, where he developed a love of the outdoors and an appetite for reading. The family experienced financial hardship during the Great Depression, prompting him to take a variety of jobs before completing his studies at the University of California, Berkeley. During these years he worked in several trades and cultivated interests in music, travel, and sailing, experiences that later informed many of the settings and themes in his fiction. Before becoming a full-time writer he held numerous occupations, including shipyard worker, merchant seaman, carpenter, and surveyor.
His earliest published story appeared in the mid 1940s in a science fiction magazine, marking the beginning of a long writing career. Throughout the following decades he produced stories across multiple genres, though he became best known for science fiction and fantasy cycles that combined imaginative settings with elaborate cultures and social systems. Among his most famous works are The Dragon Masters and The Last Castle, both of which received Hugo Awards. The Last Castle also earned the Nebula Award, confirming Vance's reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in speculative fiction. His fantasy trilogy Lyonesse later received the World Fantasy Award, while his memoir This Is Me, Jack Vance! earned another Hugo decades later.
In addition to speculative fiction, Vance wrote several mystery novels, some under pseudonyms including Ellery Queen. These works often blended crime elements with psychological or social themes and sometimes anticipated ideas that later appeared in his science fiction. His storytelling frequently emphasized cultural conflict, moral ambiguity, and intricate social customs rather than large-scale warfare, setting him apart from many contemporaries in the genre.
Vance maintained close friendships with other science fiction writers and participated in literary communities that shaped postwar American speculative fiction. He traveled widely with his family and spent extended periods abroad, experiences that influenced the exotic settings and cosmopolitan tone found in many of his books. Music also played a role in his life and writing, reflecting his long-standing enthusiasm for traditional jazz.
Despite gradually losing his eyesight later in life, Vance continued writing with the aid of specialized software and completed both fiction and autobiography in his later years. Over time his reputation grew steadily, and he received numerous honors, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and recognition as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Critics and fellow writers often praised his distinctive style, wit, and imagination, and his stories remain widely read within the science fiction and fantasy community.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 19, 2020
"Shape-Up" - 4 stars
A trap is sprung, concealed weapons are revealed, mysteries are solved. As Miriam notes in her review, this short story is a master class is saying a lot with a little. A whole society and way of living are outlined briskly, tantalizingly.
"The Man from Zodiac" - 4 stars
Zodiac Control Inc. creates governments. Milton Hack is their nondescript field representative. Poor Milton has to deal with creating a functioning society out of two gross barbarian clans. Achieving this will require skulduggery, bamboozlement, mining operations, and putting greed and opportunism to work in the service of the greater good. This is Vance at his most sardonic and dispassionate. Fun stuff!
"Golden Girl" - 3 stars
It sure is depressing being an attractive alien from an evolved civilization stranded on a detestable barbaric world called Earth. I really felt for the poor lass.
"The Planet Machine" - 3 stars
A mechanic is perhaps accidentally sent to a strange planet to fix a talkative machine that has become sick and deadly. Jack Vance loves languages and he loves long-game mysteries and this story is full of both. Very enjoyable.
"Crusade to Maxus" - 4 stars
'Tis revolution time! Technocrat slavers must die! This was a rousing adventure delivered coolly in the classic ironic Vancean style. Although there was less irony and more satisfying albeit brutal schadenfreude in the exciting finale of technocratic overlords vs. telepathic revolutionaries. One side holds rather an advantage... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"Three-Legged Joe" - 2 stars
Two arrogant young prospectors find a threat on a barren world. This was overlong and too concerned with which tools and devices would best destroy Joe, whose only offense is his appetite. Poor hungry Joe, I really felt for him too.
"Sjambak" - 3 stars
A documentarian visits a placid society of Javanese and Arabic heritage. Such a peaceful lifestyle is sure to create its small share of malcontents and would-be warriors, if only to combat boredom. And thus the "sjambaks". A pleasant and amusing story.
"The Augmented Agent" - 5 stars
And now for something completely different! This novella is a Cold War espionage tale set in the imaginary African country of Lakhadi, caught between the Soviet Union and China, and trying to forge its own destiny. It is rife with cyborg agents: spies, assassins, and doubles; its hero an African-American spy in the highly augmented, weaponized guise of a tribal chieftain. Vance quickly removed any fears I may have had of reading a potentially colonialist take on Africa. His sympathies are squarely with a Free Lakhadi - one that could unite and lead the African nations - while still retaining his typically ironic perspective. The finale of multiple doubles trying to take each other out was wild.
"Peculiar sort of assassination," he reflected. "Everyone gets killed but the victim."
A trap is sprung, concealed weapons are revealed, mysteries are solved. As Miriam notes in her review, this short story is a master class is saying a lot with a little. A whole society and way of living are outlined briskly, tantalizingly.
"The Man from Zodiac" - 4 stars
Zodiac Control Inc. creates governments. Milton Hack is their nondescript field representative. Poor Milton has to deal with creating a functioning society out of two gross barbarian clans. Achieving this will require skulduggery, bamboozlement, mining operations, and putting greed and opportunism to work in the service of the greater good. This is Vance at his most sardonic and dispassionate. Fun stuff!
"Golden Girl" - 3 stars
It sure is depressing being an attractive alien from an evolved civilization stranded on a detestable barbaric world called Earth. I really felt for the poor lass.
"The Planet Machine" - 3 stars
A mechanic is perhaps accidentally sent to a strange planet to fix a talkative machine that has become sick and deadly. Jack Vance loves languages and he loves long-game mysteries and this story is full of both. Very enjoyable.
"Crusade to Maxus" - 4 stars
'Tis revolution time! Technocrat slavers must die! This was a rousing adventure delivered coolly in the classic ironic Vancean style. Although there was less irony and more satisfying albeit brutal schadenfreude in the exciting finale of technocratic overlords vs. telepathic revolutionaries. One side holds rather an advantage... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"Three-Legged Joe" - 2 stars
Two arrogant young prospectors find a threat on a barren world. This was overlong and too concerned with which tools and devices would best destroy Joe, whose only offense is his appetite. Poor hungry Joe, I really felt for him too.
"Sjambak" - 3 stars
A documentarian visits a placid society of Javanese and Arabic heritage. Such a peaceful lifestyle is sure to create its small share of malcontents and would-be warriors, if only to combat boredom. And thus the "sjambaks". A pleasant and amusing story.
"The Augmented Agent" - 5 stars
And now for something completely different! This novella is a Cold War espionage tale set in the imaginary African country of Lakhadi, caught between the Soviet Union and China, and trying to forge its own destiny. It is rife with cyborg agents: spies, assassins, and doubles; its hero an African-American spy in the highly augmented, weaponized guise of a tribal chieftain. Vance quickly removed any fears I may have had of reading a potentially colonialist take on Africa. His sympathies are squarely with a Free Lakhadi - one that could unite and lead the African nations - while still retaining his typically ironic perspective. The finale of multiple doubles trying to take each other out was wild.
"Peculiar sort of assassination," he reflected. "Everyone gets killed but the victim."
Currently Reading
August 7, 2015"Shape-Up" (1953) -- Fun, and clever in unexpected ways. The characters weren't that developed (it's quite short) but there is a surprising sense of extensive background history and world-building created with very few sentences. I highly recommend looking at this if you are an author and find yourself info-dumping. 4 stars
"The Man from Zodiac" (1967) -- Longer and slower but very intelligent and interesting to watch develop. And how many fictions about economic development professional managers can you name? 4 stars
"Golden Girl" (1951) -- Short and not very smart or original. The ending was particularly poorly handled, with the heavy-handed coincidence. It's funny how sci-fi writers often seem so much flatter and more dated when they try to work in a contemporary setting than in a futuristic one. I did like the aspect of the stranded alien being the equivalent of a jet-setting socialite crashing a yacht while driving recklessly with her party pals. 2 stars
The library wants this back so I guess I'll read the other stories some future date.
The Planet Machine (1951)
Crusade to Maxus (1951)
Three-Legged Joe (1953)
Sjambak (1953)
The Augmented Agent (1961)
"The Man from Zodiac" (1967) -- Longer and slower but very intelligent and interesting to watch develop. And how many fictions about economic development professional managers can you name? 4 stars
"Golden Girl" (1951) -- Short and not very smart or original. The ending was particularly poorly handled, with the heavy-handed coincidence. It's funny how sci-fi writers often seem so much flatter and more dated when they try to work in a contemporary setting than in a futuristic one. I did like the aspect of the stranded alien being the equivalent of a jet-setting socialite crashing a yacht while driving recklessly with her party pals. 2 stars
The library wants this back so I guess I'll read the other stories some future date.
The Planet Machine (1951)
Crusade to Maxus (1951)
Three-Legged Joe (1953)
Sjambak (1953)
The Augmented Agent (1961)
January 4, 2012
I read the intro and.....Basically it was a campaign for Vance heroes as regular fellas running around and doing incredible things to the environment they are written into with wits and brains rarely employed before.
Vance takes all kinds, usually not the genetically perfected sexless mastermensch, and works them into stories, rarely using knuckleheads as main characters. There's one Laurel and Hardy type story in here "Three Legged Joe" that he has some bumble freindly fukups learning about 3 legged Joe on a remote ore site.
That story wasn't very good. The rest of the book is old carefully worded dynamite fun. The last story "The Augmented Agent" is along the lines of the mentor 'wizard' in LANGUAGES OF PAO. A reworked human with hidden tech devices all over his body, transmitting via tooth to a help from above for assistance. The Agent is set in Africa with a Parliament leader's face and is trying to set the course for the future of the country with a spilling waterfall of other enemy augmented agents skillfully knocking on doors and transmitting information themselves, James Bond style pens slashing.
The story "The Planet Machine" is a nice apocolypse planet designed to kill everyone on it with a malfunctioning computer who needs some kind of hobby to distract itself from a janitor joe type getting some repair to it. Real fifties kinda stuff and really well written.
"Sjambak" was about the Malay-Arab planet some reporter is sent to. He's to cook up a story around a mad bare chested arab riding a horse in space, locate and exploit. Trying to woo the locals with all the spy cell cloth weave by bragging he can make aluminum from clay and a paralyzer gun with some foil, transistors and a battery in some bamboo.
"The Man from Zodiac" is about this guy who takes on a contract to help some backwards barbarians build a government who want to run amok in other's pastures. They are semi lazy and want long range missles to do the work and find a sort of cooperative evolution/destruction of their backyards is the only thing that can get the ball rolling. The story is delivered like a cold narrator explaining the painfully obvious simplicity of the barbarians dealing with the crafty 'hero' in simplistic ways and ending up with eggs on the face until they cooperate. Another contract from a different company has the opposing city (B) of barbarians and has to establish a government there too. They want bombs to blow up barbarian city(A). The words spoken in dealing with these war hungry nuts have to be said specifically to twist the minds to thinking they are getting ahead of the other guys without being ego stomped. Vance at his dryest wit. Crafty trapeze act of words spinning around the dagger ready, war import hungry, b-barians. A brilliantly written short.
"Shape Up" is a who-dunnit, which reminds me Vance used to write for ELLERY QUEEN. His tactic of putting a handfull of weapon quick guys in a room for a job interview to find out who stole what when. Blood samples included. Well this whole book is A-ONE brilliant except that 3 L. Jo which gets a okey dokie just for trying to set comic elements in it and using for once a pair of goofs for main characters.
Vance takes all kinds, usually not the genetically perfected sexless mastermensch, and works them into stories, rarely using knuckleheads as main characters. There's one Laurel and Hardy type story in here "Three Legged Joe" that he has some bumble freindly fukups learning about 3 legged Joe on a remote ore site.
That story wasn't very good. The rest of the book is old carefully worded dynamite fun. The last story "The Augmented Agent" is along the lines of the mentor 'wizard' in LANGUAGES OF PAO. A reworked human with hidden tech devices all over his body, transmitting via tooth to a help from above for assistance. The Agent is set in Africa with a Parliament leader's face and is trying to set the course for the future of the country with a spilling waterfall of other enemy augmented agents skillfully knocking on doors and transmitting information themselves, James Bond style pens slashing.
The story "The Planet Machine" is a nice apocolypse planet designed to kill everyone on it with a malfunctioning computer who needs some kind of hobby to distract itself from a janitor joe type getting some repair to it. Real fifties kinda stuff and really well written.
"Sjambak" was about the Malay-Arab planet some reporter is sent to. He's to cook up a story around a mad bare chested arab riding a horse in space, locate and exploit. Trying to woo the locals with all the spy cell cloth weave by bragging he can make aluminum from clay and a paralyzer gun with some foil, transistors and a battery in some bamboo.
"The Man from Zodiac" is about this guy who takes on a contract to help some backwards barbarians build a government who want to run amok in other's pastures. They are semi lazy and want long range missles to do the work and find a sort of cooperative evolution/destruction of their backyards is the only thing that can get the ball rolling. The story is delivered like a cold narrator explaining the painfully obvious simplicity of the barbarians dealing with the crafty 'hero' in simplistic ways and ending up with eggs on the face until they cooperate. Another contract from a different company has the opposing city (B) of barbarians and has to establish a government there too. They want bombs to blow up barbarian city(A). The words spoken in dealing with these war hungry nuts have to be said specifically to twist the minds to thinking they are getting ahead of the other guys without being ego stomped. Vance at his dryest wit. Crafty trapeze act of words spinning around the dagger ready, war import hungry, b-barians. A brilliantly written short.
"Shape Up" is a who-dunnit, which reminds me Vance used to write for ELLERY QUEEN. His tactic of putting a handfull of weapon quick guys in a room for a job interview to find out who stole what when. Blood samples included. Well this whole book is A-ONE brilliant except that 3 L. Jo which gets a okey dokie just for trying to set comic elements in it and using for once a pair of goofs for main characters.
December 27, 2016
The Augmented Agent and Other Stories is a 1986 collection of eight stories with an introduction. One of the stories included is a novelette titled "The Augmented Agent." There are also four other novelettes and three short stories. The eight stories were originally published between 1951 and 1967. I had only encountered two of the eight stories in any of my other nine collections of Vance's shorter works. Although none of my very favorite Vance short works are here, it is still a strong collection, not to be missed by Vance fans or any readers who appreciate very well written short stories and novelettes. I'm not fond of most science fiction short stories myself, but really enjoy almost all of Vance's. I know of no fiction writer from any genre or era who can say so much in so few pages. I gave this collection a rating of 4 "Really liked it." Below are comments regarding each story.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
"Shape-Up" is an 11 page short story published first in Cosmos Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine in 1953. Our protagonist, Jarvis, reads a classified ad about four high paying positions available as space travelers and decides to apply. When he arrives at the place of interview he notes that many other men are also interested in the jobs. He finds his interview to be especially strange because they seem mostly interested in weight and blood type of the applicants and want to narrow the group down to eight. Jarvis soon finds himself to be under suspicion for past misdeeds in what turns out to be much more than a job interview. Vance uses only 11 pages to present us with another suspenseful, action story with odd characters but it is only mildly interesting. I rated it a 3.
"Man from Zodiac" was first published in 1967 and is a 40 page novella (49 pages in other books). It is also known as "Milton Hack from Zodiac." This is a clever, witty story about a company called Zodiac that offers contracts to bring government and organization to other societies. Milton Hack is their field representative and travels to other planets to try to sell contracts. He also owns 8% of the company. The rest of the company has just been inherited by a brother and sister after their father died. Hack has been screening out applicants to avoid those that are especially problematic and unlikely to meet their financial commitments, but his new boss wants him to sign up anybody. Giving in to pressure, Hack contracts with an especially uncivilized, warring group called the Phrones from Ethelrinda Cordas. The Phrones, however, are not really interested in a government. They just want arms to kill off their enemies, the Sabols. The Sabols in the meantime have signed a contract with a different company that is in competition with Zodiac. Hack is tenacious and clever as he tries to explain that he is there to set up a government, not to provide arms. The story is interesting with many twists. I rated it a 4.
"Golden Girl" was first issued in Marvel Science Stories in 1951. It is a ten page short story about a reporter, Bill Baxter, who becomes famous after he rescues a woman from a wrecked spaceship. The woman, Lurulu, is a remarkably beautiful golden colored human like alien who is sent to a hospital to recover. Baxter tries to protect her from the many reporters, CIA agents and others who want to talk with her or even relocate her. Eventually she is even invited with Baxter to stay at the White House. But fame and world attention cannot offset Lurulu's homesickness, and Baxter becomes increasingly attracted to her. This is a very simple story that should appeal mostly to Vance fans. I rated it a 3.
"Planet Machine" was first published under the title "The Plagian Siphon" in 1951 in Thrilling Wonder Stories. It has also been known as "The Uninhibited Robot" and is a 28 page novelette. Allixter is employed as a computer repairman and is sent by his boss to the planet Rhetus to fix a malfunction computer that is killing those who approach it. He brings along a "Conceptualizer" that warns him of upcoming dangers and analyses situations. Even though this is an early Vance work it is a complex story with an unpredictable plot and underlying intrigue. Vance did revise some of his stories over the years but I purchased the original October 1951 TWS and compared it to the version in this 1986 book and they appear to be identical except for the title change. In addition to Vance fans, this story will probably appeal to science fiction readers in general. I rated it 4.
"Crusade to Maxus" is a 49 page novelette that was first published in 1951 under the title, "Overlords to Maxus." The main character, Dyle Travec, goes to the planet Maxus to try to find his family members who were kidnapped by a slave trader ("slaver") who is taking them to the planet to sell as slaves. The planet has an extensive manufacturing economy that is based on slavery. Travec is hoping he can arrive in time to buy back his mother, two sisters and a brother at the "Slave Distribute" when they are put up for auction. By the time arrives, though, his mother is dead and all of his other family members have been sold. He is able to speak with one of his sisters who asks him to save a friend of theirs who was very helpful and kind on the flight to the planet. Travec is able to do so and then leaves the planet with this friend to track down the "slaver" and kill him for what he has done. Travec does find the slave trader but encounters something he never anticipated. The "slaver" is actually planning a revolution to free all the slaves on Maxus. Can he support this "slaver" after what he did to his family or should he follow through with justifiable revenge? It all becomes pleasantly complicated with self interest, politics and economics each playing a role. Some ethical issues to ponder are also involved. I found the story to be quite engaging and rated it a 4.
"Three Legged Joe" is a 16 page short story that was published initially in 1953 in Startling Stories. This is a story that is pure fun and I can imagine Vance chuckling as he wrote it. Two recent graduates of the Highland Technical Institute plan to go to the planet Odfars to mine heavy metal. When they attempt to hire a highly experienced assistant to accompany them on their prospect trip, nobody will come and they are told to hire Three Legged Joe who lives on Odfars and will find them soon after their arrival. After arrival at Odfars, however, they find out that Joe is a giant humanoid like creature who lives by eating acid and is interested in destroying all of their equipment and perhaps even them. They now realize why nobody would hire on with them and why no mining claims have ever been filed on the planet. Three Legged Joe is a creature who is terribly intrusive, immensely powerful and virtually indestructible. It is all very light hearted and fun in a style unique to Vance. I rated it a 4.
"Sjambak" was originally published in 1953 in If Worlds of Science Fiction. Wilbur Murphy is a reporter from a TV series on Earth called "Know Your Universe!" It has two hundred million viewers, but its ratings have been down, and his boss wants a story that is very sensational. They hear about a planet called Sirgamesk where there is a rumor about horseman who flies through space without a space suit and so Murphy is sent there to film a story. Murphy's interest for something exciting to write about contrasts with the wishes of the sultan who rules the planet. He wants a very conservative report that reflects positively on their society. "We are quiet Mohammedans and indulge in very little festivity." Murphy's boss, in contrast, is insisting on a show that is full of "Sex! Excitement! Mystery!" The Sultan wants his Minister of Propaganda to provide an educational program, "stressing our progressive social attitude, our prosperity and financial prospects." Murphy is more interested in bands of roving bandits, prisoners who are publicly displayed naked in cages, a prince who might be planning jihad, ancient ruins, gamelan players, exotic dancers, and anything else that might increase his show's ratings. I rated it a 3: "Liked it."
"The Augmented Agent is a 32 page novelette that was first published in 1961 in Amazing Stories under the title "I-C-a-BeM." This is another story that is pure fun. James Keith is in a special branch of the CIA where agents are surgically altered (augmented.) Keith's hair consists of, "multi-laminated accumulators." His dentures are "scrambled, condensed, transmitted, received, expanded and unscrambled radio waves of energies almost too low to be detected." Finger nails are "copper-silver alloy, internally connected to the accumulators in his hair" and allow Keith to electrically kill or stun others by touching them with his fingers. Keith has been altered to look identical to an African politician whom he is suppose to dispose of and impersonate. It is James Bond, Monty Python and Jack Vance all tumbled into one story. I really liked it and rated it a 4+.
For the most recent review and other Vance reviews please see:
https://vancealotjackvanceinreview.bl...
"Shape-Up" is an 11 page short story published first in Cosmos Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine in 1953. Our protagonist, Jarvis, reads a classified ad about four high paying positions available as space travelers and decides to apply. When he arrives at the place of interview he notes that many other men are also interested in the jobs. He finds his interview to be especially strange because they seem mostly interested in weight and blood type of the applicants and want to narrow the group down to eight. Jarvis soon finds himself to be under suspicion for past misdeeds in what turns out to be much more than a job interview. Vance uses only 11 pages to present us with another suspenseful, action story with odd characters but it is only mildly interesting. I rated it a 3.
"Man from Zodiac" was first published in 1967 and is a 40 page novella (49 pages in other books). It is also known as "Milton Hack from Zodiac." This is a clever, witty story about a company called Zodiac that offers contracts to bring government and organization to other societies. Milton Hack is their field representative and travels to other planets to try to sell contracts. He also owns 8% of the company. The rest of the company has just been inherited by a brother and sister after their father died. Hack has been screening out applicants to avoid those that are especially problematic and unlikely to meet their financial commitments, but his new boss wants him to sign up anybody. Giving in to pressure, Hack contracts with an especially uncivilized, warring group called the Phrones from Ethelrinda Cordas. The Phrones, however, are not really interested in a government. They just want arms to kill off their enemies, the Sabols. The Sabols in the meantime have signed a contract with a different company that is in competition with Zodiac. Hack is tenacious and clever as he tries to explain that he is there to set up a government, not to provide arms. The story is interesting with many twists. I rated it a 4.
"Golden Girl" was first issued in Marvel Science Stories in 1951. It is a ten page short story about a reporter, Bill Baxter, who becomes famous after he rescues a woman from a wrecked spaceship. The woman, Lurulu, is a remarkably beautiful golden colored human like alien who is sent to a hospital to recover. Baxter tries to protect her from the many reporters, CIA agents and others who want to talk with her or even relocate her. Eventually she is even invited with Baxter to stay at the White House. But fame and world attention cannot offset Lurulu's homesickness, and Baxter becomes increasingly attracted to her. This is a very simple story that should appeal mostly to Vance fans. I rated it a 3.
"Planet Machine" was first published under the title "The Plagian Siphon" in 1951 in Thrilling Wonder Stories. It has also been known as "The Uninhibited Robot" and is a 28 page novelette. Allixter is employed as a computer repairman and is sent by his boss to the planet Rhetus to fix a malfunction computer that is killing those who approach it. He brings along a "Conceptualizer" that warns him of upcoming dangers and analyses situations. Even though this is an early Vance work it is a complex story with an unpredictable plot and underlying intrigue. Vance did revise some of his stories over the years but I purchased the original October 1951 TWS and compared it to the version in this 1986 book and they appear to be identical except for the title change. In addition to Vance fans, this story will probably appeal to science fiction readers in general. I rated it 4.
"Crusade to Maxus" is a 49 page novelette that was first published in 1951 under the title, "Overlords to Maxus." The main character, Dyle Travec, goes to the planet Maxus to try to find his family members who were kidnapped by a slave trader ("slaver") who is taking them to the planet to sell as slaves. The planet has an extensive manufacturing economy that is based on slavery. Travec is hoping he can arrive in time to buy back his mother, two sisters and a brother at the "Slave Distribute" when they are put up for auction. By the time arrives, though, his mother is dead and all of his other family members have been sold. He is able to speak with one of his sisters who asks him to save a friend of theirs who was very helpful and kind on the flight to the planet. Travec is able to do so and then leaves the planet with this friend to track down the "slaver" and kill him for what he has done. Travec does find the slave trader but encounters something he never anticipated. The "slaver" is actually planning a revolution to free all the slaves on Maxus. Can he support this "slaver" after what he did to his family or should he follow through with justifiable revenge? It all becomes pleasantly complicated with self interest, politics and economics each playing a role. Some ethical issues to ponder are also involved. I found the story to be quite engaging and rated it a 4.
"Three Legged Joe" is a 16 page short story that was published initially in 1953 in Startling Stories. This is a story that is pure fun and I can imagine Vance chuckling as he wrote it. Two recent graduates of the Highland Technical Institute plan to go to the planet Odfars to mine heavy metal. When they attempt to hire a highly experienced assistant to accompany them on their prospect trip, nobody will come and they are told to hire Three Legged Joe who lives on Odfars and will find them soon after their arrival. After arrival at Odfars, however, they find out that Joe is a giant humanoid like creature who lives by eating acid and is interested in destroying all of their equipment and perhaps even them. They now realize why nobody would hire on with them and why no mining claims have ever been filed on the planet. Three Legged Joe is a creature who is terribly intrusive, immensely powerful and virtually indestructible. It is all very light hearted and fun in a style unique to Vance. I rated it a 4.
"Sjambak" was originally published in 1953 in If Worlds of Science Fiction. Wilbur Murphy is a reporter from a TV series on Earth called "Know Your Universe!" It has two hundred million viewers, but its ratings have been down, and his boss wants a story that is very sensational. They hear about a planet called Sirgamesk where there is a rumor about horseman who flies through space without a space suit and so Murphy is sent there to film a story. Murphy's interest for something exciting to write about contrasts with the wishes of the sultan who rules the planet. He wants a very conservative report that reflects positively on their society. "We are quiet Mohammedans and indulge in very little festivity." Murphy's boss, in contrast, is insisting on a show that is full of "Sex! Excitement! Mystery!" The Sultan wants his Minister of Propaganda to provide an educational program, "stressing our progressive social attitude, our prosperity and financial prospects." Murphy is more interested in bands of roving bandits, prisoners who are publicly displayed naked in cages, a prince who might be planning jihad, ancient ruins, gamelan players, exotic dancers, and anything else that might increase his show's ratings. I rated it a 3: "Liked it."
"The Augmented Agent is a 32 page novelette that was first published in 1961 in Amazing Stories under the title "I-C-a-BeM." This is another story that is pure fun. James Keith is in a special branch of the CIA where agents are surgically altered (augmented.) Keith's hair consists of, "multi-laminated accumulators." His dentures are "scrambled, condensed, transmitted, received, expanded and unscrambled radio waves of energies almost too low to be detected." Finger nails are "copper-silver alloy, internally connected to the accumulators in his hair" and allow Keith to electrically kill or stun others by touching them with his fingers. Keith has been altered to look identical to an African politician whom he is suppose to dispose of and impersonate. It is James Bond, Monty Python and Jack Vance all tumbled into one story. I really liked it and rated it a 4+.
February 4, 2024
Augmented Agent-Jack Vance, novelette (author’s preferred title)
AKA: I-C-a-BeM
The Augmented Agent is a 32/42 page novelette that was written in 1956 and first published in October, 1961 in Amazing Stories magazine under the title "I-C-a-BeM." This is another story that is pure enjoyment. James Keith is in a special branch of the CIA where agents are surgically altered (augmented). Keith's hair consists of, "multi-laminated accumulators." His dentures are "scrambled, condensed, transmitted, received, expanded and unscrambled radio waves of energies almost too low to be detected." Fingernails are "copper-silver alloy, internally connected to the accumulators in his hair" and allow Keith to electrically kill or stun others by touching them with his fingers. Keith has been altered to look identical to an African politician whom he is supposed to dispose of and impersonate. It is James Bond, Monty Python and Jack Vance all tumbled into one story. I’ve read it multiple times and rate it a 4 “Really liked it”
AKA: I-C-a-BeM
The Augmented Agent is a 32/42 page novelette that was written in 1956 and first published in October, 1961 in Amazing Stories magazine under the title "I-C-a-BeM." This is another story that is pure enjoyment. James Keith is in a special branch of the CIA where agents are surgically altered (augmented). Keith's hair consists of, "multi-laminated accumulators." His dentures are "scrambled, condensed, transmitted, received, expanded and unscrambled radio waves of energies almost too low to be detected." Fingernails are "copper-silver alloy, internally connected to the accumulators in his hair" and allow Keith to electrically kill or stun others by touching them with his fingers. Keith has been altered to look identical to an African politician whom he is supposed to dispose of and impersonate. It is James Bond, Monty Python and Jack Vance all tumbled into one story. I’ve read it multiple times and rate it a 4 “Really liked it”
June 21, 2023
I'm a big Vance fan, in part because of the particular atmosphere that only he can evoke, evident in many of his better known novels and series, e.g. the Demon Princes series. In this varied collection of short stories that atmosphere is not always so present, perhaps because it takes some space to set up. The longer stories such as Crusade on Maxus and Augmented Agent I liked a lot, and the rest was still fine to read.
March 10, 2018
If you're into Vance's style of SF, and particularly if you enjoy the sort of hard-bitten protagonists of
The Demon Princes
or Cugel's Saga, and don't mind the slightly dated feel of the "future" as envisioned from the 1950s, then this will be right up your alley. And if, like me, you enjoy a bit of literary criticism, then the introduction by Steven Godersky will provide some useful analysis of the evolution of Vance's heroic tropes in context.
I must, however, drop one star for "Crusade to Maxus." I have no real qualm in the present era of increasing authoritarianism with illustrative stories set in fascistic slave states; the quantity of Solzhenitsyn, Arendt, Reich and Fromm on my shelves should be evidence enough of that. Nevertheless, while it may have seemed suitably transgressive or predictive at the time of writing, the lands as at least insensitive, if not outright antisemitic, to my more modern, perhaps too-sensitively tuned ears.
On the other hand, "Three-Legged Joe" was a perfectly timed, dryly comedic delight. I still recommend the whole package to those who fit the aforementioned criteria.
I must, however, drop one star for "Crusade to Maxus." I have no real qualm in the present era of increasing authoritarianism with illustrative stories set in fascistic slave states; the quantity of Solzhenitsyn, Arendt, Reich and Fromm on my shelves should be evidence enough of that. Nevertheless, while it may have seemed suitably transgressive or predictive at the time of writing, the lands as at least insensitive, if not outright antisemitic, to my more modern, perhaps too-sensitively tuned ears.
On the other hand, "Three-Legged Joe" was a perfectly timed, dryly comedic delight. I still recommend the whole package to those who fit the aforementioned criteria.
November 1, 2009
I'll start with a disclaimer: Jack Vance is one of my favorite fiction authors, so he's an easy sell. However, this collection is a great example of his skill at weaving evocative language and picaresque situations into highly entertaining short stories. His characters are amusing and charismatic, and like most Vance works, plot is incidental, almost accidental. Probably a good introduction for someone curious to try him -- the stories are short, and so it won't take too long to make up your mind about him. This is definitely a must-have for the serious Vance fan, as I'm not sure these have been republished recently, aside from the Integral Edition which is too pricey for many.
July 18, 2009
Clever and sometimes funny stories. Especially well written. Another easier to find Vance would do as well, I'm sure. Everything of his that I have read passes the internal logic test. A good start for those who have thrown out the SF baby w/ the bathwater, where the SF elements are a device, not a burden.
May 28, 2012
This is a collection of short stories which I have read many times before. Not every story is a classic but they all readable and I like Jack Vance's style.
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