The Defenders
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Philip K. Dick
Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928–1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly, as well as television's The Man in the High Castle. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and between 2007 and 2009, the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.
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A Scanner Darkly Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Man in the High Castle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Can Build You Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Crack in Space Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lies, Inc. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Simulacra Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Penultimate Truth Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Cosmic Puppets Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ubik Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Time Out Of Joint Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Solar Lottery Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Our Friends From Frolix 8 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The World Jones Made Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Clans Of The Alphane Moon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Selected Stories Of Philip K. Dick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Confessions Of A Crap Artist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dr. Futurity Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Deus Irae Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Eye In The Sky Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Best of Philip K. Dick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Man Who Japed Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
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Reviews for The Defenders
41 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Interesting premise and overall a Philip K. Dick book. Not of his best caliber but a fun read non the less.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is the second Philip K. Dick story I've read and I have to say that it was a great read. I wasn't expecting such a difference from the post-apocalyptic/robotic future type story that this was. I'm looking forward to diving further into Dick's stories that I have loaded up on my Kindle and iPod (audiobooks).
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5As a commentary on power, “The Defenders” is fascinating and complex. The leadies have no real power over the humans. Due to their programming they cannot harm the humans who reach the surface. They put on a good show however and are capable of threats, but not real violence. Their power depends only on deception and the use of media. They destroy model cities and project the images of destruction down to the bunkers. If “The Defenders” is Dick’s vision of the extent of political power, he is strikingly optimistic about the weakness of states and their reliance of informal sources of power, such as ideology and mass media. Good short read.
Book preview
The Defenders - Philip K. Dick
THE DEFENDERS
By
PHILIP K. DICK
This edition published by Dreamscape Media LLC, 2018
www.dreamscapeab.com * info@dreamscapeab.com
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dreamscapeAbout Philip K. Dick:
Philip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928 – March 2, 1982) was an American writer known for his influential work in science fiction. His work explored philosophical, social, and political themes, with stories dominated by monopolistic corporations, alternative universes, authoritarian governments, and altered states of consciousness. His writing also reflected his interest in metaphysics and theology, and often drew upon his life experiences in addressing the nature of reality, identity, drug abuse, schizophrenia, and transcendental experiences.
Born in Illinois, he eventually moved to California and began publishing science fiction stories in the 1950s. His stories initially found little commercial success. His 1962 alternative history novel The Man in the High Castle earned Dick early acclaim, including a Hugo Award for Best Novel. He followed with science fiction novels such as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) and Ubik (1969). His 1974 novel Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best novel. Following a series of religious experiences in February–March 1974, Dick's work engaged more explicitly with issues of theology, philosophy, and the nature of reality, as in such novels as A Scanner Darkly (1977) and VALIS (1981). A collection of his non-fiction writing on these themes was published posthumously as The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick (2011). He died in 1982, at age 53, due to complications from a stroke.
Dick's writing produced 44 published novels and approximately 121 short stories, most of which appeared in science fiction magazines during his lifetime. A variety of popular films based on Dick's works have been produced, including Blade Runner (1982), Total Recall (adapted twice: in 1990 and in 2012), Minority Report (2002), A Scanner Darkly (2006), and The Adjustment Bureau (2011). In 2005, Time named Ubik one of the hundred greatest English-language novels published since 1923. In 2007, Dick became the first science fiction writer to be included in The Library of America series.
Source: Wikipedia
The Defenders
No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war
—perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves!
TAYLOR sat back in his chair reading the morning newspaper. The warm kitchen and the smell of coffee blended with the comfort of not having to go to work. This was his Rest Period, the first for a long time, and he was glad of it. He folded the second section back, sighing with contentment.
What is it?
Mary said, from the stove.
They pasted Moscow again last night.
Taylor nodded his head in approval. Gave it a real pounding. One of those R-H bombs. It's about time.
He nodded again, feeling the full comfort of the kitchen, the presence of his