（外文电子版资料）John Christopher - Weapon.pdf

WEAPON John Christopher This is a shock-treatment story, its warning much more familiar these days than when it was first published in 1950, yet its effectiveness undiminished thanks to the special ingenuity and skilfulness of the treatment. In recent years, science fictions thoughts on the possibilities of the nuclear age have become noticeably more devious; sf is, after all, a genre one of whose largest preoccupations is the deliberate denial of commonplaces. It seldom, however, denies them beyond reason - for even a clichi may sometimes be true. What it can and does do - as here - is give a rational generally-accepted view new plausibility by means of a wholly fresh imaginative approach. I suppose they thought they had to have one representative of the Army along; possibly I got the invitation because I was once reported as saying that not all politicians were stupid and corrupt. I went on to say that in my view those that were not stupid were corrupt and vice versa , but that part was left out. Anyway, there I stood, on a bright spring morning, an island of brass entirely surrounded by civilians. It was easy to tell the politicians from the scientists. It was a scientists occasion; the politicians, for once, looked abashed. Professor Norwood, who had a reputation that even I could be expected to have heard of, called us to order. Gentlemen, he said, and - he smiled towards me -General Sands, before we go next door I think it may be as well to say a few words. You all have some idea of the importance of our meeting here, and some of my colleagues, of course, know more about the actual work than I do, but there will be others - another friendly smile for the general - who are