The Adventurer

by C.M. Kornbluth

For every evil under the sun, there's an answer. It may be a simple, direct answer; it may be one that takes years, and seems unrelated to the problem. But there's an answer--of a kind....
President Folsom XXIV said petulantly to his Secretary of the "Blow me to hell, Bannister, if I understood a single word of that. Why can't I buy the Nicolaides Collection? And don't start with the rediscount and the Series W business again. Just tell me why."
The Secretary of the Treasury said with an air of apprehension and a thread-like feeling across his "It boils down to--no money, Mr. President."

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Literature

Nook

First published May 1, 1953

About the author

Cyril M. Kornbluth grew up in Inwood in New York City. As a teenager, he became a member of the Futurians, the influential group of science fiction fans and writers. While a member of the Futurians, he met and became friends with Isaac Asimov, Frederik Pohl, Donald A. Wollheim, Robert A. W. Lowndes, and his future wife Mary Byers. He also participated in the Fantasy Amateur Press Association.

Kornbluth served in the US Army during World War II (European Theatre). He received a Bronze Star for his service in the Battle of the Bulge, where he served as a member of a heavy machine gun crew. Upon his discharge, he returned to finish his education, which had been interrupted by the war, at the University of Chicago. While living in Chicago he also worked at Trans-Radio Press, a news wire service. In 1951 he started writing full time, returning to the East Coast where he collaborated on a number of novels with his old Futurian friends Frederik Pohl and Judith Merril (as Cyril Judd).

He used a variety of pen-names: Cecil Corwin, S. D. Gottesman, Edward J. Bellin, Kenneth Falconer, Walter C. Davies, Simon Eisner, Jordan Park, Arthur Cooke, Paul Dennis Lavond and Scott Mariner.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles van Buren

TOP 1000 REVIEWER

4.0 out of 5 stars A story of a bleak future

July 5, 2019

Format: Kindle Edition

Review of free Kindle edition
A Public Domain Book
Publication date: March 24, 2011
Language: English
ASIN: B004TQHCB6

"For every evil under the sun, there's an answer. It may be a simple, direct answer; it may be one that takes years, and seems unrelated to the problem. But there's an answer—of a kind...." , introductory paragraph.

Sci-fi short story of a bleak world and solar system divided between a republic with a hereditary president/dictator and the Soviet. Both dysfunctional tyrannies which are revolution proof...almost.

First published in SPACE SCIENCE FICTION, May, 1953. This free Kindle edition had no illustrations.

[Zac Stojcevski · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can’t always get what you want. I would have liked this short story to have lasted a little longer, alas it is what it is. Nicely crafted futuristic politico drama - kind of like a prequel to the West Wing a century hence. Or is it a reveal behind the Wizard of Oz’s curtain outside of present day Kansas?

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful entertaining listening 🔰😉

Another will written fantasy Sci-Fi adventures thriller short story by C. M. Kornbluth about the world 🌎 where the next President is the President son. And then along came a man 🚹 who is going to change things. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶as I do because of eye damage.😕👑💼 2022

[Ralph McEwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot with a good twist at the end. Told in narrative and conversational styles.
The narrators voice is clear and easy to listen to. He is a good story teller, with lots of experience.
The recording quality is clear (no background noise), it has plenty of volume and the editing technique is seamless.
I listen to these short stories while walking to and from work.

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

1984, with Caligula.

[Donald Solan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lacks Character Detail

The author could have expanded the characters personalities. I would have appreciated more background and development of the circumstances surrounding the action.

[Katrina McCollough · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another classic Kornbluth short story, about how to deal with tyrants, one way or another... Not his best, but still worth the quick read.