Pro

by Gordon R. Dickson

FIRST ACE PRINTING. Oct. 1978 MASS MARKET PAPERBACK, Gordon R. Dickson (Wolf and Iron). Professional... that was Harb Mallard. A hardened pro, able to shift the direction of developing alien cultures any way he needed to, with just a few well-placed punches to the tender spots. The Expansion Service depended on men like Mallard to boost potentially useful planets out of the Dark ages, and they put an even dozen backward worlds into his capable hands. Eleven of them were doing just fine under the supervision of Mallard's subordinates. But the last one needed something extra - the kind of dangerous action that coudl only be risked by a real PRO.cepted their robot-like existence. Either way, the human race was doomed! - Amazon

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

185 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1978

About the author

Gordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author. He was born in Canada, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a teenager. He is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle and the Dragon Knight series. He won three Hugo awards and one Nebula award.

Reviews

[Rodney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a bad book but definitely not one of Gordon R. Dickson’s best. I have read many of his books and have read several multiple times but will probably not read this one again. The illustrations did nothing to improve this book either.

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read with illustrations. Language suitable for young teen perhaps. Quite enjoyable, but ending was too abrupt and the denouement wasn't believable.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an illustrated science fiction novel which were briefly popular in the late 1970s.

The book itself is closer to novella length padded with a huge number of illustrations. Unfortunately, the illustrations aren’t particularly good and are more of a distraction than anything else.

This novel is a poor example of Dickson’s writing, and I have no doubt that there are readers out where who read Pro and never came back to Gordon R. Dickson. That’s a shame because he really is a solid writer in my experience.

The bones of an interesting story are present, but this reads like a first draft. Thank heaven for the twist ending which almost made Pro worth finishing.

I don’t have much more to say about this book other than advising you to avoid it. I’m a little bit annoyed with myself for picking this book to read first out of a stack of Dickson novels I bought via eBay. At least it was short.

[Al "Tank" · Rating 3 out of 5]

A self-centered "pro", more interested in his own advancement than helping the alien natives of the planet. Not afraid to get people killed in the processes. Not up to Dickson's normal yarn.

[Philip Athans · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE example of an entirely unlikable protagonist--if you can even call him a PROtagonist.

[Kevin Downer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast and enjoyable. Viking like alien culture being groomed by a Pro "cultur builder." Read it and find out who the real Pro is.

[SciFiOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade C+.

[Peri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining story. I think I might have liked it less but for the great illustrations. I would say if you like Gordon R. Dickson it's worth the quick read.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a short story with many pictures than a novel, this is an interesting tale of a spaceman living with primitives, with a very unexpected and not very plausible twist.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun read about forcibly advancing a primitive race with a twist.....