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The Empire of Isher #2
The Weapon Makers
Following the success of the stories that formed The Weapon Shops of Isher, van Vogt wrote the novel, The Weapon Makers, in 1943, to enlarge the story of human immortality, the conflict between a controlling government, The House of Isher, the mysterious Weapon Shops and man's place in the universe.
The promise of the Weapon Shops' slogan, The Right to Buy Weapons is the Right to Be Free, is described thus:
"Many of these weapons still carried the old names. “Guns” they were called, or “revolvers,” or “rifles,” but there the resemblance ended. These “guns” did not shoot bullets, they discharged energy in many forms and quantities. Some of them could kill or destroy at a thousand miles if necessary, and yet they were controlled by the same sensitive elements as the Weapon Shop door. Just as the door refused to open for police officers, Imperial soldiers or people unfriendly to the Shops, so these guns had been set to fire only in self-defense, and against certain animals during open season.
They also had other special qualities, particularly as to defense and speed of operation."
The promise of the Weapon Shops' slogan, The Right to Buy Weapons is the Right to Be Free, is described thus:
"Many of these weapons still carried the old names. “Guns” they were called, or “revolvers,” or “rifles,” but there the resemblance ended. These “guns” did not shoot bullets, they discharged energy in many forms and quantities. Some of them could kill or destroy at a thousand miles if necessary, and yet they were controlled by the same sensitive elements as the Weapon Shop door. Just as the door refused to open for police officers, Imperial soldiers or people unfriendly to the Shops, so these guns had been set to fire only in self-defense, and against certain animals during open season.
They also had other special qualities, particularly as to defense and speed of operation."
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1947
83 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read
About the author
A.E. van Vogt
646 books459 followersAlfred Elton van Vogt was a Canadian-born science fiction author regarded by some as one of the most popular and complex science fiction writers of the mid-twentieth century—the "Golden Age" of the genre.
van Vogt was born to Russian Mennonite family. Until he was four years old, van Vogt and his family spoke only a dialect of Low German in the home.
He began his writing career with 'true story' romances, but then moved to writing science fiction, a field he identified with. His first story was Black Destroyer, that appeared as the front cover story for the July 1939 edtion of the popular "Astounding Science Fiction" magazine.
van Vogt was born to Russian Mennonite family. Until he was four years old, van Vogt and his family spoke only a dialect of Low German in the home.
He began his writing career with 'true story' romances, but then moved to writing science fiction, a field he identified with. His first story was Black Destroyer, that appeared as the front cover story for the July 1939 edtion of the popular "Astounding Science Fiction" magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 25, 2018
Oh gosh, this was so nearly 5 stars, around a 4.4 ⭐️ I suppose.
The book commences where The Weapon Shops of Isher left off and we are thrown straight away into the intricacies of a “war between” the weapon shops and the Empress. It is space opera at its best especially when you throw
Both this book and its predecessor are relatively short which is such a shame as the storyline is excellent and the main characters are enthralling. I think it is this relative shortness that stops me giving it 5 stars.
Oh one other point worth mentioning is that it is nicely set up for another sequel, but as far a I'm aware he never did, anyone know ??
I mentioned in my review of TWSoI that I once went on a van Vogt reading marathon and this excellent book has tempted me even more to do that very soon. Hmm the 3 books of Null A ??? Now what vV books do I have ????
The book commences where The Weapon Shops of Isher left off and we are thrown straight away into the intricacies of a “war between” the weapon shops and the Empress. It is space opera at its best especially when you throw
Both this book and its predecessor are relatively short which is such a shame as the storyline is excellent and the main characters are enthralling. I think it is this relative shortness that stops me giving it 5 stars.
Oh one other point worth mentioning is that it is nicely set up for another sequel, but as far a I'm aware he never did, anyone know ??
I mentioned in my review of TWSoI that I once went on a van Vogt reading marathon and this excellent book has tempted me even more to do that very soon. Hmm the 3 books of Null A ??? Now what vV books do I have ????
August 12, 2019
3.5 stars. Review first posted on Fantasy Literature:
The Weapon Makers, a 1943 SF novel currently nominated for a 1944 Retro Hugo award, is the sequel to the better-known The Weapon Shops of Isher. As discussed in my review of The Weapon Shops of Isher, A.E. van Vogt was fond of creating fix-up novels based on his earlier works, and the creation and publication history of both of these novels in his EMPIRE OF ISHER duology is complicated. The Weapon Shops of Isher, was published in its final form in 1951, several years after The Weapon Makers, but The Weapon Makers is set several years after The Weapon Shops of Isher,. It may help to keep in mind that about half of The Weapon Shops of Isher, comes from two short stories published in 1941 and 1942. For its part, The Weapon Makers was first published in serialized form in Astounding magazine in 1943, then printed in book form in 1947, then substantially revised by van Vogt and republished in 1952. (This publication history makes my head spin.) I think it’s advisable to read The Weapon Shops of Isher, first, so you’re grounded in the world of the Empire of Isher, but it’s not strictly necessary, plot-wise.
At any rate, this story begins about seven years after the events in The Weapon Shops of Isher, (we know this because the Empress Innelda, who was 25 years old in the first book, is now 32). One of the weapon shop organization’s executives, Robert Hedrock, has been a spy in the Empress’ palace for the past six months. Hedrock is Earth’s only immortal man, a secret he’s never told anyone. He’s about 2500 years old but looks like a man in his prime.
One of Hedrock’s secret weapons is a “spy ray” machine, and using it he finds out that the Empress ― who’s treated him very favorably in the past six months ― has just ordered him to be arrested after their lunch in a few hours and then immediately hanged. Despite the personal danger, Hedrock decides to stay in the palace and try to brazen it out. It works, at least partially, but it seems a lucky break for Hedrock when a weapon shop carplane whisks him away from the palace after lunch.
It’s not actually so lucky, though: the High Council of Weapon Makers, a group of thirty men who run the weapon shops organization, has convened to put him on trial on the spot. Hedrock is under grave suspicion because the Council has realized that he’s not the person they originally believed him to be. Their sentence is immediate death, and that sentence is a lot more dangerous coming from the Weapon Makers than from the Empress.
From here Hedrock plunges into a dizzying series of adventures, including trying to save the world’s first and only interstellar spaceship, which the Empress is intent on destroying to protect her regime; first contact with an alien race, which has questionable intentions toward humanity; avoiding capture by the Weapon Makers; stomping around the country in giant form (seriously!); and a little bit of time travel. The plot is definitely imaginative but rather disjointed. Van Vogt claimed that many of his story ideas came from his dreams (during his active writing years he reportedly would wake every ninety minutes to write down ideas from his dreams), and after reading The Weapon Makers, I believe it.
Empress Innelda is a strong-willed, vividly-drawn character here and in The Weapon Shops of Isher,, but makes some odd choices in this book regarding love, marriage and motherhood. This development was probably generally satisfying to readers when this book was published 65 or 75 years ago, but (though I’m all for marriage and parenthood) the way she acts seems quite out of character. For their part, the weapon shop personnel in this story are far less altruistic than they seemed in the first book, and more inclined to take offensive action against perceived threats like Hedrock and the Empress, but that plot development makes much more sense and works well.
Van Vogt found some fascinating ways to work time travel into the plots of his EMPIRE OF ISHER books, but the science in The Weapon Makers ― spy rays! A countless variety of rings for Hedrock’s fingers that allow him to teleport and do other incredible stunts! Aliens with amazing mind-over-matter powers! ― is definitely of the handwavy, soft science variety. This is an imaginative novel with an intricate plot, but it doesn’t cohere as well, or impress me as much, as The Weapon Shops of Isher,. It’s worth reading, though, if you enjoyed the first book.
The Weapon Makers, a 1943 SF novel currently nominated for a 1944 Retro Hugo award, is the sequel to the better-known The Weapon Shops of Isher. As discussed in my review of The Weapon Shops of Isher, A.E. van Vogt was fond of creating fix-up novels based on his earlier works, and the creation and publication history of both of these novels in his EMPIRE OF ISHER duology is complicated. The Weapon Shops of Isher, was published in its final form in 1951, several years after The Weapon Makers, but The Weapon Makers is set several years after The Weapon Shops of Isher,. It may help to keep in mind that about half of The Weapon Shops of Isher, comes from two short stories published in 1941 and 1942. For its part, The Weapon Makers was first published in serialized form in Astounding magazine in 1943, then printed in book form in 1947, then substantially revised by van Vogt and republished in 1952. (This publication history makes my head spin.) I think it’s advisable to read The Weapon Shops of Isher, first, so you’re grounded in the world of the Empire of Isher, but it’s not strictly necessary, plot-wise.
At any rate, this story begins about seven years after the events in The Weapon Shops of Isher, (we know this because the Empress Innelda, who was 25 years old in the first book, is now 32). One of the weapon shop organization’s executives, Robert Hedrock, has been a spy in the Empress’ palace for the past six months. Hedrock is Earth’s only immortal man, a secret he’s never told anyone. He’s about 2500 years old but looks like a man in his prime.
One of Hedrock’s secret weapons is a “spy ray” machine, and using it he finds out that the Empress ― who’s treated him very favorably in the past six months ― has just ordered him to be arrested after their lunch in a few hours and then immediately hanged. Despite the personal danger, Hedrock decides to stay in the palace and try to brazen it out. It works, at least partially, but it seems a lucky break for Hedrock when a weapon shop carplane whisks him away from the palace after lunch.
It’s not actually so lucky, though: the High Council of Weapon Makers, a group of thirty men who run the weapon shops organization, has convened to put him on trial on the spot. Hedrock is under grave suspicion because the Council has realized that he’s not the person they originally believed him to be. Their sentence is immediate death, and that sentence is a lot more dangerous coming from the Weapon Makers than from the Empress.
From here Hedrock plunges into a dizzying series of adventures, including trying to save the world’s first and only interstellar spaceship, which the Empress is intent on destroying to protect her regime; first contact with an alien race, which has questionable intentions toward humanity; avoiding capture by the Weapon Makers; stomping around the country in giant form (seriously!); and a little bit of time travel. The plot is definitely imaginative but rather disjointed. Van Vogt claimed that many of his story ideas came from his dreams (during his active writing years he reportedly would wake every ninety minutes to write down ideas from his dreams), and after reading The Weapon Makers, I believe it.
Empress Innelda is a strong-willed, vividly-drawn character here and in The Weapon Shops of Isher,, but makes some odd choices in this book regarding love, marriage and motherhood. This development was probably generally satisfying to readers when this book was published 65 or 75 years ago, but (though I’m all for marriage and parenthood) the way she acts seems quite out of character. For their part, the weapon shop personnel in this story are far less altruistic than they seemed in the first book, and more inclined to take offensive action against perceived threats like Hedrock and the Empress, but that plot development makes much more sense and works well.
Van Vogt found some fascinating ways to work time travel into the plots of his EMPIRE OF ISHER books, but the science in The Weapon Makers ― spy rays! A countless variety of rings for Hedrock’s fingers that allow him to teleport and do other incredible stunts! Aliens with amazing mind-over-matter powers! ― is definitely of the handwavy, soft science variety. This is an imaginative novel with an intricate plot, but it doesn’t cohere as well, or impress me as much, as The Weapon Shops of Isher,. It’s worth reading, though, if you enjoyed the first book.
March 22, 2017
Добре де, защо се издава направо втора книга от поредица? Дори първата да не е била някакво невероятно фантастично преживяване, не е ли редно читателят сам да си прецени?
„Оръжейните майстори” е доста типичен за автора роман. Ван Вогг ни хвърля направо в дълбок, изцяло обмислен и изграден свят, стъпил на няколко допуска, в случая, техническо развитие, деспотична монархия и Оръжейните магазини, коитопревъзхождат империята технически и действат като балансиращо звено за обикновените хора, произвеждайки достъпни за всеки оръжия, стрелящи само при самозащита. Отново имаме един свръхчовек, който за щастие се води от филантропски подбуди и гледа никоя от страните да не придобие преимущество. Когато междузвездния двигател е изобретен, обаче, балансът на силите сериозно се разстройва, а намесата на свръхинтелигентна извънземна раса съвсем обърква сметките.
На целия този фон имаме изпълнено с динамика приключение с доста обрати и нездравословно смели решения.
Много любим автор, отдавна изместил Кларк от челната ми тройка класически фантасти.
„Оръжейните майстори” е доста типичен за автора роман. Ван Вогг ни хвърля направо в дълбок, изцяло обмислен и изграден свят, стъпил на няколко допуска, в случая, техническо развитие, деспотична монархия и Оръжейните магазини, коитопревъзхождат империята технически и действат като балансиращо звено за обикновените хора, произвеждайки достъпни за всеки оръжия, стрелящи само при самозащита. Отново имаме един свръхчовек, който за щастие се води от филантропски подбуди и гледа никоя от страните да не придобие преимущество. Когато междузвездния двигател е изобретен, обаче, балансът на силите сериозно се разстройва, а намесата на свръхинтелигентна извънземна раса съвсем обърква сметките.
На целия този фон имаме изпълнено с динамика приключение с доста обрати и нездравословно смели решения.
Много любим автор, отдавна изместил Кларк от челната ми тройка класически фантасти.
December 4, 2018
I first read " The Weapon Shop of Isher", found it typically "van-weird" a few years ago and have finally got to the sequel... Even "van- weirderer". But that is why I love to read van! For the weirdness. This does not disappoint. It's weird. And I loved it-but found it hard to accept as normal scifi - cause it's not.
The spider thing was very cool.
The spider thing was very cool.
June 26, 2020
Втората част на дилогията за Ишерската империя! Публикуван е четири години преди предисторията си ("Weapon Shops of Isher") - през 1947-а и определно е по-доброто произведение от двете. Във връзка с годината на издаване, на едно конкретно място във втората половина на романа има поредица разсъждения, които бас ловя, че са авторовите относно употребата на атомни бомби, но леко преправени, че да се впишат в сетинга. Макар и да не е бил на фронта (заради кофти зрение), е бил чиновник в канадското министерство на отбраната, преди да напусне, за да се посвети на писането.
Тук главният герой е кукловодът от предишната (в сюжетна хронология) книга и бета-версия на бог - Робърт Хедрок. В тази книга читателят може да вникне по-сериозно във вътрешния му свят, докато той се опитва да предотврати тотална война между оръжейните магазини и армията на императрица Инелда. Случват се достатъчно обрати и изненади, за да огранича описанието на сюжета само до това. :)
Ван Вогт не е от технократите във фантастиката, които толкова обичам. Той не задълбава в научна прогностика, а само щрихира санитарния минимум.
Към края на произведението, за поне мое съжаление, е използван широко застъпения в излязлата по-късно предистория похват, в който се споменава резултатът от събития, които са описани в детайл по-късно.
В заключение: доста добра фантастика, а като вземем предвид, че е толкова стара - уау! 4,5
Тук главният герой е кукловодът от предишната (в сюжетна хронология) книга и бета-версия на бог - Робърт Хедрок. В тази книга читателят може да вникне по-сериозно във вътрешния му свят, докато той се опитва да предотврати тотална война между оръжейните магазини и армията на императрица Инелда. Случват се достатъчно обрати и изненади, за да огранича описанието на сюжета само до това. :)
Ван Вогт не е от технократите във фантастиката, които толкова обичам. Той не задълбава в научна прогностика, а само щрихира санитарния минимум.
Към края на произведението, за поне мое съжаление, е използван широко застъпения в излязлата по-късно предистория похват, в който се споменава резултатът от събития, които са описани в детайл по-късно.
В заключение: доста добра фантастика, а като вземем предвид, че е толкова стара - уау! 4,5
June 24, 2018
You just have to love alien spiders.
(Read this gosh knows how many years ago. I need to scour the used book store and get reacquainted.)
(Read this gosh knows how many years ago. I need to scour the used book store and get reacquainted.)
March 1, 2014
My husband has raved about the Weapon Shops books for decades. A popular article on the ways in which technology might help reduce gun violence finally motivated him to dig his 1943 paperback edition out of the boxes in the attic and share it with me.
Van Vogt wrote what I consider to be one of the best science fiction short stories I've ever read ("A Can of Paint"), so I had high expectations of this novel. Unfortunately, they weren't entirely realized.
The book offers some inspired ideas. An empire whose absolute power spans the solar system is kept in check by the existence of the Weapon Shops, purveyors of irresistible energy weapons that are tuned to their owners and can be fired only in self defense. Only ordinary citizens may purchase these weapons; the doors to the shops will not open to police and Imperial soldiers. Hence a delicate but peaceful balance has reigned for more than four millenia, between the powers of the Empire and the individual.
The invention of an interstellar drive threatens this balance, and only one man can stop the worlds of the empire from crumbling into devastating war. Robert Hedrock is not just any man, but an immortal, with intimate relationships to both centers of power. However, both the Empress and the shadowy organization behind the weapon shops believe he is a traitor. Both forces strive to destroy the only man who can save them.
This excellent premise, enhanced by many clever details, is spoiled by the absence of any limits on Hedrock's powers. I have the same complaint about some paranormal books. When magic (or in this case, technology) can do anything, I lose interest, because the outcomes become totally predictable. Indeed my favorite type of sci fi posits one single societal or technological change, and then explores its effects. This book is exactly the opposite, full of spy rays, matter transmitters, devices that temporarily turn rats or men into giants, and more.
I also found the style to be rather wooden. Most of the emotion (such as there was) feels flat and one dimensional. Furthermore, I sometimes had to read the convoluted sentences two or three times before I could figure out the intended meaning.
Van Vogt's treatment of sex particularly annoyed me - namely, the fact that he couldn't even bring himself to mention it. One of the main characters becomes pregnant after a few hours with Hedrock. Hard to imagine how, given what we're told.
On the other hand, this book has a fabulous alien encounter sequence, in the reaches of deep space. The aliens have the ability to enter Hedrock's mind and twist his perceptions. His attempts to understand and utilize their modes of thought as weapons against them were perhaps the most convincing aspects of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed The Weapon Makers, but I also found it deeply flawed. It is usually considered a product of science fiction's golden age. To me, it felt immature, far less rich and subtle than many more modern novels.
Van Vogt wrote what I consider to be one of the best science fiction short stories I've ever read ("A Can of Paint"), so I had high expectations of this novel. Unfortunately, they weren't entirely realized.
The book offers some inspired ideas. An empire whose absolute power spans the solar system is kept in check by the existence of the Weapon Shops, purveyors of irresistible energy weapons that are tuned to their owners and can be fired only in self defense. Only ordinary citizens may purchase these weapons; the doors to the shops will not open to police and Imperial soldiers. Hence a delicate but peaceful balance has reigned for more than four millenia, between the powers of the Empire and the individual.
The invention of an interstellar drive threatens this balance, and only one man can stop the worlds of the empire from crumbling into devastating war. Robert Hedrock is not just any man, but an immortal, with intimate relationships to both centers of power. However, both the Empress and the shadowy organization behind the weapon shops believe he is a traitor. Both forces strive to destroy the only man who can save them.
This excellent premise, enhanced by many clever details, is spoiled by the absence of any limits on Hedrock's powers. I have the same complaint about some paranormal books. When magic (or in this case, technology) can do anything, I lose interest, because the outcomes become totally predictable. Indeed my favorite type of sci fi posits one single societal or technological change, and then explores its effects. This book is exactly the opposite, full of spy rays, matter transmitters, devices that temporarily turn rats or men into giants, and more.
I also found the style to be rather wooden. Most of the emotion (such as there was) feels flat and one dimensional. Furthermore, I sometimes had to read the convoluted sentences two or three times before I could figure out the intended meaning.
Van Vogt's treatment of sex particularly annoyed me - namely, the fact that he couldn't even bring himself to mention it. One of the main characters becomes pregnant after a few hours with Hedrock. Hard to imagine how, given what we're told.
On the other hand, this book has a fabulous alien encounter sequence, in the reaches of deep space. The aliens have the ability to enter Hedrock's mind and twist his perceptions. His attempts to understand and utilize their modes of thought as weapons against them were perhaps the most convincing aspects of the book.
Overall, I enjoyed The Weapon Makers, but I also found it deeply flawed. It is usually considered a product of science fiction's golden age. To me, it felt immature, far less rich and subtle than many more modern novels.
July 22, 2019
First, I would like to note that this is a review of the 1947 version, which takes the text (more or less) verbatim from the original 1943 magazine publication. I spot-checked the start and end of every chapter and several dozen other random lines and found only one with a few words of variation. All subsequent publications (starting in the 1950s) use a substantially revised text that collapses the two protagonists of the original version into one super-protagonist.
...second, what the fuck did I just read?
...second, what the fuck did I just read?
May 18, 2014
A. E. Van Vogt was a science fiction writer who dealt with BIG ISSUES in his works. He was not so good with creating real human characters; his words do not soar. Here, we have a book that features the Weapon Makers as a check on the empire. The balance between the two forces prevents the empire from overwhelming human freedom. Here, we see relations among several key characters, the Empress Innelda, Captain Hedrock, Prince del Curtin.
November 30, 2009
PLOT:
Humanity has spread throughout the solar system, but they can't venture farther, so over the centuries the House of Isher has governed...make that controlled, mankind. In opposition to them stood the Weapon Makers, who sell common citizens weapons whose design baffles imperial scientists. The weapons can only be used in self-defense, but they effectively hold the Empire's power in check. The Weapon Shops go beyond guns to other dazzling technology (I especially liked the Rings they could activate - reminded me of the way phones were used in the Matrix).
Our protagonist is Robert Hedrock, whom the Empress tries to assassinate and then whom the Weapon Makers rescue...only to put him on trial for sharing their secrets with the Empress. Hedrock's on the run for most of the book, working to keep both sides occupied while he schemes bigger schemes. Turns out that he is immortal who has been a consort to the last 13 Empresses while also being a central player among the Weapon Makers. He's been keeping them in balance, playing for time while he waits for two technologies to end this power struggle. An interstellar drive has been invented by the Empire and he's trying to expose their secret. He's also taken it upon himself to understand how he became immortal and release this innovation to benefit mankind. Of course, both organizations want to maintain the status quo, so Hedrock works alone to create a richer and more level playing field.
COMMENTS:
This is a pretty good book. For a story from 1946, it has really held up. Several things could have been the central crux of the book:
- Hedrock's immortality, concealed by clever diguises and alibis
- conflict between the Empire, the Weapon Shops and Hedrock
- Spider creatures evaluating humanity (e.g. telepathic bond between twins)
- Conflict with other star systems because of the interstellar drive
...but the book doesn't focus on any one of them; it tries to focus on all of them. This leaves the plot a bit leaky; don't expect all the loose ends to be tied up at the end. But I'll forgive that because it's his second book its good elements offset the bad.
I was bewildered by a few story developments and at times felt I was being yanked around so Van Vogt could slide in a new idea, but I think this I'm using a 21st century lens. If I instead imagined what impressed a reader in the 1940s, it would be the volume of awe-inspiring ideas and settings. By that measure, this book makes a nice melange in which the reader can lose themselves for a while.
Humanity has spread throughout the solar system, but they can't venture farther, so over the centuries the House of Isher has governed...make that controlled, mankind. In opposition to them stood the Weapon Makers, who sell common citizens weapons whose design baffles imperial scientists. The weapons can only be used in self-defense, but they effectively hold the Empire's power in check. The Weapon Shops go beyond guns to other dazzling technology (I especially liked the Rings they could activate - reminded me of the way phones were used in the Matrix).
Our protagonist is Robert Hedrock, whom the Empress tries to assassinate and then whom the Weapon Makers rescue...only to put him on trial for sharing their secrets with the Empress. Hedrock's on the run for most of the book, working to keep both sides occupied while he schemes bigger schemes. Turns out that he is immortal who has been a consort to the last 13 Empresses while also being a central player among the Weapon Makers. He's been keeping them in balance, playing for time while he waits for two technologies to end this power struggle. An interstellar drive has been invented by the Empire and he's trying to expose their secret. He's also taken it upon himself to understand how he became immortal and release this innovation to benefit mankind. Of course, both organizations want to maintain the status quo, so Hedrock works alone to create a richer and more level playing field.
COMMENTS:
This is a pretty good book. For a story from 1946, it has really held up. Several things could have been the central crux of the book:
- Hedrock's immortality, concealed by clever diguises and alibis
- conflict between the Empire, the Weapon Shops and Hedrock
- Spider creatures evaluating humanity (e.g. telepathic bond between twins)
- Conflict with other star systems because of the interstellar drive
...but the book doesn't focus on any one of them; it tries to focus on all of them. This leaves the plot a bit leaky; don't expect all the loose ends to be tied up at the end. But I'll forgive that because it's his second book its good elements offset the bad.
I was bewildered by a few story developments and at times felt I was being yanked around so Van Vogt could slide in a new idea, but I think this I'm using a 21st century lens. If I instead imagined what impressed a reader in the 1940s, it would be the volume of awe-inspiring ideas and settings. By that measure, this book makes a nice melange in which the reader can lose themselves for a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2019
Very good follow on to The Weapons Shop of Isher. Especially interesting to see a lot more of the mysterious Immortal man from the first book and learn some of the history behind the founding of the weapons shops and the Isher empire. Plus we are introduced to a race of intellectually and technologically superior intergalactic spider aliens. Can't beat that. Yet, all the crazy twists and turns, the characters' weird reasoning and decision making processes and the intuitive leaps required to follow the plot and shape it into something cohesive ultimately resulted in the story failing to come together for me.
November 17, 2009
This story takes place aprox. 7 years after the Weapons Shops of Isher. I again give 4 rather than 5 simply because it's not quite as readable as some by Van Vogt.
July 15, 2015
Really odd book, kind of loses the plot a bit at the end, but up to that point is at least interesting.
August 14, 2025
A 3.5/5 for me. It's written quite well, there are a number of small lines that are very profound. That said at times it feels like it gets a little too lost in its gadgets and gizmos and it makes it hard to feel like anything has any meaning. Most situations Hedrock finds himself in are solved by his cleverness, but also a random piece of technology that conveniently does exactly what he needs. Obviously some of this makes sense given his IQ is high and he's immortal, but at times it feels like the wool has been pulled over your eyes. Short and engaging all things considered though. A number of twists that change earlier moments in the story with the knowledge you gain.
August 1, 2025
Wow. What can I say about this book? The first book, The Weapon Shops of Isher, created the premise of Weapon Shops as a political counterbalance to the imperial regime. It was also a means for correcting injustice. In this book, we find out that the Weapon Shops, like the Empire, can not be trusted with the power they wield. And so, to quote a Star Trek title, "Who watches the watchers?" The book starts out as a thriller looking to answer this question, but it makes an abrupt left turn halfway through. It then becomes "Who watches the watcher of the watchers?" It will either leave your head spinning or contemplating the universe and the nature of Man. For me, it was closer to the latter. Good stuff.
5 out of 5.
5 out of 5.
November 30, 2023
+ interesting characters
- starts slowly, not gripping from the get-go
+ gets better as it goes on
The world is interesting, but the story itself isn't as good as The Weapon Shops of Isher in the same universe. This book was written later than that one, but the events take place some years earlier. This means there is a question as to what order is best to read them in, and I'm not sure: for me, this book took a while to get going, so it helps to have prior investment in the universe.
- starts slowly, not gripping from the get-go
+ gets better as it goes on
The world is interesting, but the story itself isn't as good as The Weapon Shops of Isher in the same universe. This book was written later than that one, but the events take place some years earlier. This means there is a question as to what order is best to read them in, and I'm not sure: for me, this book took a while to get going, so it helps to have prior investment in the universe.
July 10, 2014
Society has changed, and through genetic manipulation, the central character headlock is immortal. He cares about society and wants to make it better. So, he executes a long range plan to make society better. His plan stretches over hundreds of years. Why not? He’s immortal.
Something I loved about this book is all the technology the author used to flesh out the story. Everything from matter transmitters to warp drive. From a science fiction historical perspective... Keep in mind this is 1943 when it was published. I think thats pretty awesome of van Vogt and I'm going to make sure I read all his stories.
Old School Sci-Fi Nut!
Something I loved about this book is all the technology the author used to flesh out the story. Everything from matter transmitters to warp drive. From a science fiction historical perspective... Keep in mind this is 1943 when it was published. I think thats pretty awesome of van Vogt and I'm going to make sure I read all his stories.
Old School Sci-Fi Nut!
May 12, 2022
Intriguing in the way that "Golden Age" Sci-Fi usually is. A lot of interesting ideas, some very clunky execution. To add to that, van Vogt was no scientist, and it really shows at times. One character encounters an advanced civilization of spiders, who bear little resemblance to Tchaikovsky's, but nevertheless predate him by some 70 years. We also have an early glimpse of "Dark Forest Theory" a la Liu Cixin (again with the spiders).
I recommend this book by one of the lesser regarded "Golden Age" writers. His ideas and style were influential for writers such as Phillip K. Dick.
I recommend this book by one of the lesser regarded "Golden Age" writers. His ideas and style were influential for writers such as Phillip K. Dick.
July 14, 2021
Not as good as the first book, it's kind of a direct sequel, but the plot gets lost along the way. There are manipulations and machinations to keep track of, an enemy that literally comes from out of nowhere, and increasingly unlikely solutions to the even more unlikely plot points. There isn't a really clear through line to hang onto here, which makes it frustrating for me as a reader.
March 13, 2022
I mean, why is it always spiders?
It was kind of weird. Weird in a good way, but not particularly easy to follow so I don't think I would recommend it as a light read. But I enjoyed it. Some grand sci fi concepts
It was kind of weird. Weird in a good way, but not particularly easy to follow so I don't think I would recommend it as a light read. But I enjoyed it. Some grand sci fi concepts
March 30, 2022
It would have been better without the left field spider aliens.
April 21, 2022
The right to buy weapons is the right to be free
If you are not an American who supports gun ownership rights then you might find this slogan as disquieting as I found it, but bear with me as I try to explain how van Vogt though this would work out for the best of people. In this novel, van Vogt builds a world where all humans live under one empire ruled by princess Innelda who comes from a long line of rulers (i.e., The Isher house). The weapon shops were created as an organization that would help stabilize the political system by ensuring that the government is not overturned, but also that it does not gain full control over its citizens. In order to achieve this goal, the weapon shops sell weapons to those citizens who want to use them in self-defense. van Vogt makes it extremely clear that the weapons cannot be used by those who want to hurt others and that their sole purpose is to provide citizens with protection against governmental power, although it is never presented explicitly in the story how this would actually work. Instead the plot focuses on Innelda's attempts to prevent the technology that would allow humans to travel very fast in the known universe from getting to the public. Basically, she feels that if humans were given the means to travel to other planets they would settle there, form their own empires and then start a war against Earth thus destroying the political balance which has been maintained for centuries. While the novel does present some interesting ideas about that combine libertarianism with monarchy (of course this go together only as a result of a mastermind who set it all up because in reality there could never be a combination of the two), for much of the story we get to watch a sort of James Bond type of character narrowly escaping death, playing mind tricks with all the beings in the universe (there are aliens in here just so you know), and bringing up new and increasingly dumbfounding devices that he uses in order to basically control what is happening throughout the entire plot. While this was enjoyable for a while, by the end it got to be a little bit too much (how many McGuffins can one take in one sitting?) and I grew tired of the story even though it is rather short. Yes, Hedrock's character is quite compelling in the beginning, but after you discover just how much he is capable of doing he becomes the sort of overpowered character that you can't help but despise because you know that everything will turn out well for him in the end (quite like a Gary Stu). And the interesting parts about the worldbuilding are never really addressed because we basically just follow Mr. Gary Stu around and never learn how ordinary citizens live and how they use the weapons so freely made available to them. For what I know, there could be mayhem in society, they could be living under an oppressive regime in spite of that so much advertised freedom generated through the existence of the weapon shops. I gave this three stars because I liked the beginning and because by the end I was left with a wtf feeling that is still with me and probably will remain with me for a while. Btw, I have to say that I haven't read the first novel in the series so if some of the aspects which I complained about are addressed in that one, then my bad. Take my review with a grain of salt. I know that van Vogt has been a highly controversial sf writer and that his political views were contested, so maybe I am contributing a little bit to that, but bear in mind that this was the first book I've read from him and it is possible in the future for me to revisit this review.
If you are not an American who supports gun ownership rights then you might find this slogan as disquieting as I found it, but bear with me as I try to explain how van Vogt though this would work out for the best of people. In this novel, van Vogt builds a world where all humans live under one empire ruled by princess Innelda who comes from a long line of rulers (i.e., The Isher house). The weapon shops were created as an organization that would help stabilize the political system by ensuring that the government is not overturned, but also that it does not gain full control over its citizens. In order to achieve this goal, the weapon shops sell weapons to those citizens who want to use them in self-defense. van Vogt makes it extremely clear that the weapons cannot be used by those who want to hurt others and that their sole purpose is to provide citizens with protection against governmental power, although it is never presented explicitly in the story how this would actually work. Instead the plot focuses on Innelda's attempts to prevent the technology that would allow humans to travel very fast in the known universe from getting to the public. Basically, she feels that if humans were given the means to travel to other planets they would settle there, form their own empires and then start a war against Earth thus destroying the political balance which has been maintained for centuries. While the novel does present some interesting ideas about that combine libertarianism with monarchy (of course this go together only as a result of a mastermind who set it all up because in reality there could never be a combination of the two), for much of the story we get to watch a sort of James Bond type of character narrowly escaping death, playing mind tricks with all the beings in the universe (there are aliens in here just so you know), and bringing up new and increasingly dumbfounding devices that he uses in order to basically control what is happening throughout the entire plot. While this was enjoyable for a while, by the end it got to be a little bit too much (how many McGuffins can one take in one sitting?) and I grew tired of the story even though it is rather short. Yes, Hedrock's character is quite compelling in the beginning, but after you discover just how much he is capable of doing he becomes the sort of overpowered character that you can't help but despise because you know that everything will turn out well for him in the end (quite like a Gary Stu). And the interesting parts about the worldbuilding are never really addressed because we basically just follow Mr. Gary Stu around and never learn how ordinary citizens live and how they use the weapons so freely made available to them. For what I know, there could be mayhem in society, they could be living under an oppressive regime in spite of that so much advertised freedom generated through the existence of the weapon shops. I gave this three stars because I liked the beginning and because by the end I was left with a wtf feeling that is still with me and probably will remain with me for a while. Btw, I have to say that I haven't read the first novel in the series so if some of the aspects which I complained about are addressed in that one, then my bad. Take my review with a grain of salt. I know that van Vogt has been a highly controversial sf writer and that his political views were contested, so maybe I am contributing a little bit to that, but bear in mind that this was the first book I've read from him and it is possible in the future for me to revisit this review.
January 8, 2019
Two thousand years in the future, the solar system is united under the monarchy of the Isher family. To keep the government in check and ensure against tyranny, a guild known as the Weapon Shops has for generations provided technologically advanced arms to the citizens and maintained a close watch on imperial affairs. Naturally, this arrangement often sets guild and government at odds with one another.
The situation reaches a boiling point when Empress Innelda learns of a Weapon Shop spy among her court in the form of Captain Robert Hedrock. When the captain learns that Innelda plans to execute him, Hedrock mounts a bold and public defense, which results in his temporary expulsion from the palace. However, Hedrock learns that Innelda is concealing the existence of an interstellar drive from the Weapons Shops and the public in the hopes of bolstering Isher supremacy.
On this way out of the palace, Hedrock is arrested by officers of the Weapons Shops on the charge of subterfuge against the guild! He is brought before the council and interrogated about his mysterious background. When his answers fail to satisfy them, the councilmen order his execution. After mounting yet another daring escape, Hedrock sets out to reveal Innelda’s clandestine project to the world—an adventure which pits him against criminal elements on Earth and bizarre telepathic aliens in interstellar space…
A sequel to The Weapon Shops of Isher, The Weapon Makers begins as a fast-paced tale of intrigue that occasionally waxes melodramatic and, late in the plot, veers off course into ethereal concepts and bombastic language that feel contrived, especially during Hedrock’s encounters with the telepathic aliens. The story is a mélange of fantasy and science fiction that doesn’t always mesh well. Nevertheless, Van Vogt’s reputation as a master of imaginative fiction remains intact.
The situation reaches a boiling point when Empress Innelda learns of a Weapon Shop spy among her court in the form of Captain Robert Hedrock. When the captain learns that Innelda plans to execute him, Hedrock mounts a bold and public defense, which results in his temporary expulsion from the palace. However, Hedrock learns that Innelda is concealing the existence of an interstellar drive from the Weapons Shops and the public in the hopes of bolstering Isher supremacy.
On this way out of the palace, Hedrock is arrested by officers of the Weapons Shops on the charge of subterfuge against the guild! He is brought before the council and interrogated about his mysterious background. When his answers fail to satisfy them, the councilmen order his execution. After mounting yet another daring escape, Hedrock sets out to reveal Innelda’s clandestine project to the world—an adventure which pits him against criminal elements on Earth and bizarre telepathic aliens in interstellar space…
A sequel to The Weapon Shops of Isher, The Weapon Makers begins as a fast-paced tale of intrigue that occasionally waxes melodramatic and, late in the plot, veers off course into ethereal concepts and bombastic language that feel contrived, especially during Hedrock’s encounters with the telepathic aliens. The story is a mélange of fantasy and science fiction that doesn’t always mesh well. Nevertheless, Van Vogt’s reputation as a master of imaginative fiction remains intact.
May 6, 2019
First published in Astounding Science-Fiction, February-April 1943; I read the Pocket Books paperback edition published in February, 1979 (190 pages).
This is a sprawling space opera featuring Robert Hedrock, an immortal superman who has secretly guided history for thousands of years. Here, he is playing both sides of a titanic conflict between two powers--the Empress Innelda's Imperial Isher Dynasty and the technologically superior Weapon Shops. In the process he is captured by some spider-like aliens who are observing humanity's emotional responses from afar. Hedrock jumps from one dire circumstance to another, using his advanced technology and superb experience and training to get himself out of jams, while trying to avert all-out war between the two human factions and an alien invasion. Much of it doesn't make a lot of sense, but there are loads of nifty ideas thrown against the wall to see what sticks. The ending is wrapped up a bit quickly and neatly, and definitely leaves room for sequels (although I don't think van Vogt ever wrote more about this universe). Some modern readers may object to van Vogt's pro-gun stance, but the book clearly outlines why defensive weapons are sometimes necessary and demonstrates their usefulness. One technological advance that van Vogt posits is that weapons in this universe are essentially keyed to their owners so as to reduce unlawful or unintended use; an idea that our present society would greatly benefit from if enacted.
This is a sprawling space opera featuring Robert Hedrock, an immortal superman who has secretly guided history for thousands of years. Here, he is playing both sides of a titanic conflict between two powers--the Empress Innelda's Imperial Isher Dynasty and the technologically superior Weapon Shops. In the process he is captured by some spider-like aliens who are observing humanity's emotional responses from afar. Hedrock jumps from one dire circumstance to another, using his advanced technology and superb experience and training to get himself out of jams, while trying to avert all-out war between the two human factions and an alien invasion. Much of it doesn't make a lot of sense, but there are loads of nifty ideas thrown against the wall to see what sticks. The ending is wrapped up a bit quickly and neatly, and definitely leaves room for sequels (although I don't think van Vogt ever wrote more about this universe). Some modern readers may object to van Vogt's pro-gun stance, but the book clearly outlines why defensive weapons are sometimes necessary and demonstrates their usefulness. One technological advance that van Vogt posits is that weapons in this universe are essentially keyed to their owners so as to reduce unlawful or unintended use; an idea that our present society would greatly benefit from if enacted.
April 6, 2021
Hedrock aproape că uitase de raza spion. Ea continua să strălucească, imaginea de pe ecran arătând la fel de limpede ca întotdeauna sala imperială de conferinţe. Mai erau oameni care se aplecau jos de tot, asupra mâinii tinerei cu faţa rece aşezată pe scaunul ca un tron şi sunetele glasurilor lor se auzeau desluşit. Totul era aşa cum trebuia să fie.
Dar Hedrock îşi pierduse orice interes pentru sala aceea de protocol, pentru scena de curte. Cuvintele îngheţate ale tinerei i se învârteau mereu prin minte, deşi trecuseră câteva minute bune de când le rostise.
— În împrejurările de faţă, spusese ea, nu ne putem îngădui luxul de a ne mai lua şi alte riscuri cu acest trădător de la Arsenale. Ceea ce s-a întâmplat până acum este mult prea important. Drept care, domnule General Grall, ca măsură de precauţie pur şi simplu, îl veţi spânzura. Înlănţuirea în timp a lucrurilor este importantă. Ca de obicei, va prânzi la masa mea, întrucât doresc să asist personal la execuţie.
— Prea bine, Maiestate…
Hedrock se mişca fără astâmpăr înainte şi înapoi în faţa aparatului său video. Până la urmă se holbă din nou la ecran, care, în actuala sa formă materializată, ocupa in întregime colţul apartamentului. Conştient de situaţia sumbră, văzu că tânăra este încă în sala de consiliu, dar a rămas singură. Şedea cu un vag zâmbet pe faţa ei prelungă. Zâmbetul i se istovi când atinse un instrument aflat pe scaunul ei şi începu să dicteze cu glas limpede, ca de clopot.
Dar Hedrock îşi pierduse orice interes pentru sala aceea de protocol, pentru scena de curte. Cuvintele îngheţate ale tinerei i se învârteau mereu prin minte, deşi trecuseră câteva minute bune de când le rostise.
— În împrejurările de faţă, spusese ea, nu ne putem îngădui luxul de a ne mai lua şi alte riscuri cu acest trădător de la Arsenale. Ceea ce s-a întâmplat până acum este mult prea important. Drept care, domnule General Grall, ca măsură de precauţie pur şi simplu, îl veţi spânzura. Înlănţuirea în timp a lucrurilor este importantă. Ca de obicei, va prânzi la masa mea, întrucât doresc să asist personal la execuţie.
— Prea bine, Maiestate…
Hedrock se mişca fără astâmpăr înainte şi înapoi în faţa aparatului său video. Până la urmă se holbă din nou la ecran, care, în actuala sa formă materializată, ocupa in întregime colţul apartamentului. Conştient de situaţia sumbră, văzu că tânăra este încă în sala de consiliu, dar a rămas singură. Şedea cu un vag zâmbet pe faţa ei prelungă. Zâmbetul i se istovi când atinse un instrument aflat pe scaunul ei şi începu să dicteze cu glas limpede, ca de clopot.
December 1, 2018
A. E. Van Vogt originally serialized The Weapon Makers for Astounding Science Fiction in 1943. He revised extensively the story in 1947 and then again in 1952. It is this latter version that is being reviewed here. Van Vogt plays loose with science - especially the laws of physics. At the time, Damon Knight was his harshest critic both conceptually and stylistically. The criticism was unjust, and Van Vogt became the 14th Grand Master of Science Fiction Writers Association - a laurel justly deserved.
This story involves an immortal man who seems to be acting as a balancer between the empire and the politically uninvolved weapon makers. But things are never as they seem. The novel has several cliffhangers that bespeak of its original serialized structure. Van Vogt continually introduces new players to further complicate the story - right up to the very end of the novel when its fulfillment ends in a surprising, stunning, yet wholly satisfying way. Purists may decry his use of new creations to resolve seemingly impossible situations, but Van Vogt uses these methods to sustain interest and to propel his plots. It is better to accept an alternative science, but failing that, good fantasy also works. Entertaining and fast-paced. His work still holds up nicely 75 years after its creation.
This story involves an immortal man who seems to be acting as a balancer between the empire and the politically uninvolved weapon makers. But things are never as they seem. The novel has several cliffhangers that bespeak of its original serialized structure. Van Vogt continually introduces new players to further complicate the story - right up to the very end of the novel when its fulfillment ends in a surprising, stunning, yet wholly satisfying way. Purists may decry his use of new creations to resolve seemingly impossible situations, but Van Vogt uses these methods to sustain interest and to propel his plots. It is better to accept an alternative science, but failing that, good fantasy also works. Entertaining and fast-paced. His work still holds up nicely 75 years after its creation.
July 27, 2022
A friend recently gave me access to his collection of ebooks, it included a lot of science fiction, some contemporary and some from the 'Golden Age'; chuck them all into Calibre and out pops A E van Vogt at the head of the list. I read this decades ago and, somehow, it failed to make any impression on me or I wouldn't have put myself though it again. Clunky, grating, disjointed are adjectives that come quickly to mind, quite why some think his name should be mentioned in the same breath as Clarke, Asimov and Heinlein totally escapes me. I don't doubt he had great imagination but the path from grey matter to printed page has resulted in a rather incoherent output.
I read somewhere that you should read one of his books, any one, tick the box and move on; this seems like sound advice, which I will take.
I read somewhere that you should read one of his books, any one, tick the box and move on; this seems like sound advice, which I will take.
August 7, 2020
Call this a three-and-a-half. It’s burdened (or blessed) with the pulp fiction approach of ‘Made up science.’ There’s no need to build on established (or even tentative) theory - just make up some new terms that sound ‘science-y’ and move on. On the other hand, the reason the author needs that kind of tool is because he’s constructed a setting that is/was so far beyond what his contemporaries dreamt of.
Like much of Van Vogt’s work, it falls somewhere in the transition between pulp fiction and contemporary sci-fi. He was one of the authors who showed the way to something better for the genre and his is one of the milestones he left us. It’s a classic and worth the read for it’s window into sci-fi’s past.
Like much of Van Vogt’s work, it falls somewhere in the transition between pulp fiction and contemporary sci-fi. He was one of the authors who showed the way to something better for the genre and his is one of the milestones he left us. It’s a classic and worth the read for it’s window into sci-fi’s past.
March 13, 2021
This is the long version of the Weapons Shops story. Entertaining as a form of “Classic” SciFi tropes, it tried to pack too many strange things into one tale to be totally satisfying. It did at least complete a full story arc instead of intentionally trying to set off a longer series as too many do today. I like a series that develops naturally from reader interest, not those in which the author sets out to write the next “epic” with more concern their cash flow than the art expected. This one is not a “must read”, but it is well-written and entertaining.
December 13, 2018
Mi primera incursión en el mundo de A.E. Van Vogt me ha dejado un poco a medias. La trama política y de palacio me ha interesado más bien poco. Por contra me he quedado con ganas de más en lo referente a otros aspectos mucho más importantes que el autor desarrolla con demasiada brevedad. Quizás el segundo libro me aclare algo pero lo cierto es que este volumen me ha dejado un cierto regusto amargo y una sensación de vacío. Me ha entretenido y punto. Por ello le doy tres estrellas peladas.
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