The Answer

by H. Beam Piper

In the recent past, a mysterious explosion in New York plunged the world into war. But two scientists remain convinced that that "attack" was not what it appeared to be. In The Answer, they devise an ingenious test to settle the question once and for all.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction

ebook

First published December 1, 1959

About the author

Henry Beam Piper was an American science fiction author. He wrote many short stories and several novels. He is best known for his extensive Terro-Human Future History series of stories and a shorter series of "Paratime" alternate history tales.

Reviews

[Chris Aldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/20 29 mins. Part of LibriVox Audiobook “Short SF Collection Vol. 059 and 002”. Fairly well narrated by Dan Grozinski. Another story symptomatic of the Cold War, ironically that is resurfacing in March 2018 here in the UK. I found it okay - as a reminder of the risks of misunderstandings - but now we have really smart leaders like the inscrutable Dr Putin, marvellous Madame May and that utterly unspeakable genius Prof. Trump. So we’re all safe as (sub-prime) houses ....right?

[Todd Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short science fiction story based around nuclear war and how presumptions can often be dangerous. Good sci fi ending.

[SciFiOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

2019 Grade B

A nicely written short story with good characters about the accidental discovery of how WW3 started when neither the Russians or Americans could figure it out. It was predictable though.

Kindle Mega-pack

[Richie Kercenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most obvious moralistic message of the tale is probably the dangers of assumptions and hasty decisions. But what stands out above all other details is the undeniable possibility of having an alien race out there, stronger and more developed than both Russians or Americans in the tale. And that all this species had to do was to send one single missile to earth, and let its occupants destroy themselves in a global war prompted by suspicion and pride. That alone points to the mental deficiencies and inadequacies of a race that thinks of itself as indestructible.

[Joseph Carrabis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely written (for its day) late Golden Age post nuclear apocalypse who-done-it story. As with many books from that era, excellent editing (ah yes, back when there were professional editors trained as such rather than simply declaring themselves such), and as also with many books from that era, some of the crafting gets in the way. The Answer is about fifty years old as I write this and is an excellent example of how crafting has changed (I won't claim it's matured) during that time. Some of the techniques of the day seem heavy-handed now, almost awkward. It might fall into an editor's backup pile (if an issue or anthology is a story short, use it), and still a worthwhile read.

[Rafael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo empecé por curiosidad, por una referencia a la negamateria que aparece en una aventura de rol, y no ha estado mal

Es un cuento corto, típico de la época más intensa de la guerra fría y en el que se reflejan el miedo al conflicto nuclear. No obstante, es una lectura interesante y fácil por su longitud

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy listening 🔰

Due to eye issues and damage Alexa reads to me. Another will written fantasy Sci-Fi adventure novella by H. Beam best with interesting characters. Two scientists argue about a bomb that could not be and then the answer. I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 📚 021 ⏳🗽

[Phil Giunta · Rating 3 out of 5]

While testing a new negative matter missile, an American and Russian physicist are reminded of a nuclear war that occurred between their countries 15 years prior, which Russia instigated by firing a single missile at the US, or did they? The Russian scientist denies it and as it turns out, he might be right. So if it wasn't the Russians, who was it?

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was alright, not great though. Sci fi short stories often leave you wanting much more exposition or backstory, and this one was no different. While one mystery was "solved" by the end, it really only asked more questions. Maybe I'll come across another one of his stories that references the events of this story, but I'm a little limited since I'm just reading whatever is in the public domain at the moment.

[Jessica George · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was alright, well written.

[Timothy Morrison]

He had been thinking lately about why he wondered so much about the auburn bomb! A mystery of what we thought would come of the cold war, other than civil war

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Available as part of the Gutenberg Project: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/18342...

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Answer, H. Beam Piper
Asking the right questions can shake things up a bit. Who started the war? - misunderstands and assumptions. ***

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

solid science fiction story.

[Jim Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like it that much. It seemed to be a very convoluted way to determine where the first strike that started the nuclear war came from. In the story only one person made the connection and told it to one other person who happened to be from the side that had originally been the enemy. These two people had pretty much decided already that neither of their governments were responsible for the first strike which dampened the impact of learning the truth. Other than the fact that it turned out that a catastrophic nuclear war had been started by something that was actually a natural cause from outer space I didn't feel any great moral revelation and I don't think I would have felt much different if I had read it in the 60's as a teenager or the 70's as a young adult. Even if I try to assume reading it as an adult in 1959 I think as a SF fan I would have been aware of the danger presented by MAD and wouldn't have been surprised or impressed with a story that described a nuclear war started by accident under that scenario

[Ruskoley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee Richardson and Alexis Pitov, two nuclear scientists, are participating in a thermonuclear test involving a rocket and negamatter. The test is decidedly not a test to develop into weapons-grade materials. However, Pitov and Richardson cannot help but consider the fate of Auburn, NY fifteen years ago when the nuclear event shocked the world. It had to be the Soviets. But the Soviets thought it was the Americans. Maybe it was the Australians? This new experimental test provides the answer.

[Zemmiphobe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't think this was such a good short story. It was a bit too short and left a lot of unanswered questions. Even the big question to which the story is named after isn't really answered. They end with a implication that it must be ____, but there is not real proof and quite a few other possibilities. Overall, this story failed to pull itself together. It seems like an idea someone didn't work to hard on.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Product Description

The Answer is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by H. Beam Piper is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of H. Beam Piper then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting, if slightly disturbing short sci-fi story looking at some of the worst parts of human nature.

[Sean Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite simply the danger of jumping to Conclusions!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1969, an atomic war between the United States and the Soviet Union devastated the entire Northern Hemisphere. Fifteen years later, it becomes a subject of obvious concern.