The Silicon Dagger

by Jack Williamson

The murder of his reporter brother leads Clay Barstow to a small Kentucky town, where he uncovers a deadly conspiracy involving a new technology of extraordinary and deadly power and finds himself hunted by a murderous local militia out to declare independence from the United States of America

Genres: Science Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

John Stewart Williamson who wrote as Jack Williamson (and occasionally under the pseudonym Will Stewart) was a U.S. writer often referred to as the "Dean of Science Fiction".

Reviews

[Steve Rainwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fascinating on several levels. Jack Williamson published his first story in 1928 and usually when I read one of his stories, it's vintage pulp science fiction. So it's a shock to read a modern Jack Williamson novel, with 300 pages, modern characters and ideas, and high quality writing skills. Published in 1999, this book is his take on the cyberpunk genre popular in the 80s and 90s. Rather than present it as the usual blur of reality and cyberspace, the story plays out entirely in back water McAdam County, Kentucky, filled with simple people, racist militias, an abortion-clinic-bombing evangelist, and libertarian rebels. There's also an assortment of corrupt county officials, several undercover FBI agents, and a mercenary or two wandering around. To top off the bizarre assortment of characters, there's a computer genius, Rob Roy, whose company has invented an unbreakable encryption system for mobile phones as well as an electronic weapon called the silicon shell.

Our protagonist is Clayton Barstow, who goes to McAdam county to find the killer of his half-brother. Barstow is recruited by the FBI, tangles with the militia, and is soon in the middle of a local power struggle to control Rob Roy's silicon shell. The weapon is activated, creating an impenetrable shield over the entire county. But who will control it? And will the winners create a libertarian utopia, a fundamentalist theocracy, or a base from which the crazed militia can overthrow the United States government?

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a competent SF novel by long time SF pro Jack Williamson. It is competently told and does raise some interesting questions and ideas.

How do you balance freedom? Too much--anarchy; too little---Big Brother. The ideas and discussions Williamson has paint a good picture of some of the conflicts in our society today.

If the citizens of MCAdam City can use the "silicon dagger" technology to seperate themselves from (undue?) government interference, will it be a good thing for them...or not?

The characters are lightly drawn but acceptable; the main focus of this book is the idea. I really like that Williamson leaves the book open-ended. The reader must ponder and draw their own conclusions.

NOt a lot of slam bang action; more an interesting comcept about--what if....?

I would recommend this books to any science-fiction reader age 15 or older (younger readers might be a bit bored in spots). Also, seriously, anyone interested in political science might give this a try.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masterful thriller pitting the United States against the forces in one small town.

[T.j. Swain]

This book i actually read in Junior high.. i enjoyed it. i was a big fan of thriller/action novels back then, not much else though...but this is a nice little book you can go through and sense enjoyment.

[Caleb Hunsicker · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorite books of all time!!!

[Ray Gardener · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good exploration of what would happen if a part of the southern US actually managed to secede.