Galactic Peacemaker

by Brian Dillon

On a brutal yet scientifically advanced world called Zargon, the main preoccupation is subjecting other planets to their will. Prince Egan is the son of the violent Sovereign Olad, who despairs of his pacifist views and wonders how Zargon will survive in his young son's hands when he is dead. Arkan, Chief Commander of all Zargon's military forces, also shares the Sovereign's concerns. After the accidental death of Olad, Egan is proclaimed Sovereign, who then seeks to extend the hand of friendship to Zargon's satellite planet Salenia. Arkan then tries to destroy Egan's plans using underhanded methods.

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 6, 2009

About the author

BRIAN DILLON was born in Dublin in 1969. His books include Objects in This Mirror: Essays (Sternberg Press, 2014), Sanctuary (Sternberg Press, 2011), Ruins (MIT Press/Whitechapel Gallery, 2011), Tormented Hope: Nine Hypochondriac Lives (Penguin, 2009) and In the Dark Room (Penguin 2005).

His writing appears regularly in the Guardian, the London Review of Books, the Times Literary Supplement, Artforum and frieze. Dillon is reader in critical writing at the Royal College of Art, and UK editor of Cabinet magazine. He is working on a book about the Great Explosion at Faversham in 1916.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book as it explores the benefits of peaceful resolutions to conflicts; although when we have been wronged our instinct is the "eye for an eye" principle, which of course only ever leads to a nation full of blind people.
It is my belief that the art of communication is the better way, even if it's slower than a gun. In going against our instinct to fight we may find true and loyal friends from former enemies.