A Slave Is a Slave
H. Beam Piper
Read by Phil Chenevert
The Galactic Empire is slowly 'welcoming' into the family of civilized worlds those systems so far off in the backwater of the galaxy that they have been overlooked and ignored for the past 500 years or so. This is purely routine work because every planet offered the chance has eagerly accepted the invitation. Mainly because the enlightened Empire lets the planetary government continue to rule and do whatever it wants...with a few minor restrictions of course; and because the they are shown what happens to planets who decide not to accept the invitation.
Aditya is the system in question here. Forgotten for almost a millennium but surviving, thank you very much, with an economy based entirely on slavery. Everyone is a slave except for the few thousand Lords Master. What happens when the this type of society meets the Constitution of the Galactic Empire which forbids any type of slavery? What happens when the poor, oppressed slaves are given their freedom? Funny you should ask ....
(2 hr 27 min)
Chapters
01 | 14:20 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
02 | 14:30 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
03 | 13:56 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
04 | 16:10 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
05 | 11:59 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
06 | 13:27 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
07 | 13:44 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
08 | 17:55 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
09 | 14:43 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
10 | 16:27 | Read by Phil Chenevert |
Reviews
Phil is the man...
Mark Warlick
I love to listen to Phil, even though he caint say can't.
This has been an interesting one!
Jason S.
The premise behind the story is interesting... and so is the reader! As someone from Southeast Texas, I can recognize a Cajun when I hear him. It's nice to hear a narrator from my part of the world :-)
Well read, a clumsy tale
Akku
H. Beam Piper sometimes likes to use a story to explore his thoughts on sociology, politics and so on. This is an entirely valid thing to do although it comes across clumsy and a bit cliché like n this work. It starts off with me hating all the characters but it picks up and settles into a fair tale by about chapter 3 so stick with it if you find the start hard going. The reader’s style suits this book well and makes it enjoyable.
great short listen
Pratfo
Was very intrigued with the concept and how it was expanded upon. (pretty much just a meld between the space empire from invincible (the way they annex everything) and total wars empire)
Another good story
mikezane
But some might find it offensive. It does remind me of the Roman Antonius Felix and how he treated those under him. Reader did an excellent job.
Good but..
A. Rawson
Nicely read. I didn't enjoy the story as much as the Little Fuzzy series. Worth a listen but not a favorite from Piper.
darthlaurel
Not as coherent as some hbp but still a great example of how human nature reacts. All the cocktail drinking cracked me up.
Boo Achee
I thought this was a most enjoyable tongue in cheek statement about several forms of government that exist in our modern society.