The Earth War

The Earth War, Mack Reynolds, Pyramid Books, 1963

In the middle of the next century, America has become a very caste- and occupation-conscious society. To keep the Cold War, now institutionalized as the Frigid Fracas, from destroying all of humanity, all weapons developed after 1900 are banned. Fracases, all of which are now televised, are now restricted to battles between unions and corporations. The fracases, along with large supplies of tranquilizers, are intended as the newest version of bread and circuses; everyone gets a lifetime pension from the date of birth, so something is needed to keep them occupied and quiet.

This is the story of Major Joe Mauser, a rising star in Category Military, about the only category where caste-jumping is possible. Joe feels his star isn't rising fast enough, so Freddy Solingen, from Category Communications, shows Joe how to get his name and face before the public. Joe has fallen for an Upper caste woman named Nadine Haer, so a more equal caste status is needed.

The future social speculation is by far the best part of this book. This is a short, easy to read story that actually has a few things to say.