Direct Descent

by Frank Herbert

Paperback, 1988

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Genres

Science Fiction

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

SF & F

Publication

Ace (1988), Mass Market Paperback, 2 pages

Description

Earth has become a library planet over the last several thousand years, a bastion of useful and useless knowledge-history, science, politics-gathered by 'pack rats' who scour the galaxy for any scrap of information. Knowledge is power, knowledge is wealth, and knowledge can be a weapon. As powerful dictators come and go, the cadre of dedicated librarians is sworn to obey the lawful government-and use their wits to protect the treasure trove of knowledge they have collected over the millennia.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Prop2gether

This novel by Frank Herbert is one I have probably read years ago, when I went on a Frank Herbert reading craze, but, if so, I have forgotten the entire thing. Basically Earth is a shell of a planet in the distant future, a collection of all known information about anything—it is the universe’s

total library. The novel is in two sections, both dealing with direct threats to shut down the library, and how the directors must follow the first law for the library: obey the government’s instructions. The writing may be dated for some, but I like Herbert a lot, and it was fine by me. Also—how can you miss too hard when you are trying to save a library?

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LibraryThing member Kevin678

Interesting story well told

LibraryThing member Karlstar

I really liked this illustrated version. Otherwise, this is just a variation on Asimov's Foundation. In the far, far future, Earth is a giant galactic library repository. On two occasions, the government arrives to shut it down - but the library Code is 'always cooperate with the government'. How

to avoid being shut down by ignorant despots while obeying them? The librarians will find a way! This is two short novellas that have the same setting. The ending to the second is strangely convenient and relies on accounting and super-insta-preordained love.

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