A Matter of Order by Fox B. Holden

"A Matter of Order" by Fox B. Holden is a science fiction narrative written during the mid-20th century. The story explores themes of artistic integrity and the philosophical implications of technological progress as a colony of artists on the planet Ste. Catherine encounters three desperate men from Earth seeking their help amid a catastrophic war. This encounter ignites discussions about balance, society, and the very nature of humanity as the inhabitants of Ste. Catherine contemplate the implications of assisting their technologically advanced counterparts. In the story, the protagonist Angelo, the Dean of Masters, along with his fellow artists Tharn, Maler, Ghezi, and Ojar, greet the Earthmen as they arrive in a sleek, unfamiliar spacecraft. The Earthmen reveal their dire situation: a war on Earth has reached a stalemate threatening humanity's survival. Seeking the unique talent of the Artists, they request assistance in crafting propaganda to gain an advantage. Amidst the lighthearted banter and philosophical debates between the characters, the narrative highlights the tension between art and politics, and the characters grapple with their decision to help, underscoring the underlying principles of order, balance, and the essence of true creativity in a world increasingly reliant on technology. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Holden, Fox B., 1923-1973
Illustrator Finlay, Virgil, 1914-1971
Title A Matter of Order
Series Title Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, August 1956
Credits Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net
Reading Level Reading ease score: 72.9 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Science fiction
Subject Short stories
Subject Space colonies -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 59504
Release Date
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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