Agent of Chaos

by Norman Spinrad

Book Overview

First published in the 1960s, Spinrad was one of the first writers to perceive the totalitarian implications of the cradle-to-grave welfare state. But at the same time he was too organically a radical ever to be confused with a conservative. Result: "Agent of Chaos!"

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0531150720
• ISBN13: 9780531150726
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Franklin Watts
• Length: 179 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of the greatest books I had ever read.

When I was only thirteen I think my Father handed this book to me to read. This book is an early work of SF that takes place in a dystopian future. The book itself touches on the nature of power and freedom. Though I don't agree with Spinrad's ideas entirely, his book contains ideas about individualism that resonate even today. This book has been a major influence on my thoughts and beliefs and the story is still remembered by me to this day. I would suggest this to anyone who has some time on their hands.

Chaos is Not Entropy

Only a few of the previous reviews for this obscure old sci-fi chestnut really tackle its actual themes and points of view. This was Spinrad's second novel and he was still a few releases away from wide recognition, but here he shows some real ambition and creativity. While the book does get a little full of itself at times, and the rather wooden characters show the golden age sci-fi weakness of talking way too much, Spinrad spun a surprisingly unique and effective political focus into an otherwise typical little space opera. The story revolves around a quite fascinating philosophy of chaos as the natural state of the universe (and its inhabitants), with the order imposed by leaders as antithetical to the destiny of mankind. It's a rather anarchist political outlook presented in cosmological terms. Spinrad does well with this premise, plotting out some intricate political shenanigans as three different parties exploit each other while trying to impose their vision of humanity, with dueling strategies for creating order or chaos. In the process, Spinrad delivers some insightful ruminations on power, tyranny, and freedom - and what those seemingly cut-and-dried terms mean on a cosmic scale. While parts of this book are pretty outdated and it shows many of the minor weaknesses of its genre at the time, Spinrad delivered what might be the most ambitious sci-fi political exploration this side of Frank Herbert or Anthony Burgess. The fact that this ambition actually leads to readable results is all the reason to pick up this old lost classic if you come across it. [~doomsdayer520~]

Even more relevant today

With calls for a National ID system with biometric controls, Agent of Chaos should be required reading for everyone to understand what a government could do with the ability to track everyone everywhere. We are now descending into the fascism that Spinrad predicted, but much sooner than he anticipated.

One of the finest books of all time

This is the best! Norman Spinrad writes a novel that cuts to the heart of modern existence and is a complete guide on how and why to live.

Commander Chico Mangwella of The USS Cuban Missile says....

"Perfecto!"