The Defenders

By Philip K. Dick

No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war--perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Start Classics
• Release date: May 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781633552029

Philip K. Dick

Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928–1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly, as well as television's The Man in the High Castle. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and between 2007 and 2009, the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.

Book preview

The Defenders

By Philip K. Dick

Start Publishing LLC

Copyright © 2012 by Start Publishing LLC

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

First Start Publishing eBook edition October 2012

Start Publishing is a registered trademark of Start Publishing LLC

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 978-1-63355-202-9

No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war--perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves!

Taylor sat back in his chair reading the morning newspaper. The warm kitchen and the smell of coffee blended with the comfort of not having to go to work. This was his Rest Period, the first for a long time, and he was glad of it. He folded the second section back, sighing with contentment.

What is it? Mary said, from the stove.

They pasted Moscow again last night. Taylor nodded his head in approval. Gave it a real pounding. One of those R-H bombs. It's about time.

He nodded again, feeling the full comfort of the kitchen, the presence of his plump, attractive wife, the breakfast dishes and coffee. This was relaxation. And the war news was good, good and satisfying. He could feel a justifiable glow at the news, a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. After all, he was an integral part of the war program, not just another factory worker lugging a cart of scrap, but a technician, one of those who designed and planned the nerve-trunk of the war.

"It says they have the new subs almost perfected. Wait until they get those going. He smacked his lips with anticipation. When they start shelling from underwater, the Soviets are sure going to be surprised."

They're doing a wonderful job, Mary agreed vaguely. Do you know what we saw today? Our team is getting a leady to show to the school children. I saw the leady, but only for a moment. It's good for the children to see what their contributions are going for, don't you think?

She looked around at him.

A leady, Taylor murmured. He put the newspaper slowly down. Well, make sure it's decontaminated properly. We don't want to take any chances.

Oh, they always bathe them when they're brought down from the surface, Mary said. They wouldn't think of letting them down without the bath. Would they? She hesitated, thinking back. Don, you know, it makes me remember--

He nodded.

Reviews for The Defenders

[robert.zimmermann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second Philip K. Dick story I've read and I have to say that it was a great read. I wasn't expecting such a difference from the post-apocalyptic/robotic future type story that this was. I'm looking forward to diving further into Dick's stories that I have loaded up on my Kindle and iPod (audiobooks).

[gregorio_roth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting premise and overall a Philip K. Dick book. Not of his best caliber but a fun read non the less.

[arkrayder · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As a commentary on power, “The Defenders” is fascinating and complex. The leadies have no real power over the humans. Due to their programming they cannot harm the humans who reach the surface. They put on a good show however and are capable of threats, but not real violence. Their power depends only on deception and the use of media. They destroy model cities and project the images of destruction down to the bunkers. If “The Defenders” is Dick’s vision of the extent of political power, he is strikingly optimistic about the weakness of states and their reliance of informal sources of power, such as ideology and mass media. Good short read.