Breathes there a man by Charles E. Fritch

"Breathes there a man" by Charles E. Fritch is a science fiction novel likely written in the early 1950s, a time when themes of government control and societal structure were increasingly prevalent in literature. Set in a future where people's lives are regulated by the oppressive Super State, the story revolves around protagonist Arthur Dunlop, who becomes embroiled in intrigue and espionage as he discovers that a World Bureau of Investigation (WBI) agent is among his coworkers. The narrative explores themes of freedom, conformity, and rebellion against a soulless regime that taxes even the air people breathe. The storyline follows Arthur Dunlop as he navigates the oppressive constraints of his government's control, coupled with personal deception and danger. While working on designs for a respirator meant for a polluted world, he receives a cryptic warning about a WBI agent in his office, igniting suspicion and paranoia. As Arthur engages with characters like Julie, a member of the underground resistance, and faces threats from robotic enforcers and government officials, he grapples with his own loyalties and the system's deceit. The plot intensifies as he becomes a target of both the authorities and his own colleagues, culminating in a trial that thrusts him into a Lunar Prison Colony, where a deeper plan involving rebellion against the government is revealed. Ultimately, the novel examines the struggle for freedom in a world where individualism is stifled, and a surprising alliance forms for a potential uprising against the harsh regime. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Download for free

For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.

Other formats & older devices
643 kB
636 kB

There may be more files related to this item.

About this eBook

Author Fritch, Charles E., 1927-2012
Illustrator Smith, H. R.
Title Breathes there a man
Original Publication United States: Space Publications, Inc.,1953.
Series Title Produced from Rocket Stories, July 1953
Credits Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net.
Reading Level Reading ease score: 74.8 (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 Dystopias -- Fiction
Subject Totalitarianism -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 68615
Release Date
Last Update Oct 18, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 342 downloads in the last 30 days.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!