The Man with the Strange Head and Other Early Science Fiction Stories

This collection of stories and nonfiction primarily showcases the unique ideas that earned Breuer (1889-1947) recognition as a pioneering writer in the early days of modern science fiction. In the title story, a crippled man's prosthetic body continues operating after his death. ""Mars Colonizes"" answers The War of the Worlds, suggesting the Martians might do better to just move to Earth and buy up real estate. Breuer's most famous story, ""The Gostok and the Doshes,"" carries its protagonist to another dimension, where nations go to war over an incomprehensible nonsense phrase; while not tremendously sophisticated, it does rise toward eloquent irony as a satire on totalitarian nationalism. Though more imaginative than eloquent, Breuer's work is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in the genre's early influences.