The Legend That Was Earth

The terrors of a capitalist society in free fall are amply illustrated in this cautionary tale about collusion between an alien superpower interested in exploiting Earth's natural resources (and reorganizing human society along stultifyingly structured lines) and U.S. officials too greedy to care. Roland Cade, a privileged entrepreneurial facilitator with no interest in politics, introduces the alien Hyadeans to wealthy Terran businessmen. Meanwhile, Julia, Cade's lovely and understanding girlfriend, suggests that he use his less savory connections with his ex-wife, Marie, to move ""a good friend"" of Julia's out of the United States. (Marie, after divorcing Roland, joined revolutionaries who believe the U.S. government fails to put the interests of the American citizenry above financial gain.) Once Roland and Marie are reunited, politics and reignited passions drive Roland to uncover the truth behind a government-ordered assassination plot, while the trusting Hyadeans get a lesson in the subterfuges of the capitalist ruling classes. Struggling to pull the U.S. from the brink of destruction, Roland, Marie, a group of well-meaning revolutionaries and Hyadeans battle for survival as they attempt to reveal the truth through media channels. Although Hogan's aliens are basically just blue people, the virtue of this lively political parable lies in its consideration of such concepts as imagination, power, fear and the unfamiliar. Hard SF fans seeking a fantastic new landscape of creatures and technology may be disappointed, but they'll appreciate Hogan's energetic narrative, engaging characters and strikingly real presentation of a plausible immediate future. (Oct.)