The High Crusade / Poul Anderson

The High Crusade

category: science fiction, author:

Poul Anderson

original copyright 1960,
read in Sep 2011

Agamedes' opinion: 7 out of 10

A small group of low level lords, plus all of their vassals and villagers, head off for the Crusades. Instead... they end up in space. Where they promptly begin to "civilise" various planets and peoples.

It's a lot of fun -- and a good book, too.

Is it just a little, well, unrealistic? Or is it possible that space is populated by aliens with not too many street smarts... Is The High Crusade an example of a book based on the natural superiority of the good ol' US of A?

Not to worry: it's a book based on the natural superiority of the British !

There are some interesting aspects to this book...

First, it does remind me of Battleship Earth. Heroes start simple and gradually overcome more and more alien civilisations. Crusade explains the success by pointing to the straightforward -- ie street stupid -- nature of the aliens. Battleship is just as entertaining but the hero depends on the absolute stupidity of the aliens.

Then there is the end result...

At the end of Crusade, a small part of the universe is ruled by the descendants of Crusaders. "Present day" Earth people arrive at that part of space, having been through a more standard process of science, development and exploration. And that seems to be the end of the story.

Except...

How civilised are these modern day Crusaders? Very, apparently. Yet they still have the Christian, Crusader ethos. How will they mix with a less religious "modern" Earth civilisation?

I think that Anderson is suggesting that the Crusaders fight for right rather than against different ideas. I'm not sure. But I do hope so.

This is a book which has aged well. It's still believable -- with the usual willing suspension of disbelief. There was no point at which I thought, Well, he certainly missed the point there!

There is a lot adventure, a touch of humour, a satisfying ending. A story which is as good today as it would have been, fifty years ago.

And despite the Crusader heroes -- there is no preaching by the author.

A book to read and enjoy.

..o0o..

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