Wasp    by Eric Frank Russell Order:  USA  Can Orion, 2000 (1958) Paperback     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Eric Frank Russell's pens tongue in cheek tales of strong individualists and this is a prime example. James Mowry is recruited as a wasp in the war between Terra (superior in technology) and the Sirians (who have a big advantage in numbers). The role requires fluency in Sirian, and a 'shorty who can walk slightly bandy-legged with his ears pinned back and his face dyed purple'. The job is explained to the unenthusiastic Mowry via a newspaper article describing a nasty auto accident that happened when a driver was distracted by a buzzing wasp. After a crash course in sabotage, propaganda, psychological warfare, and weaponry, the reluctant recruit is dropped on Jaimec, ninety-fourth planet of the Sirian Empire. There he stirs up all kinds of trouble amongst the alien populace, while keeping a wary eye open for the dreaded Sirian security force, the Kaitempi, whom he succeeds in dodging, though with close calls. Mowry begins by dreaming up a mythical organization, Dirac Angestun Gesept - the Sirian Freedom Party, appointing himself president, secretary, treasurer and field-director. Then he starts stinging the poor Sirians. The wasp uses Terran tech - like propaganda stickers activated by water to etch their messages deeply onto glass; selective assassinations of the Nazi-like Kaitempi, funded by counterfeit currency; ticking parcels containing paper threats along with a couple of real bombs; intensive rumor-mongering of bacteriological warfare; and periboobs which strike nautical fear in enemy merchant vessels. It's a romp of a futuristic spy story, though some of the similarities between Terran terrorism on Sirian worlds and recent events were a little disturbing on re-reading, especially the success of fear tactics against a civilian population. That aside, it's an entertaining read, recently re-printed, with a twisty ending that is typical of early SF. Another that I recommend by Russell is Three To Conquer - about Earth invasion by parasitic, telepathic aliens - if you can find a copy in libraries or second-hand stores. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more SF books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews