The Struggle for Empire: A Story of the Year 2236
| Author | Robert William Cole |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novelette |
| Publisher | Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.C. |
Publication date | 1900 |
| Publication place | UK |
| Text | The Struggle for Empire: A Story of the Year 2236 at Wikisource |
The Struggle for Empire: A Story of the Year 2236 written by Robert William Cole and first published in 1900 is a science fiction novel. It is regarded as one of the first space operas.[1]
Significance
It is often credited with being the first novel to introduce the concept of galactic empires, interstellar travel and fleets of starships in the thousands locked in combat.[2]
Plot
The British Empire has colonized the nations of Africa, Asia and others on Earth,[3] and in which the 'Anglo-Saxon race' had 'long ago absorbed the whole globe'.[4]
The expanding Anglo-Saxon Empire of Earth then clashes with a similar empire based on Kairet, a planet in the Sirius system. Both sides have forgotten spiritual and philosophical values, and are driven by greed. Commercial rivalries escalate into an interstellar war which results in the destruction of most of the Terran fleet and the invasion of Earth.
Future technology
The novel's technology includes antigravity, interplanetary radio, television, various forms of death ray and industrial transmutation.
References
- ^ Bleiler, Everett Franklin (1992). Science Fiction: The Early Years. Kent State University Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0873384162.
- ^ Edward, James (1995). Anticipations: Essays on Early Science Fiction and Its Precursors. Syracuse University Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0815626404.
- ^ Wetmore, Kevin J. (2017). The Empire Triumphant: Race, Religion and Rebellion in the Star Wars Films. McFarland. p. 13. ISBN 978-0786422197.
- ^ Claeys, Gregory (2016). Dystopia: A Natural History. Oxford University Press. p. 301. ISBN 978-0198785682.
External links
The full text of The Struggle for Empire at Wikisource- The Struggle For Empire (free PDF)
- The Struggle For Empire (free ePub)
