Man-Kzin Wars X - The Wunder War

Man-Kzin Wars X: The Wunder War (2005) – Larry Niven
Baen Books | ISBN: 0743498941
Condition: Good | Sold by Crappy Old Books

Cats. Charming little creatures that spend much of their time sleeping, demanding food and regarding their human owners with an expression of barely concealed contempt. Fortunately, most domestic cats weigh less than a stone and lack access to advanced military technology. Otherwise, civilisation might have ended shortly after somebody invented the laser pointer.

In Man-Kzin Wars X: The Wunder War, the tenth volume in Larry Niven’s wonderfully belligerent Man-Kzin Wars series, humanity once again confronts the Kzinti, a race of enormous, carnivorous, technologically sophisticated feline warriors whose attitude towards peaceful coexistence might best be described as deeply unenthusiastic.

Set within Niven’s celebrated Known Space universe, this instalment turns its attention to the human colony world of Wunder, where the Kzinti have demonstrated their preferred approach to international relations: arrive with overwhelming military force, announce that everything now belongs to them, and regard objections as an excellent opportunity for target practice.

Unfortunately for the invaders, humanity has an irritating tendency to resist being conquered.

The Kzinti possess formidable weapons, extraordinary physical strength and a warrior culture built around courage, honour and the enthusiastic application of violence. Humans, meanwhile, are comparatively small, physically unimpressive and inclined to solve problems through improvisation, cunning and the occasional spectacularly dishonest trick.

This combination produces the sort of military conflict in which superior technology and impressive muscles don’t always guarantee victory, particularly when the opposition has decided that survival is considerably more important than behaving honourably.

The Wunder War explores the struggle against Kzinti domination, combining military science fiction with political intrigue, resistance, strategy and the peculiar complications of living under an occupying power whose representatives possess claws, fangs and a rather alarming appetite.

One of the great pleasures of the Man-Kzin Wars universe is the clash between two profoundly different approaches to warfare. The Kzinti regard combat as an expression of personal glory and racial superiority. Humans tend to view it as an inconvenient but occasionally necessary activity, best concluded with the enemy safely defeated and everybody still possessing their original complement of limbs.

Naturally, the Kzinti find this attitude baffling. Where is the glory in winning through deception, patience or careful planning? Why employ elaborate strategy when one can simply charge forward roaring magnificently?

Readers familiar with Niven’s universe will appreciate the continuing exploration of its interstellar history, while newcomers can enjoy the spectacle of humanity attempting to outwit an enemy that regards diplomacy as something to consider after the shooting has stopped.

This 2005 Baen Books edition, offered in Good condition by Crappy Old Books, is an excellent addition to any Known Space collection and a satisfying acquisition for enthusiasts of military science fiction, alien civilisations and interstellar conflicts conducted with considerably more enthusiasm than restraint.

A vigorous adventure involving occupation, resistance, survival and the extraordinary consequences of encountering a species that has apparently elevated bad temper to the status of a national philosophy.

And should your own cat occasionally stare at you as though contemplating your immediate destruction, take comfort in one thing.

At least it hasn’t worked out how to operate a spaceship.

Yet.

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