"H. Beam Piper - Federation" - читать интересную книгу автора (Piper H Beam)

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Federation by H. Beam
Piper
Preface: PIPER'S FOUNDATION
Jerry Pournelle
I have a unique privilege: I have the legal right, acknowledged by the
copyright owners, to do stories in H. Beam Piper's worlds.

This didn't come lightly. It was given to me by Beam Piper himself
many years ago, long before I had any suspicion that I might write science
fiction. Beam apparently knew my future better than I did.

It happens sometimes: an instant bond between two men on very short
acquaintance. It was that way with Beam. He was twice my age. I had
admired his writing. He had never heard of me, but was fascinated by my
tales of the space program. We met, I think, in Poul Anderson's room, and
we began talking; when we realized the time, it was dawn. The next night
also ended at dawn; and for both of us the convention ended too quickly.

Afterwards we corresponded. I was then a graduate student in political
science, studying the history of government, the pain and hopes and
dreams of political philosophers and statesmen, the brutal realities of
politiciansтАж

Our letters read like treatises. Beam, though not formally educated, had
read more books than most professors; and he was a keen observer of
human nature. I for my part asked questions, or called attention to works
he had not seen, adding little to the vast tapestry of the future Beam had
conceived; and he expressed his thanks by offering me an equal right to
the finished product. It was more than I had coming, but Beam never
believed in doing anything by halves.

Then my degree was finished at last, and with my wife and young son I
moved to California, where I was general editor of a top secret Air Force
forecast of missile technology; a job that required me to understand
everything, from warheads to guidance to rocket motor casings. I threw
myself into the work. Beam continued to write, and I replied with post
cards, or not at all; and one day I heard that he was dead by his own hand.

I didn't believe it. I called the police in Williamsport, convinced that he
had been murdered by someone clever; but no, the note was authentically
Beam Piper.