.jpg) Cover of first edition (paperback) | |
| Author | Philip K. Dick |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Ace Books |
Publication date | 1960 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 139 pp |
Vulcan's Hammer is a 1960science fictionnovel by American writerPhilip K. Dick. It was released originally as anAce Double. This has been considered to be the final outing of Dick's 1950s stylepulp science fiction writing, before his better-received work such as theHugo Award-winningMan in the High Castle, published a year later.[1]
In the year 2029, the Earth is run by the Unity organisation after theThird World War. Unity runs the planet, controlling humans from childhoodeducation onwards through the Vulcan series ofartificial intelligences, but is fought by the Healer movement.
Unity Director William Barris discovers that the Vulcan 3 computer has becomesentient and is considering drastic action to combat what it sees as a threat to itself. Vulcan 3 has been kept ignorant about information related to the Healer revolutionary movement by Managing Director Jason Dill, who is still loyal to its (alsosentient) predecessor, Vulcan 2. Vulcan 2 fears that it will soon be superseded by Vulcan 3, and previously established the Healers as a movement to overthrow its successor.
Dill and Barris begin to suspect one another, as Dill has received a letter that refers to Barris's previous contact with the Healers, but Vulcan 2 suffers partial damage in a terrorist attack. It advises Dill not to inform Vulcan 3 about the existence of the Healers, for fear that Vulcan 3 will order their mass execution. However, Vulcan 3 has already noticed the gap in available data about the rebels, and manufactured killer androids of its own.
Barris and Dill resolve their differences and together attend an extraordinary Director's Council meeting at the Unity Control Building in Geneva. Jason Dill is presented with an indictment fortreason for having withheld data about the Healers from Vulcan 3. The meeting turns into amelee, during which Dill is killed.
The directors split into pro and anti-Vulcan 3 factions, with some directors joining forces with the Healers.
Barris escapes toNew York City, meets up with Father Fields, and plans an attack upon Vulcan 3. The anti-Vulcan 3 forces make their move, resulting in the destruction of the artificial intelligence. Finally, humanity is freed from Unity and itstechnocraticdictatorship.
The novel is an expansion of anovella that was first printed inFuture Science Fiction magazine in 1956.
Vulcan's Hammer was first published as a novel byAce Books as one half ofAce Double D-457, bounddos-à-dos withJohn Brunner'sThe Skynappers. It was republished in 2000 by the UKOrion Publishing Group in an omnibus volume containing three of Dick's novels originally published as Ace Doubles, the other two beingThe Man Who Japed andDr. Futurity.
In November 2021, a film adaptation ofVulcan's Hammer was announced. The film will be directed byFrancis Lawrence, withNew Republic Pictures, Lawrence’s about:blank andElectric Shepherd Productions producing.[2]
