5 Science Fiction Stories by Mack Reynolds

Mack Reynolds wrote science fiction for people who thought about power, money, and who actually runs things. These five early stories showcase his gifts: sharp satire, psychological edge, and a working-class sensibility that set him apart from his mid-century peers. In "Medal of Honor," a man literally incapable of crime receives the ultimate test of his immunity. "Potential Enemy" offers a chilling portrait of paranoia consuming humanity. "Happy Ending" dissects the mind of the last solar system-wide dictator confronting his own defeat. "A Gun For Hire" strips away the myth of the mercenary to reveal what remains. The Tangiers story closes things with wry humor about what people believe and why. These aren't space operas. They're compact, often darkly funny examinations of how power operates, how individuals navigate systems built to control them, and what survives when authority collapses. Reynolds was ahead of his time in asking who benefits and who's expendable.