The World Menders

Rating:
Summary: Excellent--fascinating view of culture a classic SF winner
Review: Cedd Farrari is swept up in a draft of Cultural Survey experts and sent off to Branoff IV--a remote planet famous mostly for its aristocratic culture. Since Farrari and his team are supposed to bring about democracy, the legendary mistreatment of the indigenous people seems rife with possibilities. But is it?

Lloyd Biggle is one of the classic authors of the 1960s and 1970s who moved beyond the standard hero conquers the world to view different cultures and civilizations with an open mind. While democracy is certainly the ideal, it must be imposed from within the context of the culture. By using a protagonist trained in Culture, Biggle is able to bring this sensitivity to the novel.

Of course there is plenty of adventure and Farrari gets into a lot of trouble as he is separated from the more experienced members of his team. Finally, his cultural training pays off--in a surprising way.

This is a companion piece to the also great SMALL THIN VOICE OF TRUMPETS.

I could not recommend this book more. It may be Biggle's greatest.