Empire

"Empire" by Clifford D. Simak is a science fiction tale set amid political turmoil in the Solar System, focusing on the Interplanetary Power company and the Jovian elections. Spencer Chambers, a key player in the company, sees John Moore Mallory, imprisoned for speaking out, as a risk to his goal of total control. The book begins with Chambers as a clever leader preparing for the political problems caused by Mallory's demands for an investigation into Interplanetary Power's unethical business actions. His relationships with others show his unfeeling personality and the cruel actions he is willing to take to stay in power, even if it means silencing those who disagree. The story also includes interesting scientific ideas through characters like Russell Page and Gregory Manning, hinting at new discoveries that could shake up existing power structures, promising a story that mixes personal goals with bigger ideas about freedom and the future of technology.