Cubs of the Wolf

"Cubs of the Wolf" by Raymond F. Jones is a mid-century science fiction tale that studies sociology and relationships among planets, following a fierce group of space pirates who bizarrely became peaceful members of a galactic group, and the secret reasons for this impressive change. The story zeroes in on Cameron Wilder and his wife Joyce, who begin a research project to learn about the history of the Markovian people. Their plans change when they find problems involving the Markovians and the Ids, once their slaves. Cameron discovers the Markovians' lies about where they came from and their piracy. He also learns about the Ids' teachings of love and its effect on changing the Markovians. The story follows Cameron and Joyce as they struggle with the facts they find and their thoughts on power shifts between the races. The book asks big questions about love, understanding, violence, hatred, and finding a way for different groups to live in peace.