The Leader

"The Leader" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction story about an enigmatic man who unexpectedly becomes the supreme ruler of a nation. The plot follows the unsettling ascent of The Leader, an unlikely figure who grabs onto absolute power with shocking speed. Fueled by charisma and an iron fist, he manipulates and controls the masses, sparking questions about the very nature of authority and human susceptibility. Told through letters and firsthand accounts, the story unveils a world under siege, as The Leader's reign becomes increasingly tyrannical, marked by superstition, fanaticism, and brutal suppression. The narrative pushes into the possibility of mind control, probing the depths of The Leader's abilities and raising difficult questions about identity. Before the nation is destroyed, the tyrant falls from the throne, appropriating the identity of a more respected individual in a last ditch attempt at power, revealing how easily power can corrupt and control.