The Hour of Battle
The Hour of Battle is a science fiction novel by Robert Sheckley, first published in 1957. It tells the story of a group of humans who are sent to a distant planet to fight a war against an alien race. The humans are led by a mysterious figure known as the General, who is determined to win the war at any cost. The humans are equipped with advanced technology, including a powerful weapon known as the "Hour of Battle". The humans must battle their way through the alien forces, while also dealing with their own internal conflicts and struggles. The novel follows the humans as they fight their way through the alien forces, and as they come to terms with the reality of war and its consequences. Along the way, they must also confront their own inner demons and come to terms with their own mortality. In the end, the humans must decide whether to fight for their own survival or to fight for something greater.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1953 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction · 1,939 words
First lines
As one of the Guardian ships protecting Earth, the crew had a problem to solve. Just how do you protect a race from an enemy who can take over a man's mind without seeming effort or warning?
"That hand didn't move, did it?" Edwardson asked, standing at the port, looking at the stars.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hour of Battle is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Sheckley, dated 1953 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Robert Sheckley
- Date: 1953 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 1,939 words
- Structure: 1 section, 119 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hour of Battle by Robert Sheckley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Hour of Battle?
- How does this novel by Robert Sheckley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The Hour of Battle is a science fiction novel by Robert Sheckley, which follows the story of a group of soldiers who are sent on a mission to a distant planet.
- Adventure — The novel follows the soldiers on their mission, which is full of danger and excitement, making it an adventure story.
- Military Fiction — The novel focuses on the lives of the soldiers and their experiences in battle, making it a military fiction story.
- Fantasy — The novel contains elements of fantasy, such as the distant planet and the creatures that inhabit it, making it a fantasy story as well.
Tags
science fiction · satire · humor · war · philosophy · dystopia · human nature · conflict · surrealism · absurdity · technology · alien encounters