Monument is a science fiction novel written by Lloyd Biggle, Jr. and published in 1974. Monument was based on a short story (novelette) of the same name published in Analog magazine in 1961. The novel was optioned in 1979 and was to be the premiere film of Spacefilms, but never materialized. The film was co-written by Biggle and Spacefilms founder John Flory. The novel is dedicated "To John, Bee and Jack Flory, who had a vision." Plot summary A nondescript spacer with little education named Cerne Obrien finds a cache of extremely valuable "retron crystals", but crashes on an idyllic planet before he can sell them. The planet has a single continent, inhabited by humans with a Polynesian culture. The natives live contented lives, hunting a sea creature called the koluf, which constitutes almost their entire diet. Obrien uses his surviving technology to rid the area of several dangerous animals, and eventually marries. The natives come to call him the "Langri", a title of deep respect. Obrien lives a peaceful life, watching his descendants grow up, but as he ages, he begins worrying about the future. Unscrupulous developers would inevitably attempt to turn the planet into a resort and marginalize the natives. Obrien could handle them if they arrived soon, but he cannot live forever. He has bright young people sent to him. He begins to teach them "the Plan". It is difficult to teach the non-technological natives all they need to know, as they have little concept of modern galactic society, but he manages it. His best pupil is a young man named Fornri. Even as Obrien lies dying, a developer called Wembling arrives to illegally prospect for minerals. The people, led by Fornri, put the Plan into effect. They first capture Wembling and his men, and the crews of four scout ships sent to find Wembling. The Navy eventually arrives, and a treaty is signed recognizing the planet under the name Langri. The people of Langri fine the Federation for illegal landings and hire a law firm, as specified in the Plan. Eventually Wembling realizes the planet's potential. He sees to it that the record of the treaty is lost and procures a charter to develop a tourist resort. The construction drives away most of the koluf, and the people begin to starve; they have lost the ability to digest "normal" food. The starving natives cannot get a