title: The Empire of Isher: The Weapon Makers / The Weapon Shops of Isher
author:  A. E. van Vogt 
description: Having more stories from A.E. van Vogt repackaged and  reprinted can only be good news: along with Heinlein and Asimov, this prolific, wild-eyed author deserves much of the credit for pioneering science fiction's golden age back in the '40s and '50s. As a sort of crazy old uncle of modern sci-fi, though, van Vogt doesn't always get his due: his writing wasn't always spectacular, his plot and pacing fell somewhere between harum-scarum and willy-nilly, and his ideas were delivered in relentless salvos, each more outlandish than the last. But an embarrassment or not, the visionary van Vogt is indisputably part of the family, an entertaining and daring author whose influence can be seen in the work of countless other writers.
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  The Weapon Makers
  
  
  
  
  
  Weapon Shops, Book 1
  
  
  **( _One Against Eternity_** **, 1947)**
  
  
  ****
  
  
  A. E. Van Vogt
  
  
  orcenturies the Isher Dynasty has ruled a huge empire that includes earth and
  other planets. The Dynasty's power is checked only by the Weapon Makers, a
  group of dedicated scientists who prevent total take-over, who provide checks
  and balances to the Dynasty's political establishemnt. Now, for the first time
  in history, there is a spy among the Weapon Makers. He is in the confidence of
  the young Empress. Then Wy is it the Empressherslef who insists that he be
  killd? Why has she conceived this passionate hatred of Captain Hedrock?
  Suddenly the brilliant captain is hunted by both powers ... and not even his
  incredible talent for survival is likely to help.
  
  
  First published in book form in 1946.Originally serialized in _Astounding
  Science Fiction_ in 1943.
  
  
  Although this book is published in 1946, I think it is actually the sequel to
  _The Weapon Shops of 