The Syndic (Illustrated) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Dystopian NovelsBy Cyril M. Kornbluth
Length6h 36m
About this audiobook
The Syndic (Illustrated) is a brisk, sardonic work of mid-century speculative fiction that inverts the familiar moral architecture of the crime story: organized crime has displaced the state and, paradoxically, made society more humane. Through intrigue, pursuit, and political satire, Kornbluth examines legitimacy, commerce, coercion, and civic myth. Its hard-edged prose, swift pacing, and ironic intelligence place it squarely within the Golden Age's more subversive current, anticipating later dystopian and libertarian debates while retaining pulp adventure's momentum. Cyril M. Kornbluth (1923–1958), a member of the influential Futurians, was among science fiction's sharpest satirists. His collaborations with Frederik Pohl, especially The Space Merchants, reveal a mind alert to propaganda, bureaucracy, capitalism, and social manipulation. Kornbluth's wartime experience and urban, politically aware milieu helped shape his distrust of official narratives and his fascination with systems that claim moral authority. This illustrated edition is recommended for readers who enjoy intellectually provocative science fiction that marries adventure to political irony. It will especially appeal to admirers of dystopian satire, alternate social orders, and classic SF that remains unsettlingly modern.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreScience Fiction, Action and Adventure
Length6 hrs 36 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateFeb 26, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
17CHAPTER XI.
2Introduction
18CHAPTER XII.
3Synopsis
19CHAPTER XIII.
4Historical Context
20CHAPTER XIV.
5The Syndic (Illustrated)
21CHAPTER XV.
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6PART I.
22CHAPTER XVI.
7CHAPTER I.
23CHAPTER XVII.
8CHAPTER III.
24CHAPTER XVIII.
9CHAPTER IV.
25CHAPTER XIX.
10CHAPTER V.
26CHAPTER XX.
11CHAPTER VI.
27CHAPTER XXI.
12CHAPTER VII.
28CHAPTER XXII.
13CHAPTER VIII.
29Analysis
14CHAPTER IX.
30Reflection
15PART II.
31Memorable Quotes
16CHAPTER X.
Takeoff (Annotated)Cyril M. Kornbluth7h 13m$2 · $0.00
Two Dooms: Two Dystopian Novels (Illustrated) (Annotated)Cyril M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl10h 37m$2 · $0.00
Search the Sky (Annotated)Cyril M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl7h 6m$2 · $0.00
Rocket Launch (Annotated)Cyril M. Kornbluth7h 48m$2 · $0.00
The Naked StormCyril M. Kornbluth7h 2m$2 · $0.00
Wolfbane (Illustrated) (Annotated)Cyril M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl5h 1m$2 · $0.00
The Best Short Stories by Cyril M. Kornbluth (Illustrated Edition) (Annotated)Cyril M. Kornbluth12h 10m$2 · $0.00
TakeoffCyril M. Kornbluth6h 19m$2 · $0.00
A Mile Beyond the MoonCyril M. Kornbluth6h 56m$2 · $0.00
Takeoff (Sci-Fi Classic)Cyril M. Kornbluth7h 2m$1 · $0.00
The Greatest Sci-Fi Books - Cyril M. Kornbluth EditionCyril M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl37h 11m$1 · $0.00
Reap the Dark Tide (Sci-Fi Classic)Cyril M. Kornbluth1h 28m$1 · $0.00
Wolfbane (Sci-Fi Classic)Cyril M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl4h 51m$1 · $0.00
The Essential Works of Cyril M. KornbluthCyril M. Kornbluth36h 20m$2 · $0.00
Reap the Dark Tide (Annotated)Cyril M. Kornbluth2h 20m$2 · $0.00
The Sci-Fi Stories - Cyril M. Kornbluth EditionCyril M. Kornbluth11h 59m$2 · $0.00
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Two DoomsCyril M. Kornbluth, Frederik Pohl10h 25m$2 · $0.00
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The Galaxy, and the Ground WithinBecky Chambers9h 56m$29 · $0.00
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GhostdriftSuzanne Palmer13h 38m$27
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Can’t Ride Around ItAnn Charles, Sam Lucky10h 13m$25
Punk’s FightWard Carroll10h 28m$20
With Fire and Sword (Annotated)Henryk Sienkiewicz36h 6m$2 · $0.00
The Labyrinth of the SpiritsCarlos Ruiz Zafon27h 55m$53 · $0.00
Ship of the Line (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith11h 13m$2 · $0.00
Once an EagleAnton Myrer41h 21m$40
The Count of Monte Cristo + The Three Musketeers + The Man in the Iron Mask (3 Unabridged Classics) (Annotated)Alexandre Dumas101h 51m$2 · $0.00
Sons of War 4: SoldiersNicholas Sansbury Smith, Tom Abrahams12h 54m$25
The Complete Novels (Illustrated Edition) (Annotated)Robert Louis Stevenson100h 59m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of Jack London – 22 Adventure Classics in One Volume (Illustrated) (Annotated)Jack London188h 23m$2 · $0.00
The Road to Gundagai (The Matilda Saga, #3)Jackie French12h 31m$33 · $0.00
I AM BOND, JAMES BOND – The Books Behind The Movies: Premium Collection – 20 Titles in One Volume (Annotated)Ian Fleming101h 33m$2 · $0.00
The Skull of the WorldKate Forsyth10h 28m5.0 (1)$20
The Greatest Zane Grey WesternsZane Grey73h 15m$2 · $0.00
TimelessR. A. Salvatore12h 30m$33 · $0.00
Hang Them SlowlyWilliam W. Johnstone9h 22m$20
The Quantum ChainNick Jones12h 59m$23
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