Combat

Combat by Mack Reynolds propels listeners into a lean, provocative 1960s science fiction story that skewers Cold War assumptions and the fog of first contact. Set against the era’s geopolitical churn, Reynolds follows Henry “Hank” Kuran and a cast of pragmatic desk-bound analysts as an alien arrival forces humans to confront how ideology, propaganda, and market forces distort truth. Part political fable, part speculative thriller, Combat examines how nations and individuals interpret—or misinterpret—outsiders, technology, and each other. Small details, from reports about a bargain-priced “People’s Car” to officeroom banter, reveal a world where economic competition and cultural bias shape global decisions. Reynolds’ crisp prose and wry social commentary turn a compact narrative into a wider meditation on perception, power, and the risks of one-sided viewpoints. Ideal for fans of classic science fiction, Cold War-era speculative literature, and politically minded short fiction, this audiobook offers a sharp, concise listening experience. Tune in for brisk pacing, incisive satire, and a timely reminder that the real battle is often over who gets to tell the story.