License to Steal: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
License to Steal: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
License to Steal is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Newman, Louis.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"License to Steal" by Louis Newman is a satirical science fiction tale published in the late 1950s. The narrative explores the humorous complications of intergalactic law through the story of Skrrgck, a native of a planet where theft is deemed honorable, as he navigates the legalities of doing business on Earth, where the same actions are criminal. The book cleverly examines themes of cultural differences, legal absurdities, and the ramifications of actions influenced by societal norms. The plot centers around Skrrgck's request for a "license to steal" in Chicago, which leads to a series of absurd legal proceedings after he mistakenly believes he has the right to steal according to local customs. Following a convoluted journey that includes theft of a major building and its occupants, the story unfolds to showcase the chaos that ensues in both legal and social spheres. Through his escapades, Skrrgck inadvertently becomes a hero in his home planet of Altair after stealing the Altairian Crown Jewels, ultimately navigating the complexities of interstellar law and politics. His rise to power as Premier leads to a striking conclusion where he enacts legislation against theft, humorously flipping the script on his origins and the very nature of his character.
Book and edition facts
- Title: License to Steal
- Author credits: Newman, Louis
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Chicago (Ill.) -- Fiction
- Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Legal stories
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Theft -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Science Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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