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Classic Literature

The K-Factor: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

The K-Factor: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Published by Pop Culture Files••2 min read•Automatically generated · review not guaranteed
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

The K-Factor is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Harrison, Harry (1925–2012).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The K-Factor" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book centers around the concept of "Societics," a science aimed at understanding and controlling human society, particularly regarding the factors that lead to war. As the plot unfolds, the protagonists, Neel Sidorak and Adao Costa, grapple with the implications of their research as they face the reality of a society on the brink of conflict. In the novel, Neel Sidorak is tasked with investigating the increasingly unstable conditions on the planet Himmel, where a positive "k-factor" indicates an impending war. Alongside his assistant, Adao Costa, Neel learns that the societal dynamics are more complex than initially understood, as they uncover a treacherous plot involving their own colleagues. As tensions rise, Neel is forced to confront moral dilemmas about using violence to bring about peace. Ultimately, he grapples with how to use the knowledge of Societics to prevent war without resorting to assassination, leading to a dramatic climax where actions have unforeseen consequences. The story explores themes of power, responsibility, and the ethical ramifications of intervention in human societies.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The K-Factor
  • Author credits: Harrison, Harry (1925–2012)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Science fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Novels
  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
  • Science Fiction

Read this edition

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.

Sources

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