Arm of the Law

Harry Maxwell Harrison (1925–2012) was an American science fiction author, illustrator, and editor renowned for his satirical and adventurous contributions to the genre. He is best known for creating iconic characters like the intergalactic criminal Slippery Jim diGriz and for his sharp, often anti-militaristic critiques of societal structures.

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Harrison served as a gunsight technician in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, an experience that deeply influenced his cynical view of military life. Following the war, he worked as a commercial artist and illustrator for EC Comics before transitioning into a prolific writing career that spanned over five decades. His background in visual arts and his extensive world travels, including long periods living in Denmark, Mexico, and Ireland, provided a unique international perspective to his storytelling.

Harrison was a passionate advocate for the international language Esperanto, which he frequently featured in his novels as the primary language of the future. In 1973, his dystopian novel about overpopulation, Make Room! Make Room!, was adapted into the classic film Soylent Green, further cementing his legacy as a writer capable of blending grim social warnings with high-concept science fiction. Throughout his life, he received numerous accolades for his work, including induction into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2004.

Essential Reading

• Arm of the Law (1958): This short story explores the complexities of law enforcement and morality through the lens of a robotic police officer stationed in a frontier setting.
• The Stainless Steel Rat (1961): This novel introduces James Bolivar diGriz, a charming con man and thief who uses his wits to survive in a high-tech future.
• Bill, the Galactic Hero (1965): A biting satire of military science fiction, this work parodies the glorification of war and the absurdity of bureaucratic military life.
• Make Room! Make Room! (1966): This influential dystopian novel depicts a world struggling with extreme overpopulation and resource depletion in a futuristic New York City.
• Deathworld (1960): The story follows a professional gambler who arrives on the deadliest planet in the galaxy, where every form of life has evolved to kill humans.