Letter of the Law

Name: Letter of the Law
Author: Alan Edward Nourse

By Alan Edward Nourse

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About This Book

A smooth Terran trader is detained on a newly contacted jungle planet after selling the same parcels of land to multiple native buyers; his adviser travels to secure extradition but finds the local society treats land as the fundamental scarce resource and regards the fraud as especially heinous. The narrative follows the adviser’s attempts to navigate alien legal customs, the consulate’s political reluctance to intervene, and the con-man’s misjudgment of native culture. Themes include cultural misunderstanding, commercial exploitation, and the moral and legal limits of interplanetary trade.

About the Author

Alan Edward Nourse

Alan Edward Nourse was an American author known for his contributions to science fiction and medical literature. His works often explore themes of human experience and ethical dilemmas in the context of science and technology. Nourse's notable book, "A Man Obsessed," delves into the psychological struggles of its protagonist, reflecting his interest in the complexities of the human mind. Throughout his career, he wrote over thirty books, including titles like "An Ounce of Cure" and "Gold in the Sky," showcasing his versatility across genres. Nourse's writing is characterized by a blend of imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking insights.