Alexei Tolstoy

The Garin Death Ray Alexei Tolstoy

This is a story, originally written in 1927, of an attempt to use a remarkable invention to establish the absolute power of one man throughout the world. Garin, inventor of a powerful death ray, also aims at subjugating the majority of the world's population by means of a "little operation" to their brains which will make slaves of them, willing to work, like beasts of burden, for their food alone, so that the chosen few, the "patricians," might live a life of pleasure.

The scheme is countered by the champions of the common people, two bold fighters - young Gusev and the fearless Shelga.