The Conquest By The Moon

The Conquest By the Moon (1809)

Washington Irving

Irving’s uncomplimentary assessment of the Europeans’ conquest of North America at the expense of Native Americans finds voice in this sardonic tale of men from the moon who use the same logic to take over Earth. Science fiction only by the loosest of definitions, this delightful piece does boast “aliens” who are “armed with concentrated sunbeams.” Not bad for 1809.

Rating: 6

Reviewed by: Nat Hocken