The Dueling Machine

By: Ben Bova, Myron Lewis

Narrated by: Jim Roberts

First appearing in the 1963 issue of Analog Science Fact & Fiction, this story may have inspired the "holodeck" concept.

Imagine a mechanism that would end all wars and bloodshed. A machine that can create a virtual world where conflicts seem to be fought but where nobody dies. Dr. Leo's Dueling Machine is just that. When a warrior from the Kerak empire begins to win every time and finds a way to circumvent the machine and actually kill his opponents, the results are devastating and may lead to actual, not virtual war. Dr. Leo and his assistant have to work quickly to discover how this happens to save lives, planets and preserve the peace.

©2014 Ben Bova (P)2014 Jimcin Recordings

Seems incomplete.

What did you love best about The Dueling Machine?

Before there was the matrix, the holo deck, virtual reality , lawn mower man there was the dueling machine . One of Bova's best works next to the Voyagers series and the exiles trilogy .

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr Leoh. A very cool headed man with logical thinking and intuitive process.

What three words best describe Jim Roberts’s performance?

Not so good.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

When I first read this book in the 80s the ending was that they had discovered teleportation using the dueling machine. Furthermore Hector had gotten some Odal's personality traits in the end of the book. I wanted to listen to that version .