Sixth Column (novel)

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A novel by Robert A. Heinlein, Sixth Column tells the story of six surviving US soldiers after Pan-Asian invaders conquer America. Having recently invented a Doomsday Device that confers its wielder powers not much unlike omnipotence, the surviving Americans begin plotting to free their country using this new technology.

Complications arise as they realize how fickle the PanAsians are and how easily they resort to executing captive Americans. To avoid unnecessary loss of life, the Americans decide to set up a fake religion to take advantage of the only freedom given to American people anymore, and start working covertly to overthrow the Asian rule.



Sixth Column provides examples of:

  • All Asians Are Alike: Very literally - the entire Asia has amalgamated to a massive nation of PanAsia, with most elements resembling Japanese culture.
  • A God Am I: All of the main characters have near-omnipotence thanks to their weapons, but Calhoun is the one who eventually goes crazy about it and actually thinks he's a divine in their scam religion
  • Scam Religion: In order to fool the Asians, the Americans set up a temple of Mota. Using staves fitted with omnipotence-granting weapons, they even perform miracles to keep the Asians away from the temples - in which the revolution is planned.
  • Super Weapon, Average Joe: The Americans have a weapon that allows them to do pretty much anything with ease.