Classic SF with Andy Johnson

Author: Andy Johnson

Exploring classic science fiction, with a focus on the 1950s to the 1990s.
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en-gb

Genres: Fiction, Film Reviews, Science Fiction, TV & Film

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

#183 Hostile takeover: The Cold Cash War (1977) by Robert Asprin
Episode 183
Thursday, 22 January, 2026

Corporate warfare becomes deadly as the state crumblesRobert Asprin was best known for the humorous fantasy series MythAdventure and for creating the influential Thieves' World series of anthologies which ran from 1979 to 1989. But before launching either of those long-running enterprises, Asprin got his start in science fiction. His story of corporate mercenaries in the August 1977 issue of Analog was followed immediately by a full-length version, his debut novel The Cold Cash War.Fairly obscure today, this novel is a precursor to cyberpunk which explores a new kind of corporate warfare, fought by non-lethal means and in secrecy. A product of a very particular moment in the late 1970s, how well does The Cold Cash War stand up today, and what contemporary relevance does it have?Get in touch with a text message!For more classic SF reviews and discussion, visit andyjohnson.xyz. To get free weekly classic SF updates, sign up here.