The Ethical Engineer

The Ethical Engineer is a science fiction novel by Harry Harrison, first published in 1963. The story is set in a fictional medieval kingdom, where a power-hungry king named Lanius seeks to expand his empire by conquering neighboring lands. The main character, Conn Maxwell, is an engineer who is hired by Lanius to build a war machine that will help him conquer his enemies. However, Conn is also a man of ethics and principles, and he struggles with the moral implications of building a weapon of war. As Conn tries to navigate the treacherous political landscape of the kingdom, he becomes embroiled in a web of conspiracy and deceit. He is eventually framed for a crime he did not commit and must go into hiding to avoid being executed. In order to clear his name and stop Lanius from conquering more lands, Conn must use his engineering skills and his knowledge of the kingdom's power structure to rally the people against the corrupt ruling class. The novel is a thrilling adventure with elements of political intrigue and social commentary. It explores themes such as the nature of power and corruption, the importance of ethics and morality, and the role of individuals in effecting change. Ultimately, "The Ethical Engineer" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind obedience and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions.