{"product_id":"ministry-of-disturbance-large-print","title":"Ministry of Disturbance — Large Print","description":"\u003cp\u003eHave you ever wondered why the greatest threat to an empire might not be rebellion—but red tape? In Ministry of Disturbance, acclaimed author H. Beam Piper delivers a satirical and suspenseful look at the fragile machinery of power in a far-future galactic empire. Set within the seemingly impenetrable walls of the Imperial Palace on Odin, this novella follows Emperor Paul XXII as he tries to make sense of alarming—and contradictory—reports of unrest within his dominion. The threat? A supposed planetary rebellion. The real problem? A bureaucratic tangle so dense that even an emperor struggles to cut through it. As Paul navigates layers of self-interested ministers, conniving aides, and overworked civil servants, he begins to suspect the rebellion may not be the true crisis. Something deeper, more insidious, is shaking the foundations of his empire—an erosion of purpose, clarity, and truth. What you’ll discover in this political sci-fi thriller:  An Insider’s Look at Galactic Power – Explore how a seemingly omnipotent emperor becomes entangled in the very bureaucracy he commands.  A Satirical Masterpiece – Piper skewers the absurdities of government administration with wit, intelligence, and foresight.  Tightly-Wound Political Intrigue – Uncover plots, cover-ups, and the silent war waged through memos and misinformation.  A Visionary Tale with Modern Relevance – Though set in a distant future, the themes of systemic dysfunction, administrative inertia, and leadership fatigue feel strikingly timely.  A Compact Classic from a Sci-Fi Legend – A shining example of H. Beam Piper’s ability to infuse thrilling space opera with philosophical and political insight. Whether you love high-stakes space politics, clever satire, or dystopian realism, Ministry of Disturbance offers a thought-provoking and darkly entertaining ride through the back offices of an empire on the edge. ### Audiobook Description Have you ever wondered why galactic empires may collapse—not by war, but by bureaucracy? In Ministry of Disturbance, H. Beam Piper delivers a razor-sharp sci-fi tale where rebellion takes a backseat to paperwork, and the most dangerous plots unfold behind polished desks, not on battlefields. When Emperor Paul XXII receives rumors of a brewing insurrection, he must navigate the endless corridors of Imperial red tape to find the truth. But within the empire’s labyrinth of ministers, departments, and palace politics, he discovers something even more threatening than mutiny: incompetence, apathy, and creeping systemic decay. What you'll discover inside:  A sci-fi political drama where bureaucracy breeds danger  Satirical commentary on government inefficiency and power games  A suspenseful unraveling of plots and hidden motives inside the Imperial Palace  A timeless parable about leadership, responsibility, and systems too big to fail Ministry of Disturbance is a witty, thrilling, and prescient look at how civilizations falter—not by conquest, but from the weight of their own systems.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Library of Alexandria","offers":[{"title":"Large Print Paperback","offer_id":58289313612124,"sku":"LOA-C588-LPPB","price":5.27,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large Print Hardcover","offer_id":58289313644892,"sku":"LOA-C588-LPHC","price":14.28,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large Print eBook","offer_id":58289313677660,"sku":"LOA-C588-LPEB","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1027\/9442\/8764\/files\/0588_Ministry_of_Disturbance__large_print__ebook__pages-104__trim-6x9in__1800x2700px.jpg?v=1784149907","url":"https:\/\/libraryofalexandria.com\/products\/ministry-of-disturbance-large-print","provider":"The Library of Alexandria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}