# Frigid Fracas

By Mack Reynolds.

"Frigid Fracas" by Mack Reynolds is a novel written in the early 1960s. The story is set in a future society where caste systems prevail, leading to a status-driven culture defined by public perception rather than personal merit. Major Joseph Mauser, the main character, navigates this complex social hierarchy as he grapples with his ambitions to rise to a higher caste, facing the realities of his profession as a mercenary in a world obsessed with televised violence and heroic personas. At the start of the narrative, the reader is introduced to Major Mauser, who finds himself inebriated at a military club, contemplating his social standing and ambitions. A conversation with the Telly reporter Freddy Soligen reveals a cynical commentary on how media portrayals shape public perception of heroism. Mauser's desire for recognition and advancement leads him to forge a dubious partnership with Soligen, who proposes a plan that involves risking his life in a dangerous fracas to gain fame. The opening sets the stage for a critique of the intersection between media, militarism, and the pursuit of status, while exploring themes of ambition, identity, and societal class distinctions. (Summary by Project Gutenberg, written by machine.)

- Language: English
- Illustrator: John Schoenherr
- Subjects: Science fiction; Soldiers -- Fiction

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[Plain text](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/api/books/gutenberg/31008/text)

## Audiobooks of it

- [Frigid Fracas](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/books/librivox/13984) by Mack Reynolds (4 h 38 min, English)

From Project Gutenberg. Public domain in the United States.