The city of gold and lead.

No cover — John Christopher: The city of gold and lead. (Undetermined language, 1967, Hamish Hamilton)

Undetermined language

Published Nov. 10, 1967 by Hamish Hamilton.

(1 review)

The City of Gold and Lead ~ John Christopher/Samuel Youd

From the back of Collier Books published copy of this book:

Will, Beanpole, and Henry have managed to escape the Tripods. But instead of living in safety, in the small Swiss community of free people, they have chosen to embark upon a mission that may yet again cost them their lives.

Each year, a series of Games is held in Germany. Those who win the competitions win the honor to serve the Tripods. Those who are Capped consider this the highest honor. And those who are free know that it is an ideal opportunity to infiltrate the City – and, perhaps free the world.

“The writing has pace, the plot is successful, and the setting is filled with exotic charm and horror.” ~ Saturday Review

“John Christopher has taken the measure of science fiction.” ~ New York Times Book Review …

The City of Gold and Lead ~ John Christopher/Samuel Youd

From the back of Collier Books published copy of this book:

Will, Beanpole, and Henry have managed to escape the Tripods. But instead of living in safety, in the small Swiss community of free people, they have chosen to embark upon a mission that may yet again cost them their lives.

Each year, a series of Games is held in Germany. Those who win the competitions win the honor to serve the Tripods. Those who are Capped consider this the highest honor. And those who are free know that it is an ideal opportunity to infiltrate the City – and, perhaps free the world.

“The writing has pace, the plot is successful, and the setting is filled with exotic charm and horror.” ~ Saturday Review

“John Christopher has taken the measure of science fiction.” ~ New York Times Book Review

Other Books in the Tripod Trilogy: The White Mountains The Pool of Fire

When the Tripods Came

27 editions

Michael Gouker reviewed The city of gold and lead by John Christopher (The Tripods -- 2)

Review of 'The city of gold and lead' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I read this when I was 10 (about 50 years ago) and it haunted me for a long time. Now I realize this was my first taste of sci fi dystopia, though at first glance it seems a serfdom euphoria. On a repeat read today I found the MC grows in the story, and it has both positive and negative things about humans. What was most interesting is the blindness of the imperialist aliens who seem to have many of the same problems as the humans they replaced.