The Puppet Masters - by Robert A Heinlein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The whole world to take over...one human at a time
It is the summer of 2007. The sun is shining, music is
dancing on the air, and kids are playing in the streets. What they don't know,
though, is that slug-like creatures have come to Earth in flying saucers,
attacking the world and its people. By attaching themselves to people's backs
and taking control of their nervous systems, the slug's use humans as puppets
with the intention of taking over the whole world. Earth is quietly thrown into
chaos--but a few special agents could save them all.

Sam, Mary, and The Old Man--the head of the clandestine
national security agency called the Section--travel to Iowa to investigate a
report involving a flying saucer as well as the disappearance of six agents
previously on the case. Learning that the city is being overrun by slugs, they
are disheartened to learn that they can't convince the US President to
officially declare an emergency.

The three are attacked but manage to escape. However, a slug
is able to escape with them. The situation becomes more dire when Sam gets
taken over and the slug starts using Sam's vast skills and knowledge to
facilitate the invasion.

Is this the beginning of the end for the human race?

Review Quotes

"A thunderously exciting melodrama of intrigue"--Critics Boucher & McComas

--Boucher & McComas

"The recurrent enigma of the flying saucer is finally solved when an aerial pieplate is caught with its exhaust down by the F.B.I. of 2007. Hero Sam penetrates the contaminated area, brings a 'master' back -- a gelatinous gray mass which attaches itself to a soldier's body and controls his thought processes. Sam and his girl spot further landings, plan a counter campaign and eventually are able to rid the solar system of its parasites. Exciting, even if it exacts a strong stomach."--Kirkus Reviews