Preface and Chapter 1 Summary

Preface: The preface summarizes the career of Hope Hubris, the Tyrant of the United States of North Jupiter. He had almost been disqualified from the role of Tyrant for a technicality, but his sister Spirit Hubris helped him.

This novel claims to be the personal diary of Hope Hubris. It purports to shed light on the Siege of Saturn, and sheds light on the question of whether Hope Hubris was mad. The editor, "HMH," claims that if, "Others had competence; Hope had magic" (p. 2).

Chapter 1: Executive begins in Pineleaf Bubble, which is floating in the Jupiter atmosphere. Hope Hubris has just been assigned the role of Tyrant for North Jupiter by the Constitutional Convention. His job is to balance the budget, but as he asks for an expert, his Secret Service men tell him that he should get on...