Love this funny story. ery creative ( )

The Crossroads is a satire dating from the February 1941 issue of "Unknown" magazine. Hubbard was no stranger to satire. Portions of Battlefield Earth were satirical representations, i.e., characters like Rogodeter Snowl and Roof Arsebogger are cut from the fabric of satire while The House of Plunder is Hubbard's satirical reference to a Tolnep legislative center. His final work, Mission Earth, is a satire. The Crossroads is written in the same style as Mission Earth. Farmer Eben Smith, encountering a military officer at a crossroads in a future where gold is banned, is told simply: "...you do not realize that a totalitarian state is far too powerful to be overthrown. You have seen what happens to the enemies of the Greater Dictatorship." Throughout his career Hubbard was consistent in lampooning corrupt public officials and warning of the dangers of a totalitarian society. Such warnings were not merely the imaginative work of a pulp writer, but rather the raw perception of a man who witnessed the polemics that resulted in socialism and communism. And that Hubbard recognized the manifestation of these elements in American culture is a telling point. Readers of fantasy will enjoy this satirical and humorous tale. Included in this reprinting are the stories "Borrowed Glory" which is an acknowledged classic; and "The Devil's Rescue" which deserves a wide audience. As always, I also recommend the audio book. Each audio book features a multicast performance with music and sound effects reminiscent of radio's golden age. ( )

I also saw a live performance of it in Hollywood. Story lines are in other reviews. I do like the whimsical stories of Mr Hubbard quite a lot and Eben the farmer is a hoot in this one. A practical yankee trader with some quite peculiar circumstances at THE CROSSROADS.

Highly recommended for fun and chuckles and surprises.

Very Imaginative! You will laugh!!! ( )

I have read a few of Hubbard’s short stories I have to say that this one was my favorite ...well at least the first two stories are. It surprised me because I did not think I would find anything of Hubbard I would like but the first two stories are different.

The Crossroads

A poor farmer leaves his home hoping to sell the food he has grown. On his travel to the city he comes to a crossroad. Not knowing where to go he sits for lunch. As he stays at the crossroad strange and unusual people stop by and barter with him.

Borrowed Glory

An old woman is offered a deal from a angel. She will give her youth and everything she wants for 2 days but after those days she will turned back to her present circumstances.

The Devil’s Rescue

A survivor of a boat wreck is found by another ship. They bring him back to health only to hope to imprison him on the ship.

As I said the first two stories are in my opinion better than the last. They are more like fables where the last one is written differently. I feel like first two stories you have a little fun reading them. Devil’s Rescue you kind of have to work your brain harder to understand what is going on. I would recommend this book for fantasy lovers. ( )