H. Beam Piper

In the year 2140 helicopters were a common means of transportation, visiphones were installed in every home, beltways replaced subways, and atomic energy had long been harnessed into the service of mankind. But in this world of otherwise Utopian progress there was an element of jarring discord—nine-tenths of the population chose to remain Illiterate!And if you were brave enough to become a member of the minority wearing the white smock designating Literacy, your life was in constant danger from the Illiterates, whose popular political slogan was: “Put the Literates in their placel Our servants, not our masters!” For in this world Literacy was held directly responsible for war—and the populace was taking no chances on a repeat performance!But even the most progressive audio-visual methods of education cant subdue a natural desire to learn ... as witnessed by the panic, terror and swift changing of sides when there arises a CRISIS IN 2140!