The novel “The Dirdir” by Jack Vance was published for the first time in 1969. It’s the third novel in the Tschai tetralogy, also known with the global title “Planet of Adventure”, and follows “Servants of the Wankh”.

Adam Reith’s attempts to find a starship to return to Earth and leave the planet Tschai have attracted the attention of the Dirdir, one of the species that inhabits Tschai. Along with his companions, he manages to kill the first group sent to capture him and kill him but he knows that others will follow.

Reactint to threats and other events isnot enough so Adam Reith decides it’s time to turn the tables. On Tschai there are technologies to build a new starship but they really need a lot of money to do it. To obtain the money, the Earthling robs the Dirdir.