Footfall

The formative alien invasion novel to which the Hollywood blockbuster owes its common ancestry.

Motifs

• Aliens Can't Understand Human Psychology

  The Fithp don't understand why humans keep fighting even after their submission ritual.

• Orion Drive

  Michael is a battleship created for Earth that uses atom bombs as its primary motive.

• Tea Kettle

  Michael uses a boiler and steam for attitude control.