Originally published as two separate works: The weapon shops of Isher. New York : Greenberg, 1951. The weapon makers. Providence, R.I. : Hadley Pub. Co., 1947.
Two classic Van Vogt works, "The Weapon Makers" and "The Weapon Shops of Isher", together in one volume for the first time, form the complete story of Robert Hedrock and the Empire of Isher--Publisher's info.
"These time-hopping, politically convoluted tales follow the struggle between the oppressive (but beautiful) Empress Innelda and the superadvanced libertarian Weapon Shops ("The right to buy weapons is the right to be free," reads the storefront sign). Much of the melodramatic plot revolves around the Shops' immortal, ultragenius founder Robert Hedrock, his conflict with the Empress, and their differing visions for the future of humanity, but don't fret too much over the details: van Vogt keeps your head comfortably a-swim in a steady stream of whiz-bang gadgetry, plot twists, and breakneck action." Amazon.com.