I'm trying to locate a (novella?) short story I read many years ago. It probably was in Fantasy & SF mag.
The gist of the plot was a future war; all the combatants had electronic calculating machines/computer type devices needed to control weapons, etc. For some reason (power loss?) the devices became inoperable. The hero of the story was nonetheless able to forge ahead because he was an antiquarian and had (much to the derision of his fellows up to that point) learned math, long division, etc. by hand and was able to do the calculations necessary without the aid of his electronic devices.
Does this plot line ring any bells?
Thanks as always.
The gist of the plot was a future war; all the combatants had electronic calculating machines/computer type devices needed to control weapons, etc. For some reason (power loss?) the devices became inoperable. The hero of the story was nonetheless able to forge ahead because he was an antiquarian and had (much to the derision of his fellows up to that point) learned math, long division, etc. by hand and was able to do the calculations necessary without the aid of his electronic devices.
Does this plot line ring any bells?
Thanks as always.
