Long ago, the tripods--huge, three-legged machines--descended upon earth and took control. Now people unquestioningly accept the tripods' power. They have no control over their thoughts or their lives. But for a brief ti...Long ago, the tripods--huge, three-legged machines--descended upon earth and took control. Now people unquestioningly accept the tripods' power. They have no control over their thoughts or their lives. But for a brief time in each person's life--in childhood--he is not a slave.