SF. Good read

Rather tedious story. Earth's technology is destroyed and its inhabitants reduced to barbarism - at least by an evil alien being and not by ourselves, for a change. Mankind's only chance for salvation lies with the Eldren, ancient and wise alien races dedicated to peace and learning. But the Eldren consider humanity too primitive and savage to understand the Eldren Way. Benn Dain intends to compete at Mazeway, hoping to earn acceptance for humanity. Some highly dodgy alien and human characters also compete. The Eldren seem to be too high-minded to believe that the Galaxy is in danger, but on the last page it appears that part of the time at least, they were just giving folks enough rope to hang themselves. Sigh. ( )