What do you think?
Rate this book
Terror Station/The Weapon From Eternity
Armchair Fiction presents extra large paperback editions of classic science fiction double novels, complete with original illustrations. The first novel, “Terror Station,” is a sci-fi nail-biter by Dwight V. Swain. A desert of doom? On a secluded military base in the middle of the desert, Carl Stone encounters a distinct change in his comrades perceptions upon his return to base from a trip to D.C. The entire contingent appears to have a tenuous grasp on reality…and what was that constant buzzing sound? Suddenly, sheer madness—monstrous creatures appearing out of nowhere. Yet Stone knew it was not madness he was fighting—but a vicious mind-controlling enemy. The Earth! The second novel, “The Weapon From Eternity” is another great outer space epic. Once again, the Federation was ruled by madmen, twisted by their greed and lust for power. They sought the “ultimate weapon” to quash the Raider planets for good, and claim the universe as their prize. Jarl Corvett, freeborn Raider, thought of those who’d lived, and those who’d died, whether they lived or died for good or evil. He thought of freedom… Here is another great tale from Dwight V. Swain, a master story-teller not only in the field of science fiction, but in the mystery, western, and action adventure genres as well.
215 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
2 people want to read
About the author
Dwight V. Swain
79 books23 followersDwight Vreeland Swain's first published story was "Henry Horn's Super Solvent", which appeared in Fantastic Adventures in 1941. He contributed stories in the science fiction, mystery, Western, and action adventure genres to a variety of pulp magazines.
He joined the staff in the extremely successful Professional Writing Program at the University of Oklahoma training writers of commercial fiction and film. He pioneered scripting documentaries and educational/instructional films using dramatic techniques rather than the previously common talking heads. In the 1960s, he scripted a motion picture, Stark Fear, starring Beverly Garland and Keith Toby. He later wrote non-fiction books about writing, including Techniques of the Selling Writer, Film Scriptwriting, Creating Characters, and Scripting for Video and Audiovisual Media, and was much in demand as a speaker at writers' conferences throughout the US and Mexico.
He joined the staff in the extremely successful Professional Writing Program at the University of Oklahoma training writers of commercial fiction and film. He pioneered scripting documentaries and educational/instructional films using dramatic techniques rather than the previously common talking heads. In the 1960s, he scripted a motion picture, Stark Fear, starring Beverly Garland and Keith Toby. He later wrote non-fiction books about writing, including Techniques of the Selling Writer, Film Scriptwriting, Creating Characters, and Scripting for Video and Audiovisual Media, and was much in demand as a speaker at writers' conferences throughout the US and Mexico.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 27, 2018
Found this in Imaginative Tales, September 1955.
For a short story, it’s a good one. Carl Stone, head of security is returning to the complex, after a three day leave. He comes across a most unusual site; a woman staggering across the desert. The headlights of his car reveal her tattered clothes a look of fright etched across her face. “What is she doing out here?” His question is answered when a bizarre looking robot with a bundle of tentacles emerges from the night and attacks him and the woman. He survives, the woman isn’t as lucky.
He returns to base to report on the incident only to find that no one believes him and are ready to shoot him on site. What could have changed so drastically during his time away? Ah, that is the question.
What he discovers will chill your spine. The fate of the world is literally in his hands.
The only drawback is the end. It was too rushed.
Four Stars
For a short story, it’s a good one. Carl Stone, head of security is returning to the complex, after a three day leave. He comes across a most unusual site; a woman staggering across the desert. The headlights of his car reveal her tattered clothes a look of fright etched across her face. “What is she doing out here?” His question is answered when a bizarre looking robot with a bundle of tentacles emerges from the night and attacks him and the woman. He survives, the woman isn’t as lucky.
He returns to base to report on the incident only to find that no one believes him and are ready to shoot him on site. What could have changed so drastically during his time away? Ah, that is the question.
What he discovers will chill your spine. The fate of the world is literally in his hands.
The only drawback is the end. It was too rushed.
Four Stars
May 13, 2012
Two old SF novellas from Imagination and Imaginative Tales, a pair of related mid-'50s pulp magazines. Two-fisted protagonists, rayguns and rocketships, somewhat juvenile entertainment, that sort of thing. The best pulp stories are fast, florid, fluid, and focused, and these two hit all of those qualities. Swain knocks them out of the park in terms of action, avoiding stall-outs or distractions, with a single-minded attention to duty: that being excitement and thrills.
Terror Station: Horrible alien monsters have mind controlled the inhabitants of a top-secret base in the American southwest. The base chief of security, upon returning back from Washington, has to stop them before their sinister plot is completed. A fast and florid tale, plenty of action and drama, though it's underdeveloped and somewhat rushed. Very enjoyable, but I've read better pulp SF action tales: once it's over, you stop and notice how flimsy parts of it are.
The Weapon From Eternity: Free-world raiders strike against the tyrannical Federation; good old fashioned space opera, just turn off your brain and run with the excitement. The reckless plot covers attempted kidnappings, captures, crosses and double crosses in the blink of an eye. Lots of action, lots of twists; just another '50s space opera, but this one's fun and full of surprises. I really enjoyed it; a little cheesy, but very entertaining.
Terror Station: Horrible alien monsters have mind controlled the inhabitants of a top-secret base in the American southwest. The base chief of security, upon returning back from Washington, has to stop them before their sinister plot is completed. A fast and florid tale, plenty of action and drama, though it's underdeveloped and somewhat rushed. Very enjoyable, but I've read better pulp SF action tales: once it's over, you stop and notice how flimsy parts of it are.
The Weapon From Eternity: Free-world raiders strike against the tyrannical Federation; good old fashioned space opera, just turn off your brain and run with the excitement. The reckless plot covers attempted kidnappings, captures, crosses and double crosses in the blink of an eye. Lots of action, lots of twists; just another '50s space opera, but this one's fun and full of surprises. I really enjoyed it; a little cheesy, but very entertaining.
February 19, 2020
I’m glad armchair is republishing the Dwight V. Swain. He’s not great bit host stuff is a ton of fun and I’m glad it’s no longer forgotten.
Terror Station - is classic B 1950s alien invasion monster movie goodness. It’s nothing special but it will put a smile on your face.
The Weapon From Eternity - I really like Swain’s “void” setting. His hypothetical swashbuckling, totally scientifically inaccurate, solar system is a just pure pulpy fun. This story started out very strong. However, the end wraps up mediocrely. There were several points I thought it might go in a more interesting direction but it ultimately went the safe routes. If you like space and pirates you’ll enjoy this story. This is his 3rd “void” story I’be read. I hope there are more.
Terror Station - is classic B 1950s alien invasion monster movie goodness. It’s nothing special but it will put a smile on your face.
The Weapon From Eternity - I really like Swain’s “void” setting. His hypothetical swashbuckling, totally scientifically inaccurate, solar system is a just pure pulpy fun. This story started out very strong. However, the end wraps up mediocrely. There were several points I thought it might go in a more interesting direction but it ultimately went the safe routes. If you like space and pirates you’ll enjoy this story. This is his 3rd “void” story I’be read. I hope there are more.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews