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Lensman #4-6
Chronicles of the Lensmen, Volume 2
Volume 2 contains the last 3 books of The Lensmen Series: Gray Lensman, Second Stage Lensman, Children of the Lens.
The ancient races of Arisia and Eddore were at war, the battleground, Earth. Only a few earthlings knew of the struggle, or the decisive role they were to play. These were the Lensmen - bred to endure in the conflict with evil.
Enter...Boskone, a network of brilliant interstellar criminals whose mania for conquest threatened the future of civilization. Time and again the Lensman's Galactic Patrol defeated their forces - and time and again, powerful Boskonian bases sprang up anew. Before long, the Lensmen were forced to face the truth; that minds mightier than their own, operating from an unknown planet, were waging a final war for supremacy. And were winning.
But where was this Boskonian stronghold? It would be up to Lensman Kin Kinnison, using his fantastic mental powers, to infiltrate the enemy's inner circle, learn the location of their Grand Base - and smash it forever!
With the Lensmen books, "Doc" Smith set the standard for all space opera to come. Chronicles of the Lensmen, Vol.2 completes the famous series, taking you behind the front lines of a titanic struggle for control of the Universe.
The ancient races of Arisia and Eddore were at war, the battleground, Earth. Only a few earthlings knew of the struggle, or the decisive role they were to play. These were the Lensmen - bred to endure in the conflict with evil.
Enter...Boskone, a network of brilliant interstellar criminals whose mania for conquest threatened the future of civilization. Time and again the Lensman's Galactic Patrol defeated their forces - and time and again, powerful Boskonian bases sprang up anew. Before long, the Lensmen were forced to face the truth; that minds mightier than their own, operating from an unknown planet, were waging a final war for supremacy. And were winning.
But where was this Boskonian stronghold? It would be up to Lensman Kin Kinnison, using his fantastic mental powers, to infiltrate the enemy's inner circle, learn the location of their Grand Base - and smash it forever!
With the Lensmen books, "Doc" Smith set the standard for all space opera to come. Chronicles of the Lensmen, Vol.2 completes the famous series, taking you behind the front lines of a titanic struggle for control of the Universe.
731 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 1999
3 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
E.E. "Doc" Smith
217 books326 followersEdward Elmer Smith (also E.E. Smith, E.E. Smith, Ph.D., E.E. “Doc” Smith, Doc Smith, “Skylark” Smith, or—to his family—Ted), was an American food engineer (specializing in doughnut and pastry mixes) and an early science fiction author, best known for the Lensman and Skylark series. He is sometimes called the father of space opera.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 19, 2012
The second Chronicles of the Lensmen is much meatier (for the lack of a better term) than the first volume. All the groundwork has already been established so Kim Kinnison, the Gray Lensman, gets right down to business.
One thing that stands out about the Lensman books is that it's clear Doc Smith had things well-planned when he started. While the repeated revelation that the supposed big bad isn't at the top of Boskone could have gotten tiresome, it feels rather natural. I also like the introduction of the Black Lensmen. Once again, pay up Green Lantern! Sinestro is a direct analog of the Black Lensmen.
The Lensmen books are actually fairly relevant in today's world. The Galactic Patrol is a lot like the United States and the Boskone, especially in the later stories, are terrorists who strike without warning. I'm sure Smith meant for them to represent the communist threat of the 50's but it still works today.
The end of Children of the Lens was as I expected. The Kinnison children fulfilled their destinies. I've heard that Smith had another story in his head featuring them but it was unpublishable due to the controversial nature. If you've read CotL, you have a pretty good idea of the story's next logical step.
One thing that stands out about the Lensman books is that it's clear Doc Smith had things well-planned when he started. While the repeated revelation that the supposed big bad isn't at the top of Boskone could have gotten tiresome, it feels rather natural. I also like the introduction of the Black Lensmen. Once again, pay up Green Lantern! Sinestro is a direct analog of the Black Lensmen.
The Lensmen books are actually fairly relevant in today's world. The Galactic Patrol is a lot like the United States and the Boskone, especially in the later stories, are terrorists who strike without warning. I'm sure Smith meant for them to represent the communist threat of the 50's but it still works today.
The end of Children of the Lens was as I expected. The Kinnison children fulfilled their destinies. I've heard that Smith had another story in his head featuring them but it was unpublishable due to the controversial nature. If you've read CotL, you have a pretty good idea of the story's next logical step.
February 24, 2013
Well I've read the whole series now. I enjoyed it a lot but it does show how dated it is. Computers are still people who compute. Sliderules are still in vogue. Nevertheless the stories are told on a truly epic scale spanning multiple galaxies and millions of worlds. Given that's it's early space opera I think it hold up pretty well.
The sociology of the characters is very moral and upright which contrasts with the smuttiness of today. As a person whose life has somewhat spanned both worlds I prefer people of honor to people whose minds only slightly rise above their belly buttons.
A lot of the technology is fun. Hyperspatial tubes, thought screens, presser and tractor beams are all on display as are guided missiles and nuclear weapons by a different name. Great fun seeking Boskone. The series has a eugenics theme which I'm not sure I like but it also gives me some insight into the back stories of other science fiction greats.
There's a flavor of Foundation about the Chronicles of the Lensmen which makes me sure Asimov was a reader of EE doc Smith's epic work. Now I'm off to visit Jack Williamson's Legion of Space.
The sociology of the characters is very moral and upright which contrasts with the smuttiness of today. As a person whose life has somewhat spanned both worlds I prefer people of honor to people whose minds only slightly rise above their belly buttons.
A lot of the technology is fun. Hyperspatial tubes, thought screens, presser and tractor beams are all on display as are guided missiles and nuclear weapons by a different name. Great fun seeking Boskone. The series has a eugenics theme which I'm not sure I like but it also gives me some insight into the back stories of other science fiction greats.
There's a flavor of Foundation about the Chronicles of the Lensmen which makes me sure Asimov was a reader of EE doc Smith's epic work. Now I'm off to visit Jack Williamson's Legion of Space.
September 22, 2009
The scope and scale of this work is truly, TRULY staggering. The action is jam-packed. Smith's nonchalance about some things (such as implicit racism and genocide) are disturbing. If you can get past that, though, this is a good series. Start with book 3, read through 6, then read 1 & 2 (also avoid all introductory matter by Smith). Works much better that way.
March 26, 2013
The second half of this series totally fell apart. You know, I understand that old pulp novels aren't going to be the world's greatest literature...but seriously? This was a chore to get through at times.
unread-fiction
July 5, 2012Based on vol. 1, the language is more than a little dated, feeling a lot like Victorian era writings.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews