Garrett P. Serviss' Science Fiction: Three Interplanetary Adventures Including the Unnauthorised Sequel to H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds-Edison's Con

by Garrett P. Serviss

Three classic science fiction adventure novels H. G. Wells brought his immortal 'War of the Worlds' to a conclusion with the defeat of the Martian invaders destroyed by the smallest of earth creatures-the bacteria. The aliens may have failed to dominate the earth, but they left it devastated. Serviss picked up the tale where Wells left off and penned 'Edison's Invasion of Mars'-his unauthorised sequel based on a simple principle-IT'S PAYBACK TIME! The men of Earth decide to take the battle to the Red Planet itself in this thrilling space fantasy which will be essential reading for anyone for whom the original was just not enough. In the second novel, 'A Columbus of Space' the action turns to the planet Venus. A reluctant crew rocket through space to a strange world complete with Amazon women, apemen and giant man-eating spiders-all essential ingredients for a vintage space romp. In 'The Moon Metal', a unique and incredibly precious metal is being secretly mined and released to an eager world market. But where is this mine and why is it such a closely guarded secret? Perhaps its origin is not of this world! Those who enjoy science fantasy from the period that brought forth the Edgar Rice Burroughs stories of interplanetary adventure will find many enjoyable pages to turn in this collection of vintage SF greats.

408 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2007

About the author

Garrett Putman Serviss was an American astronomer, popularizer of astronomy, and early science fiction writer. He majored in science at Cornell and in 1876 joined the staff of the The New York Sun newspaper, working as a journalist until 1892. Serviss showed a talent for explaining scientific details in a way that made them clear to the ordinary reader, leading Andrew Carnegie to invite him to deliver The Urania Lectures in 1894 on astronomy, cosmology, geology, and related matters. Serviss toured the United States for over two years delivering these lectures. He also wrote a syndicated newspaper column devoted to astronomy and other sciences.

Eight of his books are devoted to astronomy. He also wrote six works of fiction in his lifetime, all of which would today be classified as science fiction.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrett_...]

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I thought it was silly. Now I think it is just outdated and not up to par with Jules Verne Do not expect anything near scientific accuracy. Indeed, expect nonsense.

[Maik Civeira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Garret P Serviss era científico y colaborador de Thomas Alva Edison y escribió esta novela para exaltar al inventor, a los Estados Unidos, a la raza blanca, a la civilización occidental y al imperialismo (pfff, gringos).

¿La historia? Después de sobrevivir a la invasión marciana, los países de la Tierra, bajo el liderazgo de los Estados Unidos (¿quién si no?), deciden emprender una expedición punitiva contra el Planeta Rojo. Edison encabeza la expedición, con ayuda de sus nuevos inventos: naves eléctricas que pueden viajar por el espacio. Después de algunas peripecias, los terrícolas llegan a Marte y acometen un espantoso genocidio contra la población de Marte. ¡Yeah!

El mensaje de Wells era: “¡Miren, hombres y mujeres del mundo! Tengamos humildad: no somos nada, no somos la más grande creación del universo, sino un montón de animalitos con delirios de grandeza. Pongámonos en el lugar de los otros, de los débiles, de los sojuzgados… Empecemos a tratarnos los unos a los otros con mayor humildad y misericordia. Tengamos compasión y comprensión por nuestros hermanos animales…”

El mensaje de Serviss es: “Yeeee-ha! We’re America! We’re gonna kick all your asses, because we’re the coolest country in the world and we have Jesus on our side! Here we come, Martians! Losing a war? Ha! That’s never going to happen to us!! Yeee-ha! God bless America!!” (pfff, gringos).