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Simon Rack #2
Starcross
The planet Aleph is overcrowded, its rulers inbred and decadent. The planet Gimel is smaller, totalitarian and just as overpopulated. They both want Virrona.
Which means that an interstellar war is brewing. The Federation would like to send an experienced diplomat to defuse the powder keg situation threatening the Omicron Galaxy. But that's not possible.
The one Federation man on the spot is Simon Rack...
The enemy leaders tried to ignore him. They try to threaten him. They try to bribe him.
Finally they try to kill him.
But Simon Rack is a professional.
And he's hard to kill.
Cover by Bruce Pennington.
Which means that an interstellar war is brewing. The Federation would like to send an experienced diplomat to defuse the powder keg situation threatening the Omicron Galaxy. But that's not possible.
The one Federation man on the spot is Simon Rack...
The enemy leaders tried to ignore him. They try to threaten him. They try to bribe him.
Finally they try to kill him.
But Simon Rack is a professional.
And he's hard to kill.
Cover by Bruce Pennington.
- GenresScience Fiction
155 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1974
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Laurence James
46 books3 followersAka James Axler, L.J. Coburn (with John Harvey), James Darke, Arthur Frazier (with Kenneth Bulmer), Charles C Garrett (with Angus Wells), Richard Haigh, William M. James (with Terry Harknett and John Harvey), Neil Langholm (with Kenneth Bulmer), John J. McLaglen (with John Harvey), James McPhee, James W Marvin, Jonathan May, Klaus Netzen, Mick Norman, Andrew Quiller (with Kenneth Bulmer and Angus Wells)
Laurence James was a British Science Fiction writer, especially known for his involvement with the "Deathlands" series.
James originally worked in publishing other people's books. In 1972 he embarked on the career of "a full-time freelance author and journalist". For several years thereafter he published short science fiction stories in both Britain and the U.S.
In 1974 he published his first full-length novel, "Earth Lies Sleeping" - the first in a series focused on the exploits of a galactic secret agent named Simon Rack. At the time he was living with his wife and their three children at an east Herefordshire village.
Also in 1974 James' publisher at the time, Sphere Books, provided the reading public with a list of "what Laurence James likes" - including Alf Tupper, Wilson and Beraddock, old films, old comics, and Rock 'n' roll. Among what he disliked were suits, gherkins and earwigs.
Thereafter, James embarked on a highly prolific career, publishing dozens of novels under his own name as well as the pen names James Darke, James McPhee, and James Axler. His writings included books for the series "Dark Future," "Earth Blood," "Galactic Security Service" and "Survival 2000," as well as a number of independent novels and short stories.
His biggest success was the Post apocalyptic "Deathlands" series. "Pilgrimage to Hell" which launched the series was started in 1986 by Christopher Lowder, completed by James and published under the name James Axler.
James then went on to write solely no less than 32 novels in this series, attracting a significant fandom, up to and including Eclipse at Noon' in 1995.
Due to failing health, James was on that year forced to leave the series. He wrote one last novel, Crucible of Time that appeared in 1998.
He died in February, 2000. After his death, "James Axler" remained a "House name" which continued to be used by others. In general, "Deathlands" fans consider his books to be the best of the series.
Laurence James was a British Science Fiction writer, especially known for his involvement with the "Deathlands" series.
James originally worked in publishing other people's books. In 1972 he embarked on the career of "a full-time freelance author and journalist". For several years thereafter he published short science fiction stories in both Britain and the U.S.
In 1974 he published his first full-length novel, "Earth Lies Sleeping" - the first in a series focused on the exploits of a galactic secret agent named Simon Rack. At the time he was living with his wife and their three children at an east Herefordshire village.
Also in 1974 James' publisher at the time, Sphere Books, provided the reading public with a list of "what Laurence James likes" - including Alf Tupper, Wilson and Beraddock, old films, old comics, and Rock 'n' roll. Among what he disliked were suits, gherkins and earwigs.
Thereafter, James embarked on a highly prolific career, publishing dozens of novels under his own name as well as the pen names James Darke, James McPhee, and James Axler. His writings included books for the series "Dark Future," "Earth Blood," "Galactic Security Service" and "Survival 2000," as well as a number of independent novels and short stories.
His biggest success was the Post apocalyptic "Deathlands" series. "Pilgrimage to Hell" which launched the series was started in 1986 by Christopher Lowder, completed by James and published under the name James Axler.
James then went on to write solely no less than 32 novels in this series, attracting a significant fandom, up to and including Eclipse at Noon' in 1995.
Due to failing health, James was on that year forced to leave the series. He wrote one last novel, Crucible of Time that appeared in 1998.
He died in February, 2000. After his death, "James Axler" remained a "House name" which continued to be used by others. In general, "Deathlands" fans consider his books to be the best of the series.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 6, 2014
I admit that I read this a long time ago and found it a rather slack bit of space opera but I think I might go look for it on eBay and give it another go.
June 2, 2012
Enjoyable series
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews