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The Trouble with Tycho and Cosmic Engineers
Adventurers journey into the foreboding unknown regions of outer space in these two classic science fiction tales from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author.
The Trouble with Tycho
Prospecting on the moon is grim, dangerous, and usually unrewarding. Most greenhorns don’t know that until after they arrive, and Chris Jackson is no exception. He put everything he owns, and then some, into this venture, and he’ll be ruined if he fails. Jackson’s last chance at success is hidden in the uncharted crater Tycho—where three expeditions have already disappeared. Jackson, a beautiful immigrant, and a visiting doctor set out to find their fortunes . . . and discover whether the terrifying rumors of what lurks within Tycho are true.
Cosmic Engineers
“Upon you and you alone must rest the fate of the universe. You are the only ones to save it.” Thus spoke the mysterious Cosmic Engineers to a small group of human beings on the rim of the Solar System. Courageously journeying beyond uncharted stars, somewhere in the vastness of the galaxy, they will meet the greatest challenge of their lives—the catastrophic fury of the Hellhounds of Space.
The Trouble with Tycho
Prospecting on the moon is grim, dangerous, and usually unrewarding. Most greenhorns don’t know that until after they arrive, and Chris Jackson is no exception. He put everything he owns, and then some, into this venture, and he’ll be ruined if he fails. Jackson’s last chance at success is hidden in the uncharted crater Tycho—where three expeditions have already disappeared. Jackson, a beautiful immigrant, and a visiting doctor set out to find their fortunes . . . and discover whether the terrifying rumors of what lurks within Tycho are true.
Cosmic Engineers
“Upon you and you alone must rest the fate of the universe. You are the only ones to save it.” Thus spoke the mysterious Cosmic Engineers to a small group of human beings on the rim of the Solar System. Courageously journeying beyond uncharted stars, somewhere in the vastness of the galaxy, they will meet the greatest challenge of their lives—the catastrophic fury of the Hellhounds of Space.
- GenresScience Fiction
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2022
About the author
Clifford D. Simak
977 books1,089 followers"He was honored by fans with three Hugo awards and by colleagues with one Nebula award and was named the third Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) in 1977." (Wikipedia)
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford...
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford...
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 23, 2026
REVIEW OF TYCHO NOVELLA ONLY
This story has a quaint 1950's 'gee-whiz, we are on the moon, having an adventure' style. There's an optimistic self-awareness that perhaps people who do the first mining will have, but it does distract from the plot. The main character is a bit too cool, all the time. He's got everything to lose but decides to do the right thing and help a fellow-miner make a score. They both escape death. It would have been so easy to cheat him, but he gets his share. I actually like the optimism, and I guess I believe good stuff flows from treating people well, too. But I don's expect it works all the time.
Simak wrote very clearly. The piece is easy to read. It is not muddied the way Heinlein can so often be.
I suppose I have become a bit of a Simak fan. I have read Waystation and liked that, too.
This story has a quaint 1950's 'gee-whiz, we are on the moon, having an adventure' style. There's an optimistic self-awareness that perhaps people who do the first mining will have, but it does distract from the plot. The main character is a bit too cool, all the time. He's got everything to lose but decides to do the right thing and help a fellow-miner make a score. They both escape death. It would have been so easy to cheat him, but he gets his share. I actually like the optimism, and I guess I believe good stuff flows from treating people well, too. But I don's expect it works all the time.
Simak wrote very clearly. The piece is easy to read. It is not muddied the way Heinlein can so often be.
I suppose I have become a bit of a Simak fan. I have read Waystation and liked that, too.
Displaying 1 of 1 review