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The Early Williamson
1st edition paperback, vg++
- GenresScience Fiction
199 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
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17 people want to read
About the author
Jack Williamson
545 books168 followersJohn Stewart Williamson who wrote as Jack Williamson (and occasionally under the pseudonym Will Stewart) was a U.S. writer often referred to as the "Dean of Science Fiction".
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 17, 2018
I was a bit disappointed with this work as it is aimed at adults rather than a younger generation. I bought this because I wanted to see if it was anything like "Trapped in Space" by the same author but sadly this collection of stories did not have that endearing charm at all.
This book consists of eleven short stories so I will give a brief review of each.
1. The Metal Man - This story reminded me a lot of H.G. Wells' story "The Plattner Story."
2. The Girl from Mars - Somewhat creepy. The narrator's method of doing away with the Martians was probably the best outcome at least for the human race in the long run, even if he was upset about what happened to his adopted daughter. I don't see how she or the foster father could have remained happy in the long run.
3. The Cosmic Express - Seemed to be a shorter echo of H.G. Wells' "A Story of the Days to Come" where an attempt for over pampered future citizens to return to a more simplistic way of life seriously backfires.
4. The Meteor Girl - This was somewhat like "The Remarkable Case of Davidson's Eyes" by H.G. Wells and was one of the better stories in this book. In this case, the two main characters witness a disaster in the future and attempt to retrieve the situation before it gets worse - Fortunately for all, they succeed.
5. Through the Purple Cloud - Another harrowing story involving entrance into an otherworldly place - Strongly reminds me of "The Plattner Story" by H.G. Wells even more than "The Metal Man.".
6. The Doom from Planet 4 - An attempted Martian invasion of Earth is thwarted by the bravery of a young man and a young woman on a remote island - This one was quite good.
7. Twelve Hours to Live - This is an old story cast into science fiction raiment where the character is given a chance to open one of two boxes which will mean he'll either live or die...!
8. The Plutonian Terror - Hmmm...The enemy in theis case is rather like the one encountered in "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeline L'Engle.
9. Salvage in Space - When a space traveller boards an abandoned spaceship, there is evidence that the crew has come to a rather unpleasant end by something alien aboard the spacecraft - And it might claim another victim!
10. We Ain't Beggars" - Unbelievable pride which won't accept help from others costing a needless end to life of a poverty stricken boy. No SF in that story.
11. Dead Star Station - An excellent climax where an overlooked inventor makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the crew of a stricken spacecraft.
This book consists of eleven short stories so I will give a brief review of each.
1. The Metal Man - This story reminded me a lot of H.G. Wells' story "The Plattner Story."
2. The Girl from Mars - Somewhat creepy. The narrator's method of doing away with the Martians was probably the best outcome at least for the human race in the long run, even if he was upset about what happened to his adopted daughter. I don't see how she or the foster father could have remained happy in the long run.
3. The Cosmic Express - Seemed to be a shorter echo of H.G. Wells' "A Story of the Days to Come" where an attempt for over pampered future citizens to return to a more simplistic way of life seriously backfires.
4. The Meteor Girl - This was somewhat like "The Remarkable Case of Davidson's Eyes" by H.G. Wells and was one of the better stories in this book. In this case, the two main characters witness a disaster in the future and attempt to retrieve the situation before it gets worse - Fortunately for all, they succeed.
5. Through the Purple Cloud - Another harrowing story involving entrance into an otherworldly place - Strongly reminds me of "The Plattner Story" by H.G. Wells even more than "The Metal Man.".
6. The Doom from Planet 4 - An attempted Martian invasion of Earth is thwarted by the bravery of a young man and a young woman on a remote island - This one was quite good.
7. Twelve Hours to Live - This is an old story cast into science fiction raiment where the character is given a chance to open one of two boxes which will mean he'll either live or die...!
8. The Plutonian Terror - Hmmm...The enemy in theis case is rather like the one encountered in "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeline L'Engle.
9. Salvage in Space - When a space traveller boards an abandoned spaceship, there is evidence that the crew has come to a rather unpleasant end by something alien aboard the spacecraft - And it might claim another victim!
10. We Ain't Beggars" - Unbelievable pride which won't accept help from others costing a needless end to life of a poverty stricken boy. No SF in that story.
11. Dead Star Station - An excellent climax where an overlooked inventor makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the crew of a stricken spacecraft.
August 21, 2024
A cracking collection of early short fiction from one of the masters of Golden Age science fiction. A must-read for anyone interested in SF from the 'sense of wonder' Pulp SF era.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews