Showing results by author "Lester del Rey" in All Categories

This volume is the definitive collection of the best science fiction novellas published between 1929 and 1964, containing 11 great classics. No anthology better captures the birth of science fiction as a literary field. Published in 1973 to honor stories that had appeared before the institution of the Nebula Awards, The Science Fiction Hall of Fame introduced tens of thousands to the wonders of science fiction and was a favorite of libraries across the country.

This superlative collection of futuristic tales explores ground-breaking supernatural themes from the founding heroes of the science fiction genre. The short story form is perfect for capturing the atmospheric tension of these legendary stories.

Bruce Gordon was an ex-fighter, ex-gambler, ex-cop, ex-reporter, and now he was an ex-patriot of Earth. Security shipped him to Mars with a knife, 100 credits, and a yellow card that meant no return.

Think again! We have unearthed from their yellowing pulp pages coffins, six stories that you have probably never heard, and combined them with two indisputable classics for one of the best and freshest anthologies of undead doings you are likely to listen to for a long time to come.

A baker‘s dozen of futuristic and space travel tales await you in this audiobook of short stories, originally published in the science fiction magazine, IF (1960-61). These stories are both a sign of their times and a testament to the imaginative powers of writers in the era between Sputnik and Neil Armstrong’s steps on the moon. Death and Taxes are inevitable, of course, but you’ll also find a (Mind)snake, and maybe even a Garden of Eden within.

FNH Audio presents 10 short stories from the classic era of science fiction....

A baker's dozen of futuristic and space travel tales await you in this audiobook of short stories originally published in the science fiction magazine If, in 1960 and 1961. They are both a sign of their times and a testament to the imaginative powers of writers in the era between Sputnik and Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon. Death and Taxes are inevitable, of course, but you'll also find a (Mind)snake, and maybe even a Garden of Eden within.

This seventh collection of Favorite Science Fiction Stories includes 16 great stories from well-known science fiction writers.

"The Sky Is Falling" is a science fiction classic: Computer engineer Dave Hansen is transported from Earth to a world reminiscent of Ancient Egypt, where the rules of science and physics are replaced by the rules of magic. Hanson was summoned to help save the world's sky from collapsing. The sky is a literal dome that arches above the world, with the sun and stars not massive celestial bodies trillions of miles away, but smaller lights that move about within the dome of the sky.

Lester del Rey was a prolific American science fiction author and editor. In Badge of Infamy, the Earth is controlled by huge and powerful "lobbies." One of the biggest and most powerful is the Medical Lobby. Dr. Daniel Feldman dared to violate one of their rules in order to save a friend's life. As a result, he has become a pariah, shunned by all and forbidden to touch another patient on penalty of death.

This fascinating book is a combination of science fiction and fantasy. There are no “muggles” mentioned in the story, but like the Harry Potter books, The Sky Is Falling takes place in a world where magic is used for everything. When spells are not enough to avoid a catastrophic event, a human is plucked from our world in the hope that his non-magical skills may save the day. A twist of fate, a shared name and a tricky “revival” lead to startling consequences all around.

Here is an anthology of exceptional science-fiction short stories, including "Helen O'Loy" by Lester del Rey; "Your Cruel Face" by Craig Strete; "Into Every Rain, a Little Life Must Fall" by Craig Strete; "The Council of Drones" by W. K. Sonnemann; and "Twilight" by John W. Campbell.

The Company was a powerful, efficient, and monstrous insurance organization that controlled the entire world, scientifically regulating everything in life: war, epidemics, one-a-day food pills and test-tube sex...all through the use of its patented, terrifying human deep-freeze vault. Claims Adjuster Wills, a great believer in the Company, begins to have second thoughts when he meets beautiful and sorrowful Rena, whose radical father lies in a frozen subterranean vault.

Computer engineer Dave Hansen is transported from Earth to a world with similarities to Ancient Egypt, where science and physics are replaced by the rules of magic. Hanson was summoned to help save the world's sky from collapsing.The sky is a literal dome that arches above the world, with the sun and stars not massive celestial bodies trillions of miles away, but smaller lights that move about within the dome of the sky.

In Victory, one of del Rey's best short novels, a victorious captain returns to his home planet after an alien war and finds that victory has a very steep price and that Earthmen seem to have suddenly all become cowards.

"Let'em Breathe Space" is a science fiction story by Lester del Rey. Excerpt: Eighteen men and two women in the closed world of a space ship for five months can only spell tension and trouble - but in this case, the atmosphere was literally poisoned. Five months out from Earth, we were half-way to Saturn and three-quarters of the way to murder. At least, I was. I was sick of the feuding, the worries and the pettiness of the other nineteen aboard. My stomach heaved at the bad food, the eternal smell of people, and the constant sound of nagging and complaints.

"Victory" (1955) is a science fiction story by Lester del Rey. Excerpt: It seemed Earth was a rich, and undefended planet in a warring, hating galaxy. Things can be deceptive though; children playing can be quite rough - but that ain't war, friend! From above came the sound of men singing. Captain Duke O'Neill stopped clipping his heavy black beard to listen. It had been a long time since he'd heard such a sound - longer than the time since he’d last had a bath or seen a woman. It had never been the singing type of war.

The withdrawal of Earth's 5th army from the face of the Red Planet offers few answers to rumors of legends of past empires, myths of a race of Vikings, and a greatness now lost in history. Confounding the Sergeant Major organizing the retreat from desert strongholds is the General's adjutant - a quixotic character who quotes Ecclesiastes, and hints he knows more than he’s letting on.

Postwar Earth is not only crumbling, but it's inhabited by "The Blues"...working class poor who didn't belong to the elite who escaped to the moon. And...they're all men. A female ruling class runs the moon, but every once in a while they have to descend to maintain the equipment...and this time, one gets captured, only to find she unwittingly aids the wave of ships being prepared to invade the moon.

A good Service non-com will keep his nose clean of politics. And the Sergeant-Major of the 5th Command is a good non-com. When word comes from Earth that there is a new Emperor and the 5th is being recalled to Earth, after ten generations on Mars, he knows it's smart to just salute the flag and follow orders.