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

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.

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.

Part Fistful of Dollars, part The Martian, The Exile is set 150 years in the future as Mars, a barely habitable world, struggles with widespread corruption and brutality. In a desperate bid to find a way home to Earth, Bryce—a disgraced federal agent exiled from Earth—finds herself forced to join the local police force, while navigating dangers from every angle as she discovers there is little difference between criminals and law enforcement in this frontier world.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

After a tragic accident at a construction site takes his life, Dave Hanson finds himself resurrected in a fantastical realm where magic exists and the very sky is crumbling. Tasked with the monumental challenge of restoring balance to this chaotic world, Dave must navigate his new reality and uncover his own purpose. Can he rise to the occasion and save both this enchanted land and his newfound existence? (Summary by Karen Savage)

The Earth stands defenseless, a tempting, succulent prize waiting for the warlike civilizations lurking in the cosmos to reach out and claim it. But undefended takes on a different meaning in this thrilling tale. Humanity has spread across the stars, colonizing numerous worlds and discovering races that share startling similarities with us. However, when these human colonies face brutal assaults from truly alien civilizations, Earth turns a blind eye, maintaining a façade of neutrality that veils cowardice and betrayal. This gripping narrative uncovers the motivations behind Earths ...

Lester del Rey (1915 – 1993) was a prominent figure of the Golden Age of science fiction, known for his close ties to John W. Campbell Jr. and Astounding Science Fiction magazine. He also established Del Rey Books, a beloved publishing label that he co-edited with his wife, Judy-Lynn. In Victory, del Rey transports us to an undefended Earth caught in the crossfire of a galactic war. This gripping tale first graced the pages of the August 1955 issue of Astounding Science Fiction. (Summary by Gregg Margarite)

Daniel Feldman was a doctor once. He made the mistake of saving a friend's life in violation of Medical Lobby rules. Now, he's a pariah, shunned by all, forbidden to touch another patient.But things are more loose on Mars. There, Doc Feldman is welcomed by the colonists, even as he's hunted by the authorities. But, when he discovers a Martian plague may soon wipe out humanity on two planets, the authorities begin hunting him for a different reason altogether.Read by Steven Wilson.

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.

"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.