Triplanetary: A Tale of Cosmic Adventure (Lensman Series, Book 1)

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Summary: A GREAT SERIES FROM A VENERATED MASTER OF EARLY SF
Review: "DOC" SMITH, IN MY OPINION, IS THE MASTER OF ADVENTURE IN SCIENCE FICTION. MUCH OF THE SF TODAY COULD BENEFIT FROM THE "SENSE OF WONDER" WHICH IS CONVEYED IN HIS STORIES. I FERVENTLY RECOMMEND THE "LENSMEN" SERIES AND WONDER ONE THING: "WHEN WILL THEY REPUBLISH THE SKYLARK SERIES?"

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Summary: Simply. One of the best vintage science fiction books.
Review: "Triplanetary" shows the beginning struggle between to forces of good (Earth) and Evil (Boskone). Throughout the book, the line of the Kinnisons are maintained with diligence by the Mentors (Arisian's). "Triplanetary" also provides a look at the eternal struggle between the Eddorian (which hates all lifeforms other than themselves) and the Arisians. Ultimately, it is revealed that all the known races of the universe has been cultured by the Arisians to form a weapon of sufficient power to overwhelm and destroy the Eddorians.

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Summary: The first of the Lensman books....
Review: ....and adventuresome, fast-paced, a romp, a space opera classic, and marred throughout by Smith's ham-handed addiction to dramatic adjectives and cheesy expostulations. These were fun to read when I was a boy. Then I grew up.

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Summary: The seminal space opra.
Review: A roller coaster ride from the first page that is as fresh today as it was when written. Re-reading this brings me back to that first time that I couldn't go to sleep because I just had to finish one more chapter. It's like reminiscing with an old friend. The only problem is that we can't get Old Earth Books to reprint the series fast enough.

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Summary: The Greatest Space Opera Has Returned!
Review: After being out of print for nearly a decade the six book Lensman series is returning. The first two titles are now available as trade paperback reproductions of the original Fantasy Press hardcovers. The remaining four will be available sometime early 1998 - be patient! J. Michael Straczynski has written us: "The Lensman books . . . are the books I cut my teeth on as a fan, and together they comprise one of the true milestones in science fiction literature. Let me be plainer: BUY THESE BOOKS. You won't regret it." Plus accolades from: Isaac Asimov, Stephen Baxter, Marion Zimmer Bradley, C J Cherryth, John Clute, Nicola Griffith, Mike Resnick, Brian Stableford, Allen Steele, David Weber. . . and others! So do as JMS says - buy these books!

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Summary: War between two alien races...
Review: and everybody else will become a tool in this war. Within this first book of the Lensman seires we learn about how two galaxies slam into each other and the races, the Eddore and the Arisia, meet. E.E. Smith shows us how, over time, the two super-races use others while slowly developing their own powers.
Within this book is the seed for so many later stories. Star Wars, Star Trek and Babylon Five seem to have been lifed from the pages yet 'Triplanetary' itself seems to be a mixture of bad science AND a bad story.
I am sure many fans of this author will get mad at me, pointing out that I am comparing his work to later authors and stories, but I am not. I am comparing it to works from the same period and EARLIER. H.G. Wells, Olaf Stapledon, H.P.Lovecraft and Karel Capek are just a few authors I can name who seem to be able to make believable stories. They may have some flaws but they know how to write over them. Bad science is cancelled out by a good story or a weak story is held up by great science or interesting characters.
'Triplanetary' has only gotten worse with age. It seems like a story based on an old sci-fi serial. Only buy it if you like techno-babble, fantasy sci-fi or just plain fantasy with some science tossed in.
One chapter is about Atlantis! If this was a film MST3K would of REFUSED to use it.
It was turned into anime. Maybe that version is better as I have heard it has little or nothing to do with the books, besides the title.

Rating:
Summary: War between two alien races...
Review: and everybody else will become a tool in this war. Within this first book of the Lensman seires we learn about how two galaxies slam into each other and the races, the Eddore and the Arisia, meet. E.E. Smith shows us how, over time, the two super-races use others while slowly developing their own powers.
Within this book is the seed for so many later stories. Star Wars, Star Trek and Babylon Five seem to have been lifed from the pages yet 'Triplanetary' itself seems to be a mixture of bad science AND a bad story.
I am sure many fans of this author will get mad at me, pointing out that I am comparing his work to later authors and stories, but I am not. I am comparing it to works from the same period and EARLIER. H.G. Wells, Olaf Stapledon, H.P.Lovecraft and Karel Capek are just a few authors I can name who seem to be able to make believable stories. They may have some flaws but they know how to write over them. Bad science is cancelled out by a good story or a weak story is held up by great science or interesting characters.
'Triplanetary' has only gotten worse with age. It seems like a story based on an old sci-fi serial. Only buy it if you like techno-babble, fantasy sci-fi or just plain fantasy with some science tossed in.
One chapter is about Atlantis! If this was a film MST3K would of REFUSED to use it.
It was turned into anime. Maybe that version is better as I have heard it has little or nothing to do with the books, besides the title.

Rating:
Summary: Wahoo! The Lensmen are back.
Review: Doc Smith's classics are back in print, so bring your sense of wonder. I prefer the Lensman series to his more melodramatic Skylark series and this is the intro to the classic that finished 2nd to Foundation in the best series category years ago. Starting near the beginning of the universe, the story hops from distant galaxies to Atlantis, Rome, and the world wars. It shows the ages old conflict between Arrissa (Good with a capital G) and Eddore (Evil with a capital E) and sets it agains the backdrop of human history. We meet the Kinnisons, whose descendants will carry on the struggle against Eddore in the years (and sequels) to come. Although not as riproaringly fast paced as the rest of the series, Triplanetary serves as a handy intro to the series and sets the stage for adventures where solar systems and galaxies will be spanned in seconds. Pick it up and get ready for some good old time space opera--this is the 1st of the sciece fiction style that culminates in Star Wars.

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Summary: Space opera! Old-time SF! Star Wars? Who!
Review: E.E.Smith's "Triplanetary series was my first experience with Science-Fiction some(Ye Gods!)45 years ago. Everything is larger than life in Triplanetary. People have unheard of abilities. The "Good" seems of a better quality. "Evil" is universe-threatening. The scope of things is extended. The cast of characters clutters up human history from Atlantis to...... Better not tell the ending. Better not mess with the red-headed men and women characters in this!!! A great read. makes you think that human beings can overcome anything! I think that this series would lend itself wonderfully to a "Star Wars" type series of movies. The mind is the great weopon here and the ability to solve problems. America could use the inspiration from such movies.

Rating:
Summary: Space opera! Old-time SF! Star Wars? Who!
Review: E.E.Smith's "Triplanetary series was my first experience with Science-Fiction some(Ye Gods!)45 years ago. Everything is larger than life in Triplanetary. People have unheard of abilities. The "Good" seems of a better quality. "Evil" is universe-threatening. The scope of things is extended. The cast of characters clutters up human history from Atlantis to...... Better not tell the ending. Better not mess with the red-headed men and women characters in this!!! A great read. makes you think that human beings can overcome anything! I think that this series would lend itself wonderfully to a "Star Wars" type series of movies. The mind is the great weopon here and the ability to solve problems. America could use the inspiration from such movies.