This eBook edition has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. The Status Civilization concerns Will Barrent, a man who finds himself, without memory of any crime or, indeed, of his previous life, being shipped across space to the planet Omega. Omega, used to imprison extreme offenders, has a hierarchical society of extreme brutality, where the only way to advance (and avoid dying) is to commit an endless series of crimes. The average life expectancy from time of arrival on Omega is three years. Barrent attempts to survive and escape, so he can return to Earth to clear himself of the accusations against him.
This is a classic science fiction novel by Robert Sheckley, a Hugo and Nebula Award nominated author. This story follows Will Barnett, a man convicted of a crime on Earth, who is memory-washed and sentenced to a prison term on the planet Omega, from which there is seemingly no escape. However, he does return to Earth and finds it full of subtle terrors more insidious than those of the ruthless prison planet he left behind This work is part of our Vintage Sci-Fi Classics Series, a series in which we are republishing some of the best stories in the genre by some of its most acclaimed authors, such as Isaac Asimov, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Robert Sheckley. Each publication is complete with a short introduction to the history of science fiction.
A ship heading from Earth to Athena, a planet 500 light years away, is suddenly attacked by the Gerns, an alien empire in its expansion phase. People aboard are divided by the invaders into Acceptables and Rejects. The Acceptables would become slave labor for the Gerns on Athena, and the Rejects are forced ashore on the nearest 'Earth-like' planet, called Ragnarok. The Gerns say they will return for the Rejects, but the Rejects quickly realise that that isn't going to happen. Ragnarok has a gravity 1.5 times that of Earth, and is populated by deadly, aggressive creatures and it contains little in the way of usable metal ores. This, combined with a terrible deadly fever that kills in hours, more than decimates the population.
On his twenty-fifth birthday, Diesel Lagerford meets "Twenty-Six," a one-year-older version of himself. Twenty-Six tells Diesel that there are others like them in parallel timelines, and they can visit each other using a machine called a T-box. He introduces Diesel to Lilah Spencer, the person who maintains the T-box, and the two fall in love. But when he travels up the timeline, Diesel learns that Lilah will soon die under suspicious circumstances. Devastated, he joins his brothers in a race to save her life. But can they find the answer before it's too late? And will their solution play out over time in the way they had expected?
The Ultimate SF Collection: 150 Classics is an unparalleled compilation that traverses the broad spectrum of science fiction, showcasing the rich diversity and profound depth of this genre. From the proto-science fiction elements of Mary Shelley's groundbreaking work to the complex social commentaries of H.G. Wells, and the pioneering space operas of E.E. Smith, this anthology celebrates the multifaceted nature of science fiction. It navigates through various literary styles, from adventure-laden narratives and speculative technological wonders to dystopian visions and philosophical explorations, offering readers a comprehensive journey through the evolution of the genre. Standout pieces include timeless classics that have become cornerstones of science fiction, reflective of the era's technological aspirations and societal fears. The contributing authors and editors, a constellation of literary luminaries, bring together an extraordinary range of perspectives, each infusing the collection with unique insights grounded in their distinct historical and cultural contexts. Authors like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells are credited with the genesis of speculative fiction, while pioneers like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allan Poe introduced elements that would define the genre. This anthology not only highlights seminal works that contributed to the development of science fiction but also aligns with various literary movements, from Romanticism to Modernism, enriching the readers' understanding of its thematic diversity. The Ultimate SF Collection: 150 Classics offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the expansive universe of science fiction. It is an essential read for aficionados and newcomers alike, providing a broad compilation that celebrates the genre's ability to question the known and imagine the unknown. This anthology encourages readers to explore the depths of human imagination, the ethical dilemmas of science and technology, and the endless possibilities of alternative realities. It is an invitation to traverse time, space, and dimension through a literary lens, fostering a deeper appreciation of the genre's contribution to culture and society.
DigiCat presents to you this unique and meticulously edited Sci-Fi collection: H. G. Wells: The Time Machine The War of the Worlds The Invisible Man... Jules Verne: Journey to the Center of the Earth 20.000 Leagues under the Sea... Mary Shelley: Frankenstein The Last Man Edwin A. Abbott: Flatland Jack London: Iron Heel The Scarlet Plague... R. L. Stevenson: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde George MacDonald: Lilith H. Rider Haggard: King Solomon's Mines She William H. Hodgson: The Night Land... Edgar Allan Poe: Some Words with a Mummy Mellonta Tauta... H. P. Lovecraft: The Cats of Ulthar Celephaïs Edward Bellamy: Looking Backward: 2000–1887 Equality... Mark Twain: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court George Orwell: 1984 Animal Farm Aldous Huxley: Brave New World Sinclair Lewis: It Can't Happen Here Yevgeny Zamyatin: We Owen Gregory: Meccania the Super-State Margaret Cavendish: The Blazing World Jonathan Swift: Gulliver's Travels William Morris: News from Nowhere Samuel Butler: Erewhon Edward Bulwer-Lytton: The Coming Race James Fenimore Cooper: The Monikins Charlotte Gilman: Herland... Hugh Benson: Lord of the World Fred M. White: The Doom of London Ignatius Donnelly: Caesar's Column Ernest Bramah: The Secret of the League Arthur D. Vinton: Looking Further Backward Robert Cromie: The Crack of Doom Anthony Trollope: The Fixed Period Cleveland Moffett: The Conquest of America Richard Jefferies: After London Milo Hastings: City of Endless Night Francis Stevens: The Heads of Cerberus Percy Greg: Across the Zodiac David Lindsay: A Voyage to Arcturus Stanley G. Weinbaum: Stories from the Solar System Edward Everett Hale: The Brick Moon H. Beam Piper: Terro-Human Future History Paratime Police Abraham Merritt: The Moon Pool... Edgar Wallace: The Green Rust... Otis Adelbert Kline: Venus Trilogy Mars Series Malcolm Jameson: Captain Bullard Series C. S. Lewis: Space Trilogy Garrett P. Serviss: Edison's Conquest of Mars... Arthur Conan Doyle: Professor Challenger Francis Bacon: New Atlantis C. J. Cutcliffe Hyne: The Lost Continent Lewis Grassic Gibbon: Three Go Back
This utopian sci-fi boxed set comprises 4 novels and 6 stories from one of the genre's pioneers Edward Bellamy, including classics such as "Looking Backward: 2000–1887" and "Equality". Novels: Looking Backward: 2000–1887 Equality Dr. Heidenhoff's Process Miss Ludington's Sister Short Stories: The Blindman's World The Cold Snap A Summer Evening's Dream With The Eyes Shut At Pinney's Ranch To Whom This May Come
For all its concern with change in the present and future, science fiction is deeply rooted in the past and, surprisingly, engages especially deeply with the ancient world. Indeed, both as an area in which the meaning of "classics" is actively transformed and as an open-ended set of texts whose own 'classic' status is a matter of ongoing debate, science fiction reveals much about the roles played by ancient classics in modern times. Classical Traditions in Science Fiction is the first collection in English dedicated to the study of science fiction as a site of classical receptions, offering a much-needed mapping of that important cultural and intellectual terrain. This volume discusses a wide variety of representative examples from both classical antiquity and the past four hundred years of science fiction, beginning with science fiction's "rosy-fingered dawn" and moving toward the other-worldly literature of the present day. As it makes its way through the eras of science fiction, Classical Traditions in Science Fiction exposes the many levels on which science fiction engages the ideas of the ancient world, from minute matters of language and structure to the larger thematic and philosophical concerns.
Intergalactic Stories: 60+ SF Classics in One Edition, illustrated and compiled from the pens of some of the most celebrated authors in science fiction, traverses the broad spectrum of humanity's outermost fantasies and fears. The collection showcases an array of literary styles, from the pioneering explorations of space operas to the intricate web of speculative science fiction, providing a panoramic view of the genre's evolution over several decades. Noteworthy for both its diversity and significance, the anthology presents an opportunity to engage with seminal works that have shaped the contours of modern science fiction, capturing the imagination with tales of interstellar adventure, dystopian futures, and the boundless curiosity of the human spirit. The contributing authors and editors, including Clifford D. Simak, Poul Anderson, Frederik Pohl, Damon Knight, and others, bring a rich tapestry of backgrounds to the collection. Their collective work aligns with various historical, cultural, and literary movements, from the golden age of science fiction to the more nuanced, philosophical undertones of the genre's later years. Through their diverse narratives, these authors contribute to a holistic exploration of what it means to venture beyond the known, blending tales of alien encounters, time travel, and cosmic wars with profound questions about humanity's place in the universe. For aficionados of science fiction and newcomers alike, Intergalactic Stories: 60+ SF Classics in One Edition offers an unparalleled journey through the myriad landscapes of speculative fiction. The anthology serves not only as an educational tool, enlightening readers on the genre's historical development and thematic richness but also as an invitation to witness the dialogue between some of its most influential voices. This collection promises a captivating exploration of the endless possibilities that science fiction represents, making it an essential addition to any literary library.
