Showing results by author "H Beam Piper" in All Categories

Sci Fi Shorts is a collection of classic science fiction stories from the golden age of space stories. This group of five unabridged short stories by various authors covers such adventures as space-going disasters, culture-shocked Martians, minds being stolen, alien flying cities and ancient artefacts being discovered in the far future.

FNH Audio present an unabridged reading of The Keeper. Raud is the Keeper, the holder of a sacred duty that has passed to him down through the generations since the sky was filled with starships. When men from a distant planet come to visit Raud, his life changes forever, and his duty calls him to take up his rifle and hunt his fellow man.

Since logic derives from postulates, it never has, and never will, change a postulate. And a religious belief is a system of postulates...so how can a man fight a native superstition with logic in order to save the inhabitants of an entire planet? A classic science fiction novelette by H. Beam Piper, first published in Analog Science Fact-Science Fiction, in 1960.

H. Beam Piper was one of the classic writers of science fiction's Golden Age. Among his most famous creations are the "Little Fuzzy" novels and the "Paratime" alternate history series. This volume collects all six of Piper's short stories and novellas in the Paratime universe, including the classic tales "He Walked around the Horses", "Police Operation", and "Time Crime".

H. Beam Piper (1904‚Aì1964) was a pioneering American science fiction author renowned for his imaginative storytelling. He crafted a multitude of short stories and several captivating novels, with his most celebrated works being the extensive Terro-Human Future History series and a fascinating collection of Paratime alternate history tales. (Summary from Wikipedia)

In todays world, theres a growing sentiment that places blame on scientists for the chaos of war. But let‚As explore this idea further What if the responsibility extends to book-learnin itself? Dive into this thought-provoking discussion inspired by a quote from Astounding Science Fiction, February 1953.

Join an extraordinary expedition to Mars as a team of explorers uncovers the remnants of a once-advanced civilization that vanished thousands of years ago. Among the ruins, they find ancient books and documents filled with mysteries. Will they be able to discover the elusive Rosetta Stone that unlocks the Martian language and reveals the secrets of this long-lost race? (Summary by Mark Nelson)

What does Naudsonce really mean? To uncover this mystery, dive into a fascinating tale where Pipers imaginative storytelling examines the essence of communication and its complexities. A joint expedition from the Space Navy and the Colonial Office has been on a quest for new worlds suitable for colonization for four long years. Having explored eleven systems and landed on eight planets, they faced disheartening setbacks‚Aîthree promising candidates were eliminated due to hostile wildlife or aggressive inhabitants. Now, theyve discovered what appears to be the perfect world; their last shot ...

In a world ravaged by World War IV for over a decade, exhaustion and despair grip humanity as the relentless killing continues. Enter a high school chemistry teacher from St. Louis, thrust into the chaos as part of the UN forces. In a surreal twist of fate, he dies‚Aîor does he? What if he suddenly wielded the power to forge peace across the globe? This gripping tale delves into the unsettling journey through the darkest corners of human ambition and desire, revealing how they can lead us to unexpected and terrifying places.

Dive into the witty world of science fiction at its finest in this classic tale published in Astounding Science Fiction in December 1958. Piper masterfully delivers a sardonic critique of human nature as we explore a stagnant Empire scattered across countless planets around Earth. Despite Emperor Pauls awareness of the dire need for change, he finds himself powerless against the relentless grip of an age-old bureaucratic system. As whispers of a potential coup surface, the tension mounts in a story that promises an exhilarating climax. Experience Pipers unparalleled talent and imaginative ...

Step into the intriguing world of the Terro-Human Future History, where the next 6,000 years of human evolution unfold. Beginning in 1942 with the construction of the first fission reactor, this era marks the dawn of the Atomic Era (1 A.E.). A nuclear war in 1973 reshapes the planet, setting the stage for the rise of a Terran Federation as humanity ventures into space and unlocks the secrets of antigravity technology. The Edge of the Knife, a gripping story collected in Empire, takes place just before this catastrophic war, following a man gifted with visions of the future. This narrative ...

Fenris may not be a hellish world, but it certainly comes with its challenges. With grueling 2,000-hour days and a staggering 8,000-hour year, this planet swings between scorching heat and bone-chilling cold. Such extreme conditions forge a unique breed of people‚Aîresilient enough to survive and clever enough to thrive. But when one of these tough individuals realizes hes being swindled out of the riches hes fought hard to obtain, the stage is set for a revolution in this unforgiving landscape. (Introduction from the Gutenberg text)

Welcome to New Texas, where the name says it all. The Solar League ambassador faces a daunting challenge convincing the fiercely independent New Texans that a sSrauff attack is not just a possibility, but an imminent threat. With a species evolved from canine ancestors, it‚As hard to instill fear in a population that sees talking dogs as little more than a curiosity. Time is running out, and unless he can rally the Texans to take swift action, their way of life‚Aîand their very existence‚Aîmay be at stake!

Conn Maxwell returns to his impoverished home planet of Poictesme, known as The Junkyard Planet, with tantalizing news about the potential whereabouts of Merlin‚Aîa legendary military super-computer believed to have been left behind after the last war. The desperate inhabitants see Merlin as their beacon of hope, a chance to transform their lives and escape poverty. But as they embark on this quest, they must grapple with the uncertainty of whether Merlin truly exists, and if found, whether it will be their salvation or their downfall. (by Mark Nelson)

In Little Fuzzy, join Jack Holloway, a tenacious prospector on the distant planet Zarathustra, as he stumbles upon a fascinating discovery‚Aîsmall, furry creatures that exhibit signs of intelligence. The question looms are they mere animals, or do they possess true sapience? If they are indeed sentient beings, the implications are monumental, threatening the commercial interests of a powerful corporation that seeks to exploit the planets resources. Will Jack fight to protect these creatures and challenge the corporate machine? (Summary by tabithat)

When Pennsylvania state trooper Calvin Morrison is swept into a parallel universe by a freak accident, he finds himself in a world where gunpowder is the key to power—and its production is tightly controlled by a ruthless theocracy known as Styphon’s House. While stranded in the Princedom of Hostigos, a small territory on the brink of obliteration, Calvin must use his understanding of modern chemistry and warfare to help the people of this new world fight for their freedom.

In the far future, The Company has taken up the franchise for planet Uller and are employing the saurian natives. However, some native Ulleran leaders don't like how life is changing and seek to destroy the human company agents. There are desperate times ahead for the humans on Uller, with no one coming to help, they're surrounded and cut off.

The Lane Fleming collection of vintage pistols and revolvers is renowned nationwide. When Fleming is discovered lifeless in his secured gun room, clutching a Confederate-made Colt-type percussion .36 revolver, the verdict is accidental death. However, Flemings widow, Gladys, isnt convinced. She hires Colonel Jefferson Davis Rand, a private detective and fellow gun enthusiast, to catalogue, evaluate, and negotiate the sale of her late husbands collection. The list of people who coveted the collection is long, but did someone desire it so much they would kill for it? And if so, how did they ...

H. Beam Piper’s The Edge of the Knife is a gripping tale of prophecy, knowledge, and the dangers of foreseeing too much. Set in the mid-20th century, the story follows an eccentric history professor, Edward Chalmers, who begins experiencing vivid visions of the future. As he struggles to make sense of his uncanny foresight, he finds himself caught between disbelief, skepticism, and the terrifying implications of what he sees. With global tensions rising, Chalmers' predictions could change history—or seal his fate.

The Last Enemy is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller featuring Verkan Vall of the Paratime Police. When an undercover agent vanishes in an alternate reality where assassination is honorable and reincarnation is real, Vall must navigate a world of deadly killers and twisted morality to complete his mission.