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

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.

FNH Audio presents an unabridged reading of H. Beam Piper's classic and much-loved science fiction novel Little Fuzzy. Jack Holloway lives a solitary life in a wilderness of the planet Zarathustra. But then a strange intelligent animal walks into his life from out of the forest. The animal that he names 'Little Fuzzy' seems sapient and that threatens the charter of the company that owns the planet. With the company profits threatened, Jack realises that both his life and that of Little Fuzzy are in danger.

Conn Maxwell returns from Terra to his poverty-stricken home planet of Poictesme, “The Junkyard Planet”, with news of the possible location of Merlin, a military super-computer rumored to have been abandoned there after the last war. The inhabitants hope to find Merlin, which they think will be their ticket to wealth and prosperity. But is Merlin real or just an old rumor? And if they find it, will it save them - or tear them apart?

The chartered Zarathustra Company had it all their way. Their charter was for a Class III uninhabited planet, which Zarathustra was, and it meant they owned the planet lock stock and barrel. They exploited it, developed it and reaped the huge profits from it without interference from the Colonial Government. Then Jack Holloway, a sunstone prospector, appeared on the scene with his family of Fuzzies and the passionate conviction that they were not cute animals but little people.

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.

So the Ulleran challenge begins, with the rantings of a prophet and a seemingly incidental street riot. Only when a dose of poison lands in the governer-general's whiskey does it become clear that the "geeks" have had it up their double-lidded eyeballs with the imperialist Terran Federation's Chartered Uller Company. Then, overnight, war is everywhere.

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 ...

X Minus One premiered in April 1955 on NBC and ran until January 1958. Like its predecessor series, Dimension X, X Minus One featured stories by the greatest names in modern science fiction: Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Clifford Simak, Robert Bloch, and many more.

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)

Dive into the imaginative worlds of H. Beam Piper, a pioneering voice in science fiction, with this collection of five captivating short stories that explore the boundaries of technology, society, and the human experience.

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)

A wounded soldier is transported back in time to the days of his childhood. Based on a story by H. Beam Piper, this episode of Dimension X originally aired on July 12, 1951.