Galactic Patrol (1950 novel)

Galactic Patrol is a 1950 science fiction novel by American writer and engineer E. E. Smith. Originally published in the pages of Astounding Science Fiction from September 1937 to February 1938,Smith, E E - The Science Fiction Encyclopedia - Retrieved 10 June 2024 the story was the first of Smith's Lensman Saga, an influential work of science fiction and space opera.
== Synopsis ==
There are novels and novels of adventures in space--but few, indeed, are the tales of the spaceways with the scope and drive and power of "Galactic Patrol". For many years Dr. Edward E. Smith has been recognized as the master of the space epic; and even today, with the widespread interest in science fiction and with the appearance of talented new writers, there is no one to offer a serious challenge to Smith's leadership in his chosen field.
This is the story of Kimball Kinnison, wearer of the Lens of the Galactic Patrol, in his conflict with the forces of lawlessness and crime known as Boskonia. More, it is the story of the Lens, a pseudoliving, telepathic jewel matched to the ego of its wearer by those master philosophers, the Arisians. The story of Helmuth, "who speaks for Boskone", of the Wheelmen of Aldebaran I, of the Overlords of Delgon, of the strange worlds of Velantia, Trenco, Boyssia II, and others. The story of men and women of the future, waging a galactic warfare for the very existence of civilization.
Kinnison, graduating at the head of his class at the Tellurian Academy of the Galactic Patrol, is given command of an experimental space ship with instructions to find and capture a new-type ship of the Boskonians. With a hand-picked crew he sets out--and meets the enemy superdreadnaught he is seeking. From that point to the very end "Galactic Patrol" maintains a swift, thrilling, never-lagging pace that is certain to hold your interest.
"Galactic Patrol" is the third novel in the Lensman series, preceded by "Triplanetary" and "First Lensman". Yet this book is complete in itself. Indeed, it was the first of the series, as such, to appear serially; and failure to have read the other two books should be no obstacle to your reading this one.
If you enjoy science fiction--stories of other worlds--science novels of interplanetary adventure--then "Galactic Patrol" is required reading for you.
== Characters ==
=== Galactic Patrol ===
* Kimball Kinnison
* Peter van Buskirk
* Tregonsee
=== Boskone ===
* Helmuth
=== Others ===
* Worsel
* Overlords of Delgon
== Reception ==
=== Retrospective ===
David Avallone discussed the novel's importance to the space opera subgenre.Pulp Today 40: Galactic Patrol and the origins of Space Opera - David Avallone - 25 February 2021 - YouTube - Retrieved 13 June 2024
== Links ==
* Galactic Patrol on Wikipedia
== References ==
Category:Fiction
Category:Real books
Category:Real novels
Category:Real science fiction novels
Category:Real novels released in 1950
Category:Real science fiction media