Title: Triplanetary
First published: July 1, 1982
Description: Lensman series, Book 1 of 7

Even back before the first bits of this story hit the newsstands, the folks who published it in Amazing Stories (January through April, 1934) knew they were on to something special. "We are sure that our readers will be highly pleased to have us give the first installment of a story by Dr. Smith. It will continue for several numbers and is a worthy follower of the Skylark stories which were so much appreciated by our readers. We think that they will find this story superior to the earlier ones. Dr. Smith certainly has the narrative power, and that, joined with his scientific position, makes him an ideal author for our columns." An awful lot has gone under the bridge since 1934, but you know, the folks at Amazing were on to something. Triplanetary really is all that special, and we're thrilled to offer it to you now anew.

Amazon.com Review

This is the first of E. E. "Doc" Smith's seven Lensman books, and although it isn't as fast-paced as later Lensman novels, it sets the stage for what is perhaps the greatest space-opera saga ever told. Through a series of vignettes spanning millions of years, readers will learn how the titanic struggle between the good Arisians and the evil Eddorians first came to pass, and about how humanity was chosen (and bred) to assume the awesome power of the lens. A short foreword by science fiction scholar John Clute puts the entire series into perspective.

Review

HUGO Finalist for Best Science Fiction All-Time Series --Science Fiction Digest
Subjects: Fiction, general, Science fiction, Juvenile literature, American Science fiction, Fiction, sagas, Fiction, science fiction, space opera, Scientists, fiction, Fiction, Human-alien encounters, Space warfare, Fiction, science fiction, general, Fiction in English, 1900- Texts
LC classification: PZ3.S64558 Tr, PS3537.M349 Tr, PS3537.M349 T45 1997