reviews
Mar 22, 2007
I'm not terribly ashamed to admit I like Doc Smith, since I'm in good company (see Robert Heinlein's "Larger than Life"). Heinlein's apology for Smith covers most of the usual criticisms: the hackneyed dialogue, the Mauve Decade values, the liberal use of space opera stereotypes such as bug-eyed monsters (although note, please, that these hadn't been overused yet during Smith's time).
But I secretly hope that, in a different life, I too might wear the Lens....and in any case More...
But I secretly hope that, in a different life, I too might wear the Lens....and in any case More...
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Aug 25, 2008
Jim
rated it: 
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who didn't like or want to understand 'Campbellian' SF. It's not bad, especially a book or two into the series. After that, it gets to be a bit much.
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Jan 24, 2012
Corytregoart
rated it: 
I've read this book one and a half times. I read it all the way through a couple of years ago, and made it only half way through a few years before that.
This is a book of an earlier, ostensibly less-complicated era. The good guys are ruggedly competent man's-men with hearts of gold and their innocent, supportive wives and girlfriends. The bad guys are pure dastardly bastards. Smith sets up this stark contrast between good and evil in the first chapters as he sets up this universe's i More...
This is a book of an earlier, ostensibly less-complicated era. The good guys are ruggedly competent man's-men with hearts of gold and their innocent, supportive wives and girlfriends. The bad guys are pure dastardly bastards. Smith sets up this stark contrast between good and evil in the first chapters as he sets up this universe's i More...
Sep 04, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
Don't trust my rating of this book; it's part of my childhood, when I read it over and over again, and I have no way of objectively rating it.
For reasons I no longer recall, I got rid of these books at some point, probably during a house move when I was trying to de-clutter. I found all seven in the series in a second hand book shop a few years ago and, struck by nostalgia, I bought them all. Reading them again, I found that the clunky writing, the cardboard characters, the outdated More...
For reasons I no longer recall, I got rid of these books at some point, probably during a house move when I was trying to de-clutter. I found all seven in the series in a second hand book shop a few years ago and, struck by nostalgia, I bought them all. Reading them again, I found that the clunky writing, the cardboard characters, the outdated More...
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Jan 18, 2011
Paul 'Pezski'
rated it: 
I have to give the Lensman books at least four stars for their nostalgia value, and that they began me on a life of love for science fiction. I'll have read them first in my very early teens, probably around the time of the original Star Wars trilogy, on which they are no doubt a huge influence. I think these are probably the finest of 'Doc' Smith's ripping space adventures - powered by derring do and the fight for justice, with square jawed heroes and their beautiful women, a World's Fair-type
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Sep 20, 2009
I enjoyed this book a lot. The Lensman series was probably the first real (or fully realized) space opera and it’s the basic foundation for all of the ones that followed (Star Wars, for example, comes immediately to mind). Given that I expected to find it, like a lot of cliché-setting works, a bit awkward, but actually it’s also a really good example of the sort of thing it inspired. This book, the first one, is more of a general stage setting for the rest of the series, so I don’t know if I
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Jan 27, 2012
Susan
rated it:
Triplanetary is the first in the Lensman series. EE Smith was the father of the sub-genre 'space opera'. So says the cover.
I really enjoyed the big sweeping operatic take - the stroll through human history up to present day, and shooting past to the future when humans have populated at least the solar system. There are 2 far advanced alien races, each meddling with humans throughout our history - one benignly and another negatively.
We make it to space and encounter a fi More...
I really enjoyed the big sweeping operatic take - the stroll through human history up to present day, and shooting past to the future when humans have populated at least the solar system. There are 2 far advanced alien races, each meddling with humans throughout our history - one benignly and another negatively.
We make it to space and encounter a fi More...
Aug 02, 2009
Simon
rated it:
I had heard that this series had dated badly but didn't think that would be a problem for me but I think for once it was. It's not just that the science that has dated (and boy has that dated), it's the dialogue too. 1930's American slang really began to grate on me after a while and demonstrates a truism I think; steer clear of the slang (either real or imagined) because, no matter how cool it might seem at the time, it will only look silly in years to come.
But at the end of the day More...
But at the end of the day More...
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Sep 15, 2010
Greg
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 20, 2011
Andreas
rated it: 
The Lensman series is considered the mother of all space opera, and it all begins with Triplanetary, which is a series of three vaguely related novelettes, the first one concerning the fall of Atlantis. In the second one, a spaceliner is attached by a pirate. The pirate in turn is attacked by aliens intent on grabbing all our iron (no, really…) and a few corny heroes have adventures.
Many science fiction greats including Michael J. Straczynski to Peter F. Hamilton (who told me so pers More...
Many science fiction greats including Michael J. Straczynski to Peter F. Hamilton (who told me so pers More...
Feb 07, 2011
Adam
rated it:
I only heard of the Lensman series recently. In his introduction to the copy of Foundation that I just read, Isaac Asimov said he was surprised when his series won the Hugo Award for best series of all time in 1966, because he was sure J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings would win. (This didn't make sense to me, since Tolkien's work isn't sci-fi, it's fantasy, but whatever.) The other series that were up for consideration were Robert A. Heinlein's "future history" series, Edgar Rice
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3 comments
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Jun 29, 2011
Joanne
rated it:
another one that's been out for R to listen to for years, but he wants me to be the test pilot, it too is a series, will listen to it to get rid of the tapes sitting around and rest will do on Audible if we like it, this darn cleaning out, but its good too, will never run out of books to read and listen to!!!
was interesting, but so much to comprehend about 2 different species and 2 other worlds, etc, at least i have the foundation and the tapes will be off the counter, so when i ever run More...
was interesting, but so much to comprehend about 2 different species and 2 other worlds, etc, at least i have the foundation and the tapes will be off the counter, so when i ever run More...
Oct 28, 2011
Tyrone
rated it:
I just recently unpacked some books i have not read for some time. My collection of E.E.Doc Smith novels, written in the 30's and 40's, was among them and i thought, 'it's about time to re-read those bad boys.' Starting with the most famous books, the Lensmen series.
I originally read them as a teenager, where i found them on the shelves of 2nd hand book shops, the likes of which are unfortunately far too rare these days. You know the type...books piled high in no specific order but l More...
I originally read them as a teenager, where i found them on the shelves of 2nd hand book shops, the likes of which are unfortunately far too rare these days. You know the type...books piled high in no specific order but l More...
May 09, 2011
J-P
rated it:
Very much what you'd expect from a pulp magazine Science Fiction serial turned into a book. Stalwart, square-jawed heroes of infallible will and resolve, a certain condescending attitude towards women, and the anachronistic future science that was extrapolated from the high technology and science of the time. If the characters were somewhat two-dimensional, it worked for them. The Immense scope of the story, at least the beginning, means that characters are introduced, perform their heroic deeds
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Jan 29, 2012
Jeepz
rated it:
I read this as a young teenager and it had a profound impact on me. Excited to be reading it again, on my Kindle.
**
So, I just finished re-reading Triplanetary and have to say I really liked it once again. As those of you who might already be familiar with EE Doc Smith, he is regarded as one of the fathers (THE father?) of the Space Opera genre, and this book kicks off his famous Lensmen series. It IS space opera, and at times can seem very pulpy (for instance, some/most/all More...
**
So, I just finished re-reading Triplanetary and have to say I really liked it once again. As those of you who might already be familiar with EE Doc Smith, he is regarded as one of the fathers (THE father?) of the Space Opera genre, and this book kicks off his famous Lensmen series. It IS space opera, and at times can seem very pulpy (for instance, some/most/all More...
Jun 20, 2011
Bill
rated it:
Triplanetry, the first book of the epic Lensman series, by E E Doc Smith. What else can I say which hasn’t been said before about these glorious old novels? This is the real golden age of science fiction.
I have always had a fondness (fascination) for early science fiction art; in particular those old pulp magazines like ‘astounding stories’ etc. I love those images of silver teardrop shaped spaceships, battling with atom-splitting ray guns, together with brave men in brass and More...
I have always had a fondness (fascination) for early science fiction art; in particular those old pulp magazines like ‘astounding stories’ etc. I love those images of silver teardrop shaped spaceships, battling with atom-splitting ray guns, together with brave men in brass and More...
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Aug 12, 2009
Zachary
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Triplanetary is chronologically the first book in E. E. Smith's classic Lensmen series. The first book published was Galactic Patrol. That book drops the reader into a conflict which is already older than the earth itself, though it seems concerned with one particular Lensman, Kim Kinnison. Triplanetary goes back to the beginning and lays out the meta-narrative that particular story takes place within.
That being understood, this book, in the Lensman series, works about the same as th More...
That being understood, this book, in the Lensman series, works about the same as th More...
Jul 07, 2008
Ross
rated it:
Triplanetary is the first book of the Lensman series by E.E. Doc Smith. Like the rest of the series, it's a pulp-era space opera full of action, adventure, and "state-of-the-art" inventions and technology rolled into a non-stop ride through the galaxy (and beyond).
Like a lot of the genre at that time, the book's characters are a little wooden and stereotypical. There's the brave, quick-thinking, and capable secret agent Costigan, the stolid-yet-capable ship's Captain Brad More...
Like a lot of the genre at that time, the book's characters are a little wooden and stereotypical. There's the brave, quick-thinking, and capable secret agent Costigan, the stolid-yet-capable ship's Captain Brad More...
Jun 24, 2011
Robert
rated it:
The science behind Smith's story is staggering and mind blowing. Way ahead of his time as far as his predictions go. The thing to remember is that this story was started in the 1930's, a decade before the first, monstrously sized archaic computers were put together. It is finished, compiled, and edited in 1948, but even at that point computer technology was brand new and not capable of nearly as much as we take for granted today. Yet Smith has them computerized sensors, force fields, laser beams
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Oct 21, 2007
http://nhw.livejournal.com/548685.html[return][return]Humanity is the battleground for the centuries-long struggle for galactic domination between the Arisian and Eddorian civilisations. We start with a snapshot of an ancient high-tech Atlantis, wiped out by atomic war, and then a rather puzzling vignette from Rome under Nero; then the first and second world wars. And then a third of the way through the book, we're in space opera territory; our heroes are kidnapped by space pirates, re-kidnapped
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Sep 28, 2011
Paige
rated it:
This was... interesting. It's my first real introduction to space opera, and it's also one of the first really old science fiction books I've read. The characters were flat, overall, and the dialogue was obscenely florid. And yet I couldn't stop reading! It's action upon action from the very beginning, and the drama never stops. It is, truly, a soap opera set in space. I've been told that the series gets better as it goes on (and it honestly takes a really, really awful book for me to quit a ser
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Aug 14, 2011
Blair
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The first in a series of six books, Triplanetary frames the intergalactic battle between the Arisians and the Eddorians and how mankind fits in. This is mankind's struggle to rise from war and dissension fomented by the Eddorians. The Arisians allow it to happen knowing that the struggle will push mankind to its limits, and it is only there that mankind and her allies will be able to defeat the Eddorians for good.
Good luck finding these books, as they've been out of print for decades More...
Good luck finding these books, as they've been out of print for decades More...
Dec 28, 2011
Rob
rated it:
I picked this up because it was mentioned in The New York Times review of Neal Stephenson's new book as having been the runner up for all-time best science fiction series at the Hugo Awards (after Foundation). After a bit more research I found out that it won this award in 1966, which limited the number of eligible series; still, I had it sent inter-library loan from Kalamazoo College.
The book had all of the charm of an immature D&D player. Tons of deus ex machinas, metaphors that ma More...
The book had all of the charm of an immature D&D player. Tons of deus ex machinas, metaphors that ma More...
Jan 08, 2009
Noah
rated it:
Not bad. While the first half, detailing the rise of the Eddorians and Arisians, and their machinations in human history, was a bit disappointing and frequently confusing, the space opera (Triplanetary proper) was rollicking good fun, with manly space warriors and brave space damsels. Naturally, the whole thing felt a bit dated, with the romance particularly hokey, but on the whole, the feeling was of wistful nostalgia for a simpler time. Looking forward to continuing the series.
Feb 11, 2012
Bob
rated it:
Well, you've gotta take it for what it is: old-style science fiction. The characters are simple: the good guys are incorruptibly good and the bad guys are horribly bad. The science is pretty eyebrow-raising. However, for a good entertaining light reading this classic is well worth enjoying. It moves fast and has very creative and imaginative aliens, which is good.
Mar 12, 2009
Ken
rated it:
A fun pulp-era novel. First novel of the Lensman series, but you don't actually see the creation of the Galactic Patrol at this point. It's a "prequel", and was revised later on by Smith to fit it better into the Lensmen series, and to explain some of the background.
Your basic old-school pulp sci-fi fare (in fact, some of the work that defined the genre). Square-jawed heroes, blasters, "inertialess drives", etc. Characters are two-dimensional, but the story is fun
Your basic old-school pulp sci-fi fare (in fact, some of the work that defined the genre). Square-jawed heroes, blasters, "inertialess drives", etc. Characters are two-dimensional, but the story is fun
Mar 27, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
I read several books by E E Doc Smith as a schoolboy and recall being rather impressed with his work at the time. Now reading Triplanetary some years later I was rather disappointed and the language and style felt dated.
Whilst I am sure there are many who will 'love' the series, the books of E E Doc Smith are no longer for me!
Whilst I am sure there are many who will 'love' the series, the books of E E Doc Smith are no longer for me!
Jul 05, 2009
I have read this classic Sci Fi series before. It was one of Sol's favorites. Written in the 1930's, the style is outrageously dated. Yet, this is the precursor to Star Wars; including Hans, Luke, Leia, Jedi, and the Dark Force under different names. Got it free on Kindle
Aug 23, 2009
Jeff
rated it:
Bleah. I want to give Galactic Patrol a chance, which was the first Lensman story published, but the third in this chronological collection.
Because I've heard good things about Galactic Patrol. But I wouldn't recommend starting here.
Because I've heard good things about Galactic Patrol. But I wouldn't recommend starting here.
Feb 17, 2010
Eric
rated it:
I could not get past the second chapter. The language and style of this book is too outdated. Not old enough to be classic, and yet not recent enough to be readable. Maybe I'll give it another 10 years then try again.
