The Ties of Earth / Cue for Quiet

by James H. Schmitz, Thomas L. Sherred

Armchair Fiction presents extra large editions of classic science fiction double novels. The first novel is about the power of the human brain, “The Ties of Earth” by James H. Schmitz. It seemed like a remarkable lucky streak to be sure, but when Allan Commager went on an unprecedented fifteen-minute winning session at the craps tables, it set off an unexpected chain of events. He soon found himself at the house of someone he barely knew, surrounded by strange people, being subjected to parlor room experiments of the mind. But to a secret society known as “the Guides,” it was no trickery. And when Commager’s consciousness revived several hours later, he found himself sitting in front of a fish tank staring into its dark waters. It was then he knew that something was terribly wrong. Soon the mental powers of outside forces turned Commager’s world upside. There was something about his brain that caused them great concern—that caused them to fear him! The second novel is Thomas L. Sherred’s “Cue For Quiet.” It seemed like the worst headache imaginable. Pete Miller felt like his head was going to explode. But it turned out to be no ordinary headache. Pete’s suspicions were aroused when the TV set at Art’s bar went on the fritz. Then the engine in Freddie’s new car blew up. The next victim was the jukebox across the street at the High Hat. Not much later, another jukebox, this one at Harry’s place, also mysteriously broke down. But what could be causing all the trouble? Surely Pete’s throbbing brain couldn’t be culprit… T. L. Sherred spins a very memorable tale of a man with a headache—who found a cure for it. And that cure gave him more power than any man could ever dream of….

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2012

About the author

James Henry Schmitz (October 15, 1911–April 18, 1981) was an American writer born in Hamburg, Germany of American parents. Aside from two years at business school in Chicago, Schmitz lived in Germany until 1938, leaving before World War II broke out in Europe in 1939. During World War II, Schmitz served as an aerial photographer in the Pacific for the United States Army Air Corps. After the war, he and his brother-in-law ran a business which manufactured trailers until they broke up the business in 1949.

Schmitz is best known as a writer of space opera, and for strong female characters (including Telzey Amberdon and Trigger Argee) that didn't fit into the damsel in distress stereotype typical of science fiction during the time he was writing. His first published story was Greenface, published in August 1943 in Unknown. Most of his works are part of the "Hub" series, though his best known novel is the non-Hub The Witches of Karres, concerning juvenile "witches" with genuine psi-powers and their escape from slavery. Karres was nominated for a Hugo Award.

In recent years, his novels and short stories have been republished by Baen Books (which bought the rights to his estate for $6500), edited (sometimes heavily edited) and with notes by Eric Flint. Baen have also published new works based in the Karres universe.

Schmitz died of congestive lung failure in 1981 after a five week stay in the hospital in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife, Betty Mae Chapman Schmitz.