Cyril M. Kornbluth was an influential voice in science fiction. As a teenager, he became a member of the Futurians, a key group of fans and writers who shaped the genre, where he forged friendships with many pivotal figures. His works often explore societal and political issues with sharp insight and a distinctive prose style. Collaborating with other notable authors on several novels, he left an indelible mark on the science fiction landscape.
Originally published over a century ago, this classical work addresses themes of human resilience in the face of adversity. Its significance has endured through history, prompting Alpha Editions to republish it in a modern format to ensure it remains accessible to current and future readers. The book has been carefully reformatted, retyped, and designed for clarity, avoiding the pitfalls of scanned copies, thus preserving its readability and impact.
This replica of the June 1958 VANGUARD SCIENCE FICTION digest magazine showcases a selection of classic sci-fi stories. Featured works include "SOS, PLANET UNKNOWN" by A. Bertram Chandler, exploring themes of survival in the cosmos, and "REAP THE DARK TIDE" by C. M. Kornbluth, which delves into the consequences of human actions. Other notable contributions include James E. Gunn's "WHEN THE SHOE FITS," Raymond F. Jones' "THE STRAD EFFECT," and Richard Wilson's "FAREWELL PARTY," each offering unique narratives that reflect the era's imaginative spirit.
Set on a future Mars, the story revolves around a colony striving for independence from a failing Earth. Instead of heroes, the settlers require individuals skilled in survival, facing numerous challenges that threaten their existence. The narrative promises a gripping adventure filled with themes of resilience and defiance as the colony navigates the complexities of life on a harsh new planet.
"The Marching Morons" is a look at a far future in which the world's population consists of five billion idiots and a few million geniuses - the precarious minority of the "elite" working desperately to keep things running behind the scenes. "The Marching Morons" is a direct sequel to "The Little Black Bag": it is easy to miss this, as "Bag" is set in the contemporary present while "Morons" takes place several centuries from now, and there is no character that appears in both stories. The titular black bag in the first story is actually an artifact from the time period of "The Marching Morons": a medical kit filled with self-driven instruments enabling a far-future moron to "play doctor". A future Earth similar to "The Marching Morons" - a civilization of morons protected by a small minority of hidden geniuses - is used again in the final stages of "Search the Sky".
Set in a unique culture adrift, the narrative explores a savage code that governs its inhabitants. However, the true brutality emerges when outcasts venture onto land, revealing a harsher reality. This thought-provoking tale, nominated for the 1959 Hugo Award for Best Novelette, delves into themes of survival and societal norms, contrasting the life at sea with the challenges faced on land.
Focusing on space exploration and rocket engineering, this collection showcases Cyril M. Kornbluth's imaginative storytelling. It includes notable works such as "Takeoff," "The Rocket of 1955," and "Theory of Rocketry," each delving into the challenges and innovations of the era. Kornbluth's narratives blend scientific concepts with human experiences, offering readers a thought-provoking glimpse into the future of aerospace technology and its implications.
CAUTION! You are about to enter a world... where all engineering ingenuity has been employed for public spectacles of torture and death where the stock market operates with pari-mutuel machines where a court clerk transcribes testimony on punch cards, then feeds it to a jury machine where the dream real-estate development of today has become a cracked-concrete savage jungle In this world, young lawyer Charles Mundin battles a great combine of corporate interests—battles them in board meetings and in dark alleys—in a struggle that lays bare some brutal promises of the future...promises we are beginning to make right now. “...wholly admirable, in both thinking and execution.”—Galaxy “Reminiscent in vigor, bite and acumen to THE SPACE MERCHANTS”—Anthony Boucher. “...possessed of a bite and savage vigor which makes it one of the outstanding science fiction novels of the year.”—The New York Times “...a powerfully convincing story.”—New York Herald Tribune
Malá černá brašna je povídka amerického sci-fi autora Cyrila M. Kornblutha, která získala retroaktivní cenu Hugo za nejlepší novelu v roce 2001. Po dvaceti generacích váhání se rod Homo sapiens dostal do slepé uličky. Biometrikové tvrdili, že duševně podnormální se množí mnohem rychleji než duševně normální a supernormální, což má exponenciální charakter.
Existoval však i maskovací vliv technologického pokroku. Jednoduchý jedinec, vycvičený k ovládání kalkulačky, se zdál být zručnějším výpočtářem než středověký matematik, a podobné to bylo v lékařské praxi. Fetiš vysokoškolského vzdělání vedl k podivným avatarům: „střední školy“, kde studenti nedokázali přečíst tříslabičná slova, a „univerzity“, které udělovaly tituly jako „bakalář psaní na stroji“ či „doktor filozofie (kartotéční evidence)“.
Hrstka supernormálů využívala technologii, aby udržela zdání společenského pořádku. Avšak jednoho dne supernormálové přejdou most, zatímco dvacátá generace váhá na jeho přístupech, zmatená tím, co se stalo. Duchové dvaceti generací biometriků se nad tím zlomyslně chechtají.
