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''Ballroom of the Skies'' is a 1952 science fiction novel by American writer
John D. MacDonald
John Dann MacDonald (July 24, 1916December 28, 1986) was an American writer of novels and short stories. He is known for his thrillers.
MacDonald was a prolific author of crime and suspense novels, many set in his adopted home of Florida. On ...
. Though MacDonald was primarily a mystery novelist famed for his Travis McGee
John Dann MacDonald (July 24, 1916December 28, 1986) was an American writer of novels and short stories. He is known for his thrillers.
MacDonald was a prolific author of crime and suspense novels, many set in his adopted home of Florida. On ...
series, he did write some science fiction short stories and novels. Other titles include ''Wine of the Dreamers
''Wine of the Dreamers'' is a 1951 science fiction novel by American writer John D. MacDonald. ''Wine of the Dreamers'' was his first science fiction novel and one of his earliest published novels altogether. Though he later also wrote the scien ...
'' (1951) and '' The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything'' (1962).
Plot summary
The story involves Earth sometime after World War III, with Brazil, Iran, and India as the prevailing superpowers. The plot reveals the reasons behind humanity's history of perpetual war and strife, which is that leaders of an intergalactic empire are always chosen from among humans but must first be tested by extreme hardship.Critical reception
In a 1953 review, ''The New York Times'' said that "..if the novel is at times implausible, it is certainly never dull." ''Galaxy'' reviewer Groff Conklin described ''Ballroom'' as "an exciting and effective alien invasion novel." In '' F&SF'', Boucher and McComas described ''Ballroom'' as "an admirably conceived suspense-melodrama with a fine newFortean
Charles Hoy Fort (August 6, 1874 – May 3, 1932) was an American writer and researcher who specialized in anomalous phenomena. The terms "Fortean" and "Forteana" are sometimes used to characterize various such phenomena. Fort's books sold w ...
surprise," although they faulted the text's "unpolished first-draft form.""Recommended Reading," '' F&SF'', May 1953, p.91
References
External links
* 1952 American novels 1952 science fiction novels American science fiction novels Novels about alien invasions Novels by John D. MacDonald {{1950s-mil-sf-novel-stub