''Men, Martians and Machines'' is a collection of
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...
short stories by the British writer
Eric Frank Russell
Eric Frank Russell (January 6, 1905 – February 28, 1978) was a British writer best known for his science fiction novels and short stories. Much of his work was first published in the United States, in John W. Campbell's '' Astounding Science ...
. It was first published in
1955
Events January
* January 3 – José Ramón Guizado becomes president of Panama.
* January 17 – , the first nuclear-powered submarine, puts to sea for the first time, from Groton, Connecticut.
* January 18– 20 – Battle of Yijian ...
.
Contents
The book follows the crew of a highly advanced spaceship, (relative to the time of publishing, radio is a highly advanced technology), as it explores the universe and has several encounters with various lifeforms on different planets that inevitably become hostile. These mini-adventures follow a prologue of sorts which gives background to the crew. The four stories are told from point of view of a nameless sergeant-at-arms.
*"Jay Score". How emergency pilot Jay Score saves the Upskadaska City, and its mixed crew of terrans and chess-loving Martians, after a meteor strike.
*"Mechanistria". The crew from Upskadaska City, along with some new characters, land on a planet in a solar system believed to contain life. The away team are captured by strange machines, but with Martian help they escape with few casualties. It was originally published in ''
Astounding Science-Fiction
''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...
'', May 1941.
*"Symbiotica". The crew returns for another mission to a planet that is covered with plant life. They find the plants are hostile and strange little creatures live among them. They must quit interrogating one due to its obsessive fear of the dark. At night they come under attack and many are captured and led away on a sort of Bataan Death March to who knows where. Thankfully the Martians save them again as they have a running battle before they escape, the deadly plants and strange creatures, again with casualties. It first appeared in ''Astounding Science-Fiction'', October 1943.
*"Mesmerica". The crew ask why they have returned for another mission. The planet they arrive on seems to be empty except for an enigmatic village. Strange happenings begin after the scout crew is sent out. In their suspicion they decide to send two parties out to explore more. Eventually they realize they are facing a race of mind benders, and manage to escape before the creatures become capable of stronger illusions. ''Men, Martians and Machines'' is the first publication of this story.
Influence
The title of the book was used as the title of a song by German
power metal
Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contra ...
band
Gamma Ray
A gamma ray, also known as gamma radiation (symbol γ or \gamma), is a penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. It consists of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic waves, typically ...
on their 1997 album ''
Somewhere Out in Space
''Somewhere Out in Space'' is an album by German power metal band, Gamma Ray. It was released on 25 August 1997 and is the band's fifth studio album. Continuing in the tradition of the previous four albums, it contained yet another different lin ...
''.
See also
*
Star Trek
''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
(also a multi-ethnic crew on a
spaceship, exploring the galaxy.)
External links
* {{isfdb title, id=15259, title=Men, Martians and Machines
1955 short story collections
Science fiction short story collections