''Skylark'' is a science fiction/
space opera series by American writer
E. E. Smith
Edward Elmer Smith (May 2, 1890 – August 31, 1965), publishing as E. E. Smith, Ph.D. and later as E. E. "Doc" Smith, was an American food engineer (specializing in doughnut and pastry mixes) and science-fiction author, best known for the '' ...
. In the first book, ''
The Skylark of Space
''The Skylark of Space'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Edward E. "Doc" Smith, written between 1915 and 1921 while Smith was working on his doctorate. Though the original idea for the novel was Smith's, he co-wrote the first part o ...
'' (first published in ''
Amazing Stories
''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances ...
'' in 1928), a scientist discovers a
space-drive, builds a
starship, and flies off with three companions to encounter alien civilizations and fight a larger-than-life villain.
''The Skylark of Space'' was the first of a series which continued through three subsequent books—''
Skylark Three
''Skylark Three'' is a science fiction novel by American writer E. E. Smith, the second in his ''Skylark'' series. Originally serialized through the ''Amazing Stories'' magazine in 1930, it was first collected in book form in 1948 by Fantasy P ...
'' and ''
Skylark of Valeron
''Skylark of Valeron'' is a science fiction novel by the American writer E. E. Smith, the third in his Skylark series. Originally serialized in the magazine ''Astounding'' in 1934, it was first collected in book form in 1949 by Fantasy Press.
Pl ...
'' written during the 1930s, and ''
Skylark DuQuesne'', written in 1963. R. D. Mullen declared that "The great success of the stories was surely due first of all to the skill with which Smith mixed elements of the spy thriller and the western story (our hero is the fastest gun in space, our villain the second fastest) with those of the traditional cosmic voyage."
Reviews: November 1975
''Science Fiction Studies
''Science Fiction Studies'' (''SFS'') is an academic journal founded in 1973 by R. D. Mullen. The journal is published three times per year at DePauw University. As the name implies, the journal publishes articles and book reviews on science fic ...
, November 1975 The series influenced the design of the early video game '' Spacewar!''.
Summary
The entire series describes the conflicts between protagonists Seaton and Crane, and antagonist DuQuesne, which often break into open warfare. It also includes depictions of progressively increasing scales of conflict (equalled by progressively-increased technology) between themselves, individually and collectively, and a series of non-humans bent on universal conquest. When forced to cooperate against an alien species which had conquered one galaxy and was expanding into others, the characters conclude that the universe is large enough to allow peace.
Novels
*''The Skylark of Space
''The Skylark of Space'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Edward E. "Doc" Smith, written between 1915 and 1921 while Smith was working on his doctorate. Though the original idea for the novel was Smith's, he co-wrote the first part o ...
'' (written 1915-1921, serialized 1928, published in book form 1946)
*''Skylark Three
''Skylark Three'' is a science fiction novel by American writer E. E. Smith, the second in his ''Skylark'' series. Originally serialized through the ''Amazing Stories'' magazine in 1930, it was first collected in book form in 1948 by Fantasy P ...
'' (serialized 1930, published in book form 1948)
*''Skylark of Valeron
''Skylark of Valeron'' is a science fiction novel by the American writer E. E. Smith, the third in his Skylark series. Originally serialized in the magazine ''Astounding'' in 1934, it was first collected in book form in 1949 by Fantasy Press.
Pl ...
'' (serialized 1934, published in book form 1949)
*'' Skylark DuQuesne'' (serialized 1965, published in book form 1966)
References
External links
(Transcribed from ''Amazing Stories
''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances ...
'' 1928 publication.)
(Transcribed from ''Amazing Stories
''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearances ...
'', 1930.)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Skylark series
Skylark series