The Mightiest Machine
Encyclopedia
The Mightiest Machine is a science fiction
novel by author John W. Campbell, Jr. It was published in book form in 1947
by The Hadley Publishing Co. in an edition of 1,200 copies. The novel was originally serialized in 5 parts the magazine Astounding beginning with the December 1934 issue.
novel concerns the harnessing of energy from the sun
and encounters with aliens who turn out not to be truly alien at all. It also touches on the legends of ancient civilizations on earth, Atlantis
in this case, and what may have happened to them.
described the 1947 edition as "perhaps the climax of the super-physics school of science fiction which 'Skylark' Smith
had started." Everett F. Bleiler
identified the novel as the paradigm of "the Campbell hard space opera," noting its "great quantity of fanciful and ingenious scientific extrapolations, fictional weaknesses, and polarized social simplistics that regard genocide with equanimity."
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by author John W. Campbell, Jr. It was published in book form in 1947
1947 in literature
The year 1947 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*The Diary of Anne Frank is published for the first time.*Jack Kerouac makes the journey which he will later chronicle in his book On the Road....
by The Hadley Publishing Co. in an edition of 1,200 copies. The novel was originally serialized in 5 parts the magazine Astounding beginning with the December 1934 issue.
Plot introduction
This space operaSpace opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
novel concerns the harnessing of energy from the sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
and encounters with aliens who turn out not to be truly alien at all. It also touches on the legends of ancient civilizations on earth, Atlantis
Atlantis
Atlantis is a legendary island first mentioned in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written about 360 BC....
in this case, and what may have happened to them.
Reception
Astounding reviewer P. Schuyler MillerP. Schuyler Miller
Peter Schuyler Miller was an American science fiction writer and critic.-Life:Miller was raised in New York's Mohawk Valley, which led to a life-long interest in the Iroquois Indians. He pursued this as an amateur archaeologist and a member of the New York State Archaeological Association.He...
described the 1947 edition as "perhaps the climax of the super-physics school of science fiction which 'Skylark' Smith
E. E. Smith
Edward Elmer Smith, Ph.D., also, E. E. Smith, E. E. "Doc" Smith, Doc Smith, "Skylark" Smith, and Ted was a food engineer and early science fiction author who wrote the Lensman series and the Skylark series, among others...
had started." Everett F. Bleiler
Everett F. Bleiler
Everett Franklin Bleiler was an editor, bibliographer, and scholar of science fiction, detective fiction, and fantasy literature. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, he co-edited the first "year's best" series of science fiction anthologies, and his Checklist of Fantastic Literature has been called...
identified the novel as the paradigm of "the Campbell hard space opera," noting its "great quantity of fanciful and ingenious scientific extrapolations, fictional weaknesses, and polarized social simplistics that regard genocide with equanimity."
Publication history
- 1934, USA, Astounding, Pub date December 1934, serialized magazine publication in 5 parts
- 1947, USA, The Hadley Publishing Co. , Pub date 1947, Hardback
- 1955, Italy, UraniaUrania (magazine)Urania is an Italian science fiction magazine published by Arnoldo Mondadori Editore since October 10, 1952.-History:The first issue featured the novel The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke...
, Pub date July 1955, magazine publication as I figli di Mu - 1960, Germany, Terra, Pub date 1960 , Hardback, as Das unglaubliche System
- 1962, France, Presence du Futur , Pub date 1962, Hardback, as La Machine Suprème
- 1965, USA, Ace BooksAce BooksAce Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, Pub date 1965, Paperback