The Early Asimov Volume 3

      Isaac Asimov
     The Early Asimov Volume 3

The Early Asimov or, Eleven Years of Trying is a 1972 collection of short stories by Isaac Asimov. Each story is accompanied by commentary by the author, who gives details about his life and his literary achievements in the period in which he wrote the story.  

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    The Runaway Skyscraper

      Murray Leinster
     The Runaway Skyscraper

"The Runaway Skyscraper" is a science fiction short story by Murray Leinster that first appeared in the February 22, 1919 issue of Argosy magazine. "The Runaway Skyscraper" concerns Arthur Chamberlain, an engineer who works in a midtown Manhattan office building called the Metropolitan Tower. When the sun suddenly begins moving backwards in the sky, setting rapidly in the east, he is the only one to realize what is actually happening: a flaw in the rock beneath the building has caused it to subside, but instead of moving in space, the building is falling backwards into the past. When the subsidence finally ends, the building is located several thousand years in the past, and its 2000-odd inhabitants find themselves stranded in pre-Columbian Manhattan. Chamberlain also realizes that the same seismic forces that caused the building to drop back into the past can also be used to return it to the present, but that doing so will require several weeks of intensive work by the building's inhabitants, and in the meantime they must concentrate on feeding themselves. Chamberlain convinces the president of a bank on the first floor that he can return them to the present, and together they are able to organize the other inhabitants into hunting and fishing parties. Two weeks later, Chamberlain is ready to implement his plan. He forces a jet of soapy water into an artesian well beneath the building, and this allows the pressure that has built up in the rock to be released. The building travels forward in time again, returning to the exact moment when it began to travel into the past.

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    Eden, Dawn

      Archer Swift
     Eden, Dawn

Plagued by the gory memories of Earth’s final days, the loss of his parents, and awakened feelings for a girl his best friend loves, seventeen-year-old Ristan Abel finds himself plunged into a cauldron of turmoil and treason on a brutal, unforgiving planet. Trying to rescue a clan in chaos, he discovers the truth about mankind’s mortal enemies, and the human traitor allying with them.Fleeing an Earth inferno, thirty thousand humans landed on a terrifying yet beautiful planet, they named Eden, hoping to find a new start. Ten years later three hundred and sixty-seven survive; staving off the brutal, carnivorous creatures that prey on them, holding out against a formidable humanoid species known, initially, only as them, while facing insidious deceit and betrayal from within their own ranks.Wrestling through his own inner turmoil; plagued by the galling memories of Earth’s final hurrah, the death of his parents, and awakened feelings for a girl his best friend loves, shy seventeen-year-old Ristan Abel finds himself plunged into a cauldron of turmoil, treachery and treason. In trying to rescue a clan in chaos, he discovers the truth about his mortal enemies, and the human traitor allying with them to exterminate what’s left of mankind. And in the crucible, he finds himself and becomes a reluctant answer to mankind’s predicament.Welcome to planet Zika, named such by the planet’s native species, the Zikalic. A planet of stunning contrasts—unspeakable wonder and matchless horror—ruled by the monstrous Xakanic. Bent on annihilating the human race, the Head Chief of the Zikalic serves his own twisted agenda: to strengthen his rule over the bejewelled City of Zika.‘Eden, Dawn’ is the first book in ‘The Chronicles of Paradise’ trilogy.

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    Thunderlord

      Marion Zimmer Bradley
     Thunderlord

A follow-up to The Ages of Chaos omnibus, Thunderlord is a brand-new novel of the genre-bending Darkover universe, expanded by Marion Zimmer Bradley's collaborator Deborah J. Ross. Far in Darkover's past, the Ages of Chaos were a time of constant warfare, when immensely powerful psychic weapons ravaged the land and slaughtered entire armies. Perhaps none was more dangerous and unpredictable than the mental Gift to sense--and control--thunderstorms. When the realm of Aldaran and their Scathfell cousins came to blows, that Gift turned the tide of battle, and Aldaran prevailed. A generation later, the heir to Scathfell, Gwynn, has grown up in the shadow of that conflict, his life shaped by the loss of his entire family. Now he plots his revenge for his family’s humiliating defeat by seeking to marry a woman who carries the storm control Gift, so that his sons will be able to wield the terrible power of storms against Aldaran. Since childhood, Kyria has been able to sense approaching storms. She had never expected to marry a rich man; independent and athletic, she defied tradition by donning her brother’s castoff clothing and trapping small game to keep her family from starvation. When Gwynn’s emissary arrives with a marriage proposal that will secure her family’s financial future, she agrees. Along with her younger sister as her companion, she sets out for Scathfell, where she will be formally wed. During their passage through rugged mountains, a blizzard drives them to seek shelter in a traveler’s hut, where they meet Edric, the young heir to Aldaran. Edric has inherited the storm control, but he has never dared to use it. His whole life, he has been warned against the consequences, not just to his enemies but to everyone he loves. Now, disguised as an ordinary traveler, he journeys home after years of study, disciplining himself to control his powers. When he meets Kyria, he senses the presence of the same storm power, but unschooled and dormant. They know each other only as Edric and Kyria--for under shelter truth, all identities are concealed--and are drawn to one another. Thus begins the saga of two kingdoms, divided by bitter history and present-day suspicions, one armed with devastating power and the other determined to overcome it, no matter what the price. Can their love and resourcefulness overcome even the overwhelming power of a Thunderlord?

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    Man-Kzin Wars XIII

      Larry Niven
     Man-Kzin Wars XIII

Larry Niven’s bestselling Man-Kzin series continues! The kzin, formerly invincible conquerors of all they encountered, had a hard time dealing with their ignominious defeat by the leaf-eating humans. Some secretly hatched schemes for a rematch, others concentrated on gathering power within the kzin hierarchy, and some shamefully cooperated with the contemptible humans, though often for hidden motives. In war and in uneasy peace, kzin and humans continue their adventures with a  masterful addition to the Man-Kzin Wars shared universe created by Larry Niven. Stories by Jane Lindskold, Charles E. Gannon, Bud Sparhawk, and more.

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    A Crack in the Edge of the World

      Simon Winchester
     A Crack in the Edge of the World

Unleashed by ancient geologic forces, a magnitude 8.25 earthquake rocked San Francisco in the early hours of April 18, 1906. Less than a minute later, the city lay in ruins. Bestselling author Simon Winchester brings his inimitable storytelling abilities to this extraordinary event, exploring the legendary earthquake and fires that spread horror across San Francisco and northern California in 1906 as well as its startling impact on American history and, just as important, what science has recently revealed about the fascinating subterranean processes that produced it—and almost certainly will cause it to strike again.

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    The Pin Keeper

      John Rudram
     The Pin Keeper

Five powerful people sent for their proteges when they vaporised. These young bloods don't know what is happening. Only one man knows. Can he make them convinced about one single step before its too late.The Hive Protocol has been put into action. The five survivors guided by one man must take the final step whole-heartedly on the Fourteenth day. Will they do it?

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    Iástron

      James C. Dunn
     Iástron

Two-hundred years ago the powerful Iástron race disappeared. Fifty years ago it died out completely. Darkness followed. War and death and suffering, born of prejudice and fear, fills the Four Systems. Crilshar’s power grows. The Systemal Alignment trembles. Titan, the only force able to fight back, has never been weaker.Two-hundred years ago the powerful Iástron race disappeared. Fifty years ago it died out completely. Darkness followed. War and death and suffering, born of prejudice and fear, fills the Four Systems. Crilshar’s power grows. The Systemal Alignment trembles. Titan, the only force able to fight back, has never been weaker.Upon Titan, moon of Saturn, Anna Berenguer plans her escape. A way out of the relentless shadow. Her personal demons are but a sign of what is to come. Her journey into the unknown a battle with fate itself. Her destiny as yet unclear. Her enemy and the enemy of all mankind . . . awoken.

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    His Grandfather's Ring

      Shawn Cowling
     His Grandfather's Ring

Sil lost his grandfather and a bit of himself. The directionless 40 something is cleaning his grandfather's home when he stumbles upon something wildly out of character for his grandfather; a ring. The ring is mesmerizing and Sil finds out that is so much more than a simple piece of jewelry.A prequel to the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries. Frannie and Larry Shoemaker have busy jobs, two teenagers, and plenty of other demands on their time and sanity. Larry's sister and brother-in-law pester them to try camping for relaxation--time to sit back, enjoy nature, and catch up on naps. After all, what could go wrong? Join Frannie as "RV there yet?" becomes "RV crazy?" and she learns that going back to nature doesn't necessarily mean a simpler life.

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    Contamination Event (Short Story #1)

      Adam Wasserman
     Contamination Event (Short Story #1)

The planet Zarmina is an object of scientific research with its curious life forms and vast planetary ocean. But when amateurs from Earth arrive looking for fun and entertainment, the situation turns volatile.Contamination Event is the first in a collection of related hard science fiction short stories detailing the wonders and perils of the cosmos.The twenty-third century is a golden age for humanity. A period known as the Troubles - two hundred years of war, famine, and destructive climate change - are behind us. With enough food, energy, and medicine for everyone and robots performing most of the hard labor, individuals are free to pursue their own interests.Technology has advanced. Human beings, using a technique that allows us to fold space, have embarked on an exploration of the nearest star systems. It is an exciting and dangerous proposition, one that attracts the bravest and most curious minds.Two astronauts sent from Earth during the Troubles to scout out Proxima Centauri suddenly arrive to find that everyone has forgotten about them. One hundred years have passed since their departure. After a period of mental recovery, they, too, join in this remarkable endeavor.Contamination Event is a collection of related hard science fiction short stories detailing the wonders and perils of the cosmos.

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    Wanderlust

      Ann Aguirre
     Wanderlust

Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. Jax has worked for the Farwan Corporation her entire career. But now the word’s out that the Corp deliberately crashed a passenger ship, and their stranglehold on intergalactic commerce has crumbled—which means that Jax is out of a job. She’s also broke, due to being declared dead a little prematurely. So when the government asks her to head up a vital diplomatic mission, Jax takes it. Her mandate: journey to the planet Ithiss-Tor and convince them to join the Conglomerate. But Jax’s payday is light years away. First, she’ll have to contend with Syndicate criminals, a stormy relationship with her pilot, man-eating aliens, and her own grimspace-weakened body. She’ll be lucky just to make it to Ithiss-Tor alive…

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    The Legion of Lazarus

      Edmond Hamilton
     The Legion of Lazarus

Leopold Classic Library is delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive collection. As part of our on-going commitment to delivering value to the reader, we have also provided you with a link to a website, where you may download a digital version of this work for free. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. Whilst the books in this collection have not been hand curated, an aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature. As a result of this book being first published many decades ago, it may have occasional imperfections. These imperfections may include poor picture quality, blurred or missing text. While some of these imperfections may have appeared in the original work, others may have resulted from the scanning process that has been applied. However, our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. While some publishers have applied optical character recognition (OCR), this approach has its own drawbacks, which include formatting errors, misspelt words, or the presence of inappropriate characters. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with an experience that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic book, and that the occasional imperfection that it might contain will not detract from the experience.

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    Special Delivery

      Damon Knight
     Special Delivery

Special Delivery is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Damon Francis Knight is in the English language, and may not include graphics or images from the original edition. If you enjoy the works of Damon Francis Knight then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.

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