Triplanetary: Lensman Series

I'd read Doc Smith's "Triplanetary" many years ago. I bought this edition, and was unpleasantly surprised to find that it was missing several portions I remembered: the Atlantis, Rome, WWI, WWII, and WWIII sequences.

The book doesn't have publisher or copyright information in it, either, which makes it hard to know what call this one. Describing the cover (a bunch of old-looking books, piled together, some open) might not be sufficient, as cover designs can be changed. The back cover has ISBN 9781466332638, which might be sufficient. The last page has "Made in the USA/San Bernardino, CA/20 July 2013", but no publisher name; and there's no copyright information anywhere.

To be fair, this may be a reprint of the 1934 magazine serial, rather than a reprint of the 1948 book; both had the same name. The product description was unusually vague. I would very much have liked to know what I was getting, though. Most E. E. Smith fans would expect a book titled "Triplanetary" to be the book version, and I, for one, was quite disappointed.

One of the all time classics of Science Fiction..and giving birth to many or our modern day Sci Fi giants like Star
Trek and Star Wars...First of the Lensmens series, a must for anyone with an interest in deep space fiction...

I first read this epic series about forty years ago and it is thrilling now as it was then. Any readers of real science fiction will have no problem with recognizing the true quality of this groundbreaking series.

Several of Smith's technical "Inventions" stir the mind as new scientific hint at the possibility of finally fulfilling them. The romance reminds us of how much attitudes have (not) changed in the past century regarding diverse things like men, women, management and the role of Government.

This was the first space opera, written in the 30's. I first read the Lensmen series in 1979, and have been looking for it ever since. Triple tray is only the first of the series, the remainder of which needs to be digitized ASAP! But, Triplanetary stands on its own very nicely. Hopefully someday we will get the rest of the series.

I've enjoyed the Lensman series since junior high. This version seems to be straight out of the copy I originally purchased wa back when. If you don't mind the semi archaic language and syntax it's a great read.

Triplanetary (together with the remaining Lensman novels) has been among my favorite books for over 40 years. It was a joy to discover that the novel exists in an audio form I can share with my friends who prefer to listen to their novels.

Classic 50's science fiction but still a ripping good yarn. The technology referenced is pre-computer and printed circuit so the references to vacuum tubes and radio waves will be foreign to younger readers.

It works very well as an introduction to the Lensman series, with many hints at what is to be developed in the later books. I read it when I was very much younger and it hasn't lost it's appeal for me.

Contrary to what you may be expecting, this book does not contain the full text of the first installment of Dr. Smith's Lensman series.

What it does contain is a short story which was later folded into the first installment of the series. If you're looking to get into the Lensman series, find an edition which contains the proper material.

All of the recently purchased EE "Doc" Smith's books from the store distributors were in the condition described... or better. Now I have 2 of Smith's most well-known entire collections in readable, keepable paperback format. Thanks, the store. Regards, Q-Branch

(This review refers to the volume copyright 2009 by Cosmos Books/Wildside Press; ISBN 978-0-8439-5949-9.)

I was born in the late 1970s, but I've always loved SF from earlier eras, such as early work by Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, etc. I've encountered many mention of the 'Lensmen' series, and had it on my list of 'classics' to check out. I'm quite capable of reading a classic piece in historical context -- I enjoyed "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", despite its somewhat dated style and science -- so I bought this book to get started with Lensmen.

I was quite confused when all the elements I'd read of -- Arisians, Eddorians, Boskone, even the Lensmen themselves -- were quite simply absent from this book. Was my memory wrong? Had I confused this story with something else?

No, it turns out, I was simply grossly misled by the publisher. This book doesn't contain any Lensman content, despite the claims on the cover. The first published Lensman story was "Galatic Patrol". "Triplanatary" was published prior to that, and originally had nothing to do with Lensman. After the success of the Lensman series, "Triplantary" was modifed to be connected to the Lensman world, apparently by prefixing and suffixing additional chapters. Those chapters ARE NOT PRESENT IN THIS BOOK.

The other story in this book, "Masters of Space", has apparently never had anything to do with 'Lensman', even retroactively. I can only assume it was just thrown in as padding.

The publisher flat-out lied. This is such a blatant misrepresentation I'm seriously intending to seek a return/refund on this book. I have purchased and own hundreds of books; this will be the first I've ever tried to return. Bad stories I've bought and kept; that's a risk associated with any book. This isn't a book I disliked; this is simply not the book the cover claims it is.

It is missing the two billion year introductory historical sections. Nothing about Arisians, Eddorians, rise and fall of the various major civilizations of Earth and much more that is, in my opinion necessary for informed, reading enjoyment.
What a mess! It truly vacuums.
T