Title:

Series: Lensman, Book 2

Author: “Doc” E. E. Smith

Genre: Science Fiction

Smith continues his epic Lensman series in First Lensman. The Arisians are continuing to monitor and influence the development of four different races in the galaxy, specifically interested in the human race from Tellus (or Earth). Where Triplanetary, the first book in the series, literally took the reader back to the very beginning of the conflict between the Eddorians and the Arisians, describing the initial developments in the Arisian’s plans to ultimately destroy the Eddorians. That book was almost a collection of short stories, leaping through history and touching on various stories of two specific genealogical lines. In the latter part of that book Smith introduces the reader to Virgil Samms, who is the central character in this novel.

Samms, who becomes the First Lensman, is the driving force behind the development of first the Interstellar Police, which he eventually sees as inadequate for the job needing to be done. When the Arisians bestow the Lens upon him and pledge to provide more for all who are worthy, Samms finally has the incorruptible sign of authority needed and so moves on to establish the Galactic Patrol and the Galactic Council to oversee interstellar matters.

This book is quite a ride. Smith weaves quite a fantastic story, and he has a rather unrelenting pace. Though it was written in the ’50s most of his technology is vague enough to mature adequately with age. Every now and then the way he perceives future technology (specifically that of computers) is definitely rooted in his understanding of computers at that time, and that causes the reader to hesitate a little – but then the story distracts you again and you realize you could care less about the tech because the story is so engaging.

Though most fans of this series will say – correctly – that it really takes off with Galactic Patrol, the next book in the series, this is no second-rate book. In fact, I recommend reading through the entire series chronologically. The books get better and better, in my mind, at least, as you go through the books in their chronological order in the Lensman universe (not chronological order of publication).

Overall I greatly enjoyed this book and would easily recommend it to anyone. Since it was written so long ago it is actually very clean as far as language and sexual material is concerned. I would just very strongly encourage anyone reading this book to get their hands on the other books in the series as well – they are classics in every sense of the word.

Worldview: secular

Recommended age: It is a very “clean” book in regards to language and sexual situations. There is a little violence, but even that is described “modestly”, though the violence may not be so mild. Thusly, as soon as a child can understand the concepts within the book, they should be okay reading it.

Title:

Series: Lensman, Book 1

Author: “Doc” E. E. Smith

Genre: Science Fiction

Triplanetary is chronologically the first book in E. E. Smith’s classic Lensmen series. The first book published was Galactic Patrol. That book drops the reader into a conflict which is already older than the earth itself, though it seems concerned with one particular Lensman, Kim Kinnison. Triplanetary goes back to the beginning and lays out the meta-narrative that particular story takes place within.

That being understood, this book, in the Lensman series, works about the same as the Silmarillion did for Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings epic. In effect, it help you to understand why Kim Kinnison is so important, and why the particular battles that he fights in Galactic Patrol (and later books) is so important. Therefore at the least the first third of the book reads more like a historical (or almost fantastical) recounting than a science fiction novel. Then it highlights particlar stories about particular individuals that make up the geneological line which is so important to the Arisians in defeating the Eddorians.

The last portion of the book is more like the science fiction fare that E. E. Smith serves up in the later books of the series. All in all, it is quite an interesting book. I found it fascinating and engaging – though I must admit I was partially already under Smith’s spell from reading about John C. Wright’s love for this particular series in his blog.

The book reads almost as a collection of short stories which are woven together to form a background for the main stories to come later. And it was written in 1948, so the flavor is a little different from modern science fiction, but I found it fresh and clear – just fun! Since it was written in that era, there really is no objectionable content as far as language or sexual situations. There is violence, but it is so masked by inference as to not be really graphic. Due to that I wouldn’t hesitate to allow my son to read this as soon as he could understand the concepts within.

An excellent book, and I highly recommend it. But don’t read it alone – make sure you work your way through all the Lensman books so you can truly enjoy the classic that Smith has woven together here.

Worldview: Secular, slightly evolutionary

Recommended Age: As long as the child can understand the material within, it should be fine.