E.E. “Doc” Smith is noted for his creation of the Lensman series. Some credit these books as the wellspring from which flow such science-fictional organizations as The Green Lantern Corps or even the Jedi: super-powered, galaxy-spanning enforcers of justice. I don’t know. I’ve only read the first book, Triplanetary.
Triplanetary apparently sets the table for the rest of the series, providing the backstory. And what a backstory. Smith wasn’t thinking small. The story begins at galactic formation, in fact galactic formation in two different universes. We are introduced to the bad guys, the Eddorians, and the good guys, the Arisians. Both are essentially immortal and possessed of godlike mental powers. The Eddorians, amoeba-like lifeforms that desire only power and subjugation, believe they are supreme in the cosmos, unaware of the Arisians, who desire the advance and preserve Civilization. To that end, the Arisians begin a sort of eugenics program on Earth, advancing and developing certain bloodlines, all while the Eddorian agent is busily destroying human civilization as it crests.
The first half of the book is episodic, following one or more people unknowingly part of the Arisian breeding program during some cataclysmic event, starting with the fall of Atlantis. Once these reach the future (“19–?” the chapter heading reads) and a limited nuclear war, we get into the second half of the book. And the super science commences, fast and furious. It reminds me somewhat of the gonzo space opera of Jack Williamson’s Legion of Space, though less swashbuckling. The action is pellmell, events occurring within a paragraph that might easily occupy a chapter. But that speed helps smooth things along, glossing over the rather imperfect understanding of the consequences of traveling faster than light. (Being able to see, firing energy beams that somehow shoot ahead of the superluminal vessel, etc.) But this isn’t about the science. It’s about a boy and a girl, captures and escapes, battles in space, destruction on a massive scale, defeating the bad guy, and a happy ending. And at that it works. It is breezy fun, like a prose comic book. (Apparently the Lensman series has been adapted as Manga and American comics. There was also a movie and an anime series. It was Big in Japan.)
The “lens” was referenced a couple of times, but never shown or explained. So, if I want to learn any more, I’ll need to pick up the next book. I like to have something to keep an eye out for when browsing through used bookstores. And I may do so, but honestly I don’t feel that I’d be missing much if I didn’t pick up another volume.
If you’ve already read Triplanetary and don’t know what to pick up next, may I suggest something of mine? How about the Semi-Autos and Sorcery series?