Triplanetary


Read by Mark F. Smith

(4.6 stars; 382 reviews)

“Doc” E.E. Smith pretty much invented the space opera genre, and Triplanetary is a good and well-known example. Physics, time, and politics never stand in the way of a plot that gallops ahead without letup.
Having earned a PhD in chemical engineering, it’s understandable that the heroes of Smith’s story are all scientists. He didn’t want to be constrained by the limits of known science, however, so in his hands the electromagnetic spectrum becomes a raw material to be molded into ever-more amazing and lethal forms, and the speed of light is no bar to traveling through the interstellar void.
Come enjoy this story of yesteryear, set in tomorrow, where real women ignite love at a glance, real men achieve in days what governments manage in decades, and aliens are an ever-present threat to Life-As-We-Know-It! (Summary by Mark F. Smith) (6 hr 25 min)

Chapters

01 - Pirates of Space 41:13 Read by Mark F. Smith
02 - In Roger's Planetoid 36:52 Read by Mark F. Smith
03 - Fleet Against Planetoid 25:23 Read by Mark F. Smith
04 - Within the Red Veil 40:33 Read by Mark F. Smith
05 - Nevian Strife 39:54 Read by Mark F. Smith
06 - Worm, Submarine, and Freedom 15:20 Read by Mark F. Smith
07 - The Hill 27:09 Read by Mark F. Smith
08 - The Super-Ship Is Launched 13:59 Read by Mark F. Smith
09 - Specimens 10:14 Read by Mark F. Smith
10 - The Boise Acts 33:35 Read by Mark F. Smith
11 - Roger Carries On 33:32 Read by Mark F. Smith
12 - The Specimens Escape 38:48 Read by Mark F. Smith
13 - The Meeting of the Giants 28:47 Read by Mark F. Smith

Reviews

Starts great....


(4 stars)

This story really started out great and even seemed quite contemporary in the beginning.... However, the farther along it went, the more improbable and predictable it got. By the end I didn't finish listening to the final chapter... No worries, I think the first three quarters of the story were worth a listen as Doc Smith had some great ideas that would be quite revolutionary in their day. Towards the end, it got a little too absurd and predictable to hold my attention. Again, I want to state that Doc Smith had some revolutionary ideas for his time that made this story a great listen for 90% of the tale. Unfortunately the "love interest" part really showed the banal shortcomings of it's era. By the end, a ray or a beam for every affliction or problem was predictable by its boring redundancy. Despite all my complaints, as compared to other works of the contemporaries, I still want to give this four stars. (How do ya figure???) Mr Mark Smith gives a FANTASTIC performance in his reading! Such a talent! Librivox, The Internet Archive, and all those who get the benefit of these works are so fortunate for all those folks who selflessly devote their time and talents. I know I speak for countless others when I offer a million thanks to all those involved!

Thoroughly Enjoyable!


(5 stars)

Another winner from Mark Smith; and what I suppose to be a good intro to E. E. 'Doc' Smith. Plenty of action, lots of fantastic (although not totally ridiculous) technology, good story and decent character development. I know this was shoehorned into the Lensman Series but I like it as a stand alone story personally. I am definitely interested in reading/hearing more E. E. Smith books now. The more I listen to it, the more I like this old school SciFi.


(5 stars)

mark f smith is the perfect reader, a real delight to listen to. i wish i could somehow donate to him, he has given me hours of pure bliss

This is a great story


(5 stars)

I loved how the perspectives of different alien races is involved, it makes for a great story. The people of Sol (Earth) are just dumb monkey apes who have LOTS of iron in their cities and in their blood! The Nevians plan to have all of it, since they are just dumb animals, it is no big loss. The people of Sol are much more than that, and prove it. Mark Smith is an excellent reader. This story has two versions on LV, and I have listened to them both. I am hoping that the sequels are read next! What a ride! Oh, and I don't expect Star Wars quality stories since they are older stories from an earlier time. I just want a good story that takes me away from my desk, and this does exactly that. :-) Enjoy!

triplanetary


(5 stars)

This book, very ably and entertainingly read by Mark F. Smith is such a throwback, socially, culturally and scientifically, that it was almost funny in places. As such "space operas" go, its content has been overtaken by modern events and inventions as well as social and cultural change, it is almost a window into our own past vs a science fiction vision into our future. I have come to greatly admire Mr Smith's reading skills, noting how his expressiveness supports and frames the reading rather than distracting from the book's content.

A good story and a great rendering by Mark F. Smith.


(4 stars)

If the stars would represent the reading, Mr. Smith deserves all five of them. He brings the story to life by giving every character its own personality and unique voice. The story was entertaining but a little corny at times (this according to my own taste).


(4.5 stars)

Well read. Fun story meant for teenage readers of a few generations ago. However, well worth a listen....if for no other reason than Mr Smith reads it so well.

A heck of a trip


(4 stars)

Cheesy as hell but grabs you and whisks you along for the wild ride. Well read Mr. Smith.