Triplanetary (eBook)
“Triplanetary” by Edward E. Smith, first published in 1934 as a serial and revised in 1948 for book form, is a foundational work in the genre of space opera science fiction. It serves as a prequel to Smith’s famed Lensman series, setting the stage for one of the earliest and most influential interstellar sagas in science fiction history.
The novel spans millennia, beginning with an epic cosmic conflict between two ancient alien races: the benevolent Arisians and the malevolent Eddorians. Their secret influence shapes the course of human evolution and civilization. The main narrative eventually settles in the future of Earth, where the Triplanetary League—an alliance of Earth, Mars, and Venus—struggles to maintain peace and order in the face of pirate raids and sinister galactic threats.
Key characters include Conway Costigan, a brave and resourceful Triplanetary agent; Virgil Samms, who later becomes a central figure in the Lensman series; and various enemies, including the nefarious pirate Gray Roger, who hides an even darker identity.
Packed with futuristic technology, space battles, and sweeping adventure, Triplanetary blends scientific imagination with thrilling storytelling. It laid the groundwork for many of the space operas that followed and remains a classic in early pulp science fiction literature.
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About the Author
Edward E. Smith (1890–1965), often called “Doc” Smith, was a pioneering American science fiction writer best known for his space opera novels. Born on May 2, 1890, in Wisconsin, he earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from George Washington University, which earned him his nickname. He worked in the food industry before becoming a full-time writer. His background in science helped him create complex futuristic worlds with scientific plausibility.
Smith rose to fame with his Lensman and Skylark series, which laid the foundation for modern space opera. His novel Triplanetary, published in 1934 as a serial and revised in 1948, is the first in the Lensman series chronologically. It depicts the conflict between powerful intergalactic civilizations and introduces the idea of a secretive galactic organization fighting evil forces, influencing generations of science fiction writers.
In midlife, Smith became one of the most popular science fiction authors of the pulp magazine era. His writing was known for its epic battles, superhuman characters, and grand cosmic scale. Though not always critically acclaimed, his works were beloved by fans and highly influential.
Edward E. Smith died on August 31, 1965. His imaginative legacy continues to shape the genre of science fiction to this day.