Second Stage Lensman

E. E. "Doc" Smith
Second Stage Lensman Cover

Second Stage Lensman A Historical Perspective

FKatterjohn
12/29/2018
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If one has not read pulp science fiction or E. E. "Doc" Smith in particular, "Second Stage Lensman" would be an excellent starting place. Although in the middle of the series, the forward gives a good summary of prior events and familiarizing one with the series specific terms. Many find Doc Smith difficult reads due to wooden dialogue, never ending tropes and clichéd characters. But that is vintage Pulp.

Once you get into the Pulp frame of mind, this book is an easy read. With tunnels between galaxies (worm holes), negabombs (atomic bombs) , etc., it's futuristic. Keep in mind the original version was published serially in Astounding magazine starting late 1941, just prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. War was raging in Europe and China and the world was looking for a good guy strong man to clean things up. The Lensman series had the evil Boskones from another Galaxy trying to take control Planets and Galaxy controlled by the Lensman and benevolent Arisians. A perfect backdrop for what was happening in the real world.

The answer is mass annihilation of the enemy with acceptable, to the Lensman, collateral damage. Remember, the twentieth century was the bloodiest on record with two World Wars, genocide, gulags and bombing of civilians. More civilians were killed than combatants in conflicts. Given what was happening in the real world the Lensman universe was not out of place.

For me, "Second Stage Lensman" is incentive to read more Pulp sci-fi and Doc Smith.

https://booksnpulp.com/authors/e-e-doc-smith-2/