Customer Reviews

First Lensman

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book chronicles the founding of the Galactic Patrol, and sets the stage for the Lensman books to follow. I read it because of Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski's strong recommendation, and have not been disappointed. In fact, Babylon 5 fans will see a lot of parallels between B5 and the Lensman series. About the only criticism I can think of for Smith's work is that his books move along at a comfortable pace until the last couple of chapters, when the action starts happening at "light-speed". It always leaves me feeling like I've been waiting a long time for the ending and it's over almost before I can enjoy it. But that's a minor criticism, and it hasn't stopped me from reading the rest of this fascinating series of books!

I was a little kid when I read this book, but seeing it again reminded me of what a great series it is part of. It was all created by Edward E. "Doc" Smith, Ph.D. Sure the book is dated but it was written in the 1940s and that was almost a different world than the one that came to be. Example: amid all the super-advanced technology, computers don't play a role. The illustrations (great ones by A.J. Donnell, by the way) show hats and haircuts and aerodynamic spaceships you won't see outside of a classic film festival. Sure you can kick some holes in the plot and none of the book is politically correct, but wow it is fun!

Your first time with the Lensman books is something you won't forget. Go get them and enjoy! And how I wish I could read them all again for the first time, learning about Arisia, evil Eddore and the Lens of Civilization. It was just plain fun.

Space opera as an art form from the golden age of SF. E.E.Doc Smith (a Dr. of nutrition of all things!) wrote one of the best (if somewhat dated) SF series. The Lensman spawned cartoons, comics, and a second, much lamer, series (not by Smith.) This is the ultimate battle between good and evil, dark and light, spanning time and space. Corny - you bet. Unforgetable? Yep. If you like SF (and you must, otherwise you would not be here, right?) then read this series. It was out of print for many years - now it's back. Grab it while you can!

"First Lensman" is the true start of the lensman series of stories. Virgil Samms starts the Galactic Patrol, is given the first lens, and battles the bad guys. Let us not quibble about stuff. This is a good adventure story.

Politically correct folks will carp at this and that. Other critics may try to point to out-dated 'science'. Ignore them. Just have fun reading a fast-paced adventure.

I recommend this book.

E.E. Smith was as much of a pioneer in the field of science fiction as Jules Verne or H.G. Wells were. Was his writing as cultured as theirs? No, but he was a marvelous storyteller, and contributed a number of "firsts" in science fiction. The first intergalactic tales, the first "space operas," and the first stories of the scientist as hero (all beginning with "Skylark of Space" in 1928). With his Lensmen series, Smith tells tales on a somewhat more ambitious scope, and even manages to get a bit mystical with his dualistic struggle between the godlike Arisians and the satanic Eddorians. The Lensmen, agents of the Arisians, become the human instruments of this struggle. Each Lensmen is gifted with a bracelet-like device containing a multi-faceted lens which can be worn by that person alone, and which enables the wearer to share a telepathic rapport with all other Lensmen, as well as amplifying the wearer's abilities to superhuman levels. What is interesting is that in the 1960's, comic-book editor Julius Schwartz used the Lensmen concept in his revamp of the DC superhero "Green Lantern." Instead of a bracelet, each hero in the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps wore a power ring. Schwartz's counterparts to the Arisians were the Guardians of the Universe. Arguments can be made that the Lensmen series is sexist (in "First Lensman," women are denied the Lens) or racist (the Lensmen family lineage constructed by the Arisians is all white), but we're still dealing with quite a story for 1934. For further details on Smith, check out my E.E. Smith web page at http://www.noblecan.org/~mfraley/smith.html

When I was eight years old, my parents bought me a science fiction book titiled "Tom Corbet, Space Cadet". From that moment on I was an avid science fiction reader. That was some forty-one years ago and I still read sci-fi today. THE most meaningful and well written series I have ever read is the 'Lensman' series by E.E. "Doc" Smith. These stories created extremely vivid images of unknown forces such as the Lens of Arisia, fantastic ships with amazing, yet believeable weaponry, and, of course Boskone, the epitomy of Organized Crime. This classic struggle of Good against Evil is epoch with characters who became the best roll models a young person could have; those with an unyielding sense of right and a desire to make the universe (world) a better, safer place to live. I read my paperback copies of these books until they were no longer readable, but I still have them. I have collected science fiction for forty plus years and have a fairly large collection. Of all those books, only a few have the metal it takes to be remembered years after they were read and the Lensman series is one of those. I am so glad to find them in hardcover and would recommend them not only to the young sci-fi reader, but also the true sci-fi reader who is young at heart

First Lensman (1950) is the second SF novel in the Lensman series, following Triplanetary. In the previous volume, Costigan and Clio escaped from Gray Roger, but were captured by the Nevians and taken to their planet. Nevians destroyed the planetoid, but Gray Roger got away. The Triplanetary super-ship attacked the second Nevian ship and drove it away from Earth.

In this novel, Virgil Samms is a Solarian Councillor. He is also father to Virgilia "Jill" Samms.

Roderick K. Kinnison is the Public Safety Commissioner for the Solar Council. Rod is the father of John "Jack" Kinnison.

Conway Murphy Costigan is a Sector Chief in the Triplanetary Service. He is now married to Clio.

Mason Northrop is a Master Electronicist in the Triplanetary Service. Mase is a close friend of Jack Kinnison.

Nels Bergenholm is a young scientist in the Triplanetary Service. He is also a persona animated by the Arisians.

Drounli is an Arisian. He is also one of the Molders of Civilization, whom the Terrans knows as Mentor.

Gharlane is a very highly ranked Eddorian. He has used the persona of Gray Roger for many years.

In this story, Virgil has a problem. The enemies of civilization have found a way of imitating the golden meteor badge that identifies an agent of the Triplanetary Service. Moreover, poor communications with the various sapients encountered by Triplanetary agents has greatly hampered operations.

Samms has asked Bergenholm to find a solution to these and other problems facing the Service. Naturally, Bergenholm knows that the answer to these problems is the Lens. He suggests that Samms visit Arisia.

In the vicinity of Arisia -- which is normally unapproachable -- Samms and his crew experience a vision. They believe that Samms leaves the ship and lands on Arisia. There he meets a being called Mentor and receives the first Lens. Mentor also gives him a cased Lens for Rod Kinnison.

Upon returning to Earth, Samms delivers the Lens to Rod and is highly impressed by the strength of his friend's mind. Then he starts looking for others worthy of receiving a Lens. He sends Jill, Jack, Mase and Spud to Arisia.

When the younger set returns, the men all have Lens, but Jill does not. The men are very uncomfortable about her lack, but Jill explains that women and Lens are not compatible. Only one woman will ever wear a Lens. Besides, Jill does not need a Lens to use her talents.

Virgil also searches for aliens capable of wearing a Lens. He finds one on Rigel Four among the blind and deaf natives. He also finds a suitable candidate among the ultrafrigid natives on Palain Seven, but Samms is not sure whether he will ever go to Arisia.

This tale takes the Lensmen into assassination plots and space attacks. Their opponents use every dirty trick in the book to turn public opinion against the new Galactic Patrol. Then Samms convinces Kinnison to run for President.

This novel is a bridge to the rest of the series. The next installment in this series is Galactic Patrol. It introduces Lensman Kimball Kinnison.

Highly recommended for Smith fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of advanced technology, interstellar conflict, and covert operations on exotic planets. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin

Smith rewove his spell with his second prequel to the Lensmen books. I confess that I have never read anything so energetic and face paced; in fact, every chapter is a novelette in its own right. Why haven't these books been made into films or miniseries?!

This book is essentially the story of the call of Virgil Samms as the First Lensman. With his lens, he is able to crack a futuristic drug ring. Many subplots involve the expansion of the Lensmen corps, the election of one of the Lensmen as North American President, and the formation of the Galactic Patrol.

So is this book Sci-Fi? Is it crime drama, a la "Dragnet?" Is it politics? I don't know: it crosses many genera and is as thick as "Dune" or "Lord of the Rings." I am impressed with the leap from the thin stories of Verne and Wells, to this tick and meaty tale of the future.

Admittedly there are some anachronisms, such as references to the Ether Theory, and vacuum tubes on the space ships. One character even references a "Slip-stick," which is a slide rule. But this aid to the charm and quaintness, and do not detract from a great story.

The originally thin characters round out and actually become people in this novel. I think this series finally comes alive in this book, and breaks out of the pulp mold. I see seeds of Smith's world cropping up in Star Trek, Star Wars, Forbidden Planet, Babylon Five, and other pre-WWII sci-fi novels. Truly, it was a golden age.

I am absolutely hooked on this series and eagerly await reading the remaining books.

Yes, the writing is sexist. Yes, the style is dated. What was once original and cutting edge seems clumsy and cliched, but it is we who have changed. Reading these stories is a wonderful ride to an earlier time and a less jaded vision of the future.
I suggest reading "The First Lensman," before "TriPlanetary". You will not be disappointed as you devour the rest of the series.

The Lensman Series is one of Science Fiction's great classics. It has everything. The story arch spans billions of years and travels across two galaxies. There are great space battles and secret spy intrigue. This is the ultimate battle between good and evil.

"First Lensman" is the second story in the series. Here we watch our planet explode onto the Galactic scene, barely surviving as hostile aliens try to Civilization. The Lens are a tool created by the Arisians to help Civilization. Virgil Samms is the first individual to receive a Lens. We watch as he struggles to protect our earth from politicians and pirates. He travels to Arisia where he is given a Lens. This gives him enough power to save Civilization, for now.

This books ratchets up the roller coaster ride that continues through out the rest of the Lensman series. Each book expands in scope, with bigger space battles and badder aliens. Yet in book our heroes are able, sometimes barely able, to destroy the bad guys.

If you enjoy Science Fiction and have never read the Lensman series, start with Triplanetary and then read First Lensman. You are in for a great ride.