5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Galactic Explorers, May 31, 2006
Islands of Space (1956) is the second novel in the Arcot, Wade and Morey series, following The Black Star Passes. Originally published in Amazing Stories in the 1930, these short stories were later republished in novel form as a Fantasy Press hardback. In the former volume, the team invents weapons and devices that contribute to the defeat of the Nigrans, but after the denizens of the black star retreat back to their home planets, they rediscover the secret of the beams that can rearrange planetary orbits.
In this novel, Arcot, Wade and Morey develop some new devices using the technology of the Nigrans and build another ship with advanced capabilities. Departing the Earth, they wait until crossing the orbit of Pluto before engaging the space strain drive to take the Ancient Mariner into hyperspace. After the initial test, they find themselves fairly near to the Sirius system and travel even closer.
In the Sirius system, they find the Nigrans already there readjusting the system. After taking observations of the changes, they take the Ancient Mariner onward at greater velocity and pass too close to a red giant. The resulting jar throws their gyros and drains power; their current orientation within the galaxy is problematical. Luckily, they relocate Sol and then move on, taking photographs of the surrounding stars at each stop.
Traveling through intergalactic space, they are gravitationally captured by a collapsed star. Though they manage to break free, the great shock renders them unconscious and the ship travels without guidance for some hours. They are lost in intergalactic space.
Restoring the Ancient Mariner to full operation, they select a galaxy close to their present course and then search therein for an advanced civilization having detailed intergalactic maps. The first star that they select goes nova centuries before they reach it. They find the remains of a city among the ice containing the frozen bodies of the inhabitants. Later they locate a central repository containing the works of the frozen race, select some elementary items to learn the language, and leave a pictorial/mathematical message about their presence and origin.
The team eventually locates two planets with intelligent inhabitants, but then become embroiled in an interplanetary war. One side -- Nansal -- drives them away and the other -- Sator -- tries to entrap them. Despite these hostilities, they make friends on Nansal and pass on information about their weapons and devices. In return, the Nansalians provide them with fuel, food and other supplies and determine the path back to Sol. One of the Nansalians returns with them to tour the Solar System.
This novel provides a greater perspective on the universe as a whole. The space between galaxies is very empty; all the numerous galaxies appear to be small fuzzy disks or just tiny dots, mere islands in a vast sea. Intergalactic space is a bad place in which to be lost, but this novel shows life on some planets within the galaxies. Of course, stars die and so can life on the surrounding planets. Hence life has to be defended from natural disasters and, occasionally, intruders from other planets.
Highly recommended for Campbell fans and for anyone else who enjoys exercising their sense of wonder.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intergalactic Travel, July 6, 2008
I am going to read more of John W. Campbell Jr.. Reading science fiction written in 1930 is a little amusing at times, but I very much like the way Mr. Campbell decribes the scientific principals that are still true today. Too bad Mr. Campbell is not alive today; we would have a wonderful talent with the latest in science.
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