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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Science fiction ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Fiction / General; Fiction / Science Fiction / General; ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Literary Collections / General; ... Read more

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This title has fewer than 24 printed text pages.

Crossroads of Destiny is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by H. Beam Piper is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of H. Beam Piper then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Fiction / Science Fiction / Short Stories; Fiction / General; ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Private investigators; Murder; Fiction / Mystery ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A sci-fi author tries his hand at mystery
This novel is H. Beam Piper's only known mystery work, a fact that readers will regret after reading this compelling crime drama.(Piper is better know for science-fiction novels like Little Fuzzy, Space Viking, and Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen.)In this novel private detective Jefferson Davis Rand is hired to catalog an extensive gun collection after the owner's apparent suicide.(Some chilling real-life foreshadowing here: Piper would eventually kill himself using a firearm from his own collection.)But Rand soon suspects foul play and quickly finds himself at the center ofmurder investigation.

Besides introducing Rand, a private detective cut from the same cloth as many of those from the most famous of 20th century mystery fiction, this novel also shows off Piper's extensive knowledge of firearms.A product of the era in which it was written this mystery will still be enjoyed by contemporary readers.

from my wish list
I looked for this for a long time and finally found it. Thank you.This author never disappoints, even though some of his attitudes are old-fashioned.But then, so am I.

A great book
Jefferson Davis Rand is a well-know private investigator with a well-known hobby - antique gun collecting. When a grieving widow comes to his office to have him help with the sale of the antique guns from her late husband's collection, Jeff quickly realizes that there's been foul play, and that he needs to get to the bottom of it. Yep, he's quite right, Mr. Fleming was indeed murdered with one of his own handguns, but can Jeff stay alive long enough to figure out who did it?

H. Beam Piper (1904-64) is largely forgotten today, but if he is remembered at all, it is for his wonderful science fiction stories. However, in 1953, Mr. Piper tried his hand at mystery writing, and this is the results of his labor. Overall, I found it to be a good solid mystery, appearing to be of the same generation as Ellery Queen. That is to say, it does show its age, but nonetheless it is a very good exciting mystery.

If you are a fanatical fan of H. Beam Piper (like me!), then you really should try to get this book - with its confident hero, doing what it takes to make things right, it's classic Piper. If you are a mystery fan, then I would recommend this book to you as a great work of 1950s mystery writing in the old style. Either way, it's a great book, one that I highly recommend!

Holds up quite well, nearly 50 years later
Having read almost all of Piper's science fiction and enjoyed it, I was curious about his one mystery novel.I'd seen references to it for years, but never actually saw the book.I finally acquired it several years back, though it sat on my shelf until last week.I had put off reading it, because I was afraid it might disappoint, compared to favorites like "Lord Kalvan", or that it would seem terribly dated.I needn't have worried.The writing was crisp, the characters interesting, and the gun lore fascinating.In short, it has held up as well as many other books from the '50s that are still popular, such as Stout's Nero Wolfe. It's a shame Piper didn't live to publish the sequel or to explore the mystery genre further.

The Old Earth edition included interesting biographical and bibliographical info on Piper, and it was nicely printed on good quality paper. ... Read more

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Classic Science Fiction Collection

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A lot of entertainment for a reasonable price.
Classic Science Fiction Collection. (100+ Works) Incl. Flatland, Burroughs, H. Beam Piper, Andre Norton, H. G. Wells & more (mobi)

This is an amazing anthology! Some of these novels are reasonably well known and often republished, but most of them are difficult to find anywhere else, making this an essential collection for a true fan of the genre. The titles include, but are not limited to A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Invaders from the Infinite by John Wood Campbell, The Lost World and The Poison Belt by Arthur Conan Doyle, Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper, The Mysterious Island and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne, The Invisible Man and The Time Machine by H. G. Wells. There are so many novels here ranging from good to marvellous that I simply had to write a review praising this incredible collection. This ebook is easy to recommend. ... Read more

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This title has fewer than 24 printed text pages.

The Answer is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by H. Beam Piper is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of H. Beam Piper then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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An interesting science fiction story
It has been fifteen years since the nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union devastated the entire northern half of the planet Earth, and now nuclear scientists Professor Doctor Lee Richardson and Comrade Professor Alexis Petrovitch Pitov are working together on a project in Argentina. During their research, they have created fifteen kilograms of negamatter iron, and they are going to drop it from space to see what happens. However, they may be answering questions that many people have forgotten.

This story has the distinction of being the first book in H. Beam Piper's excellent Terro-Human Future History series. That is, it takes place in 1984, before the discovery of contragravity, before mankind has left his broken cradle of a world.

Now, unlike many of Piper's books, this one does not revolve around a self-reliant man, and there is no cultural conflict ala First Cycle. Instead, what this is is an interesting science fiction story of discovery. If you are a fan of the Terro-Human Future History, then you really must read this 1959 Piper special. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

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This Halcyon Classics ebook is H. Beam Piper's Hugo-nominated novel, LITTLE FUZZY.

One day Jack Holloway, prospector on the planet Zarathustra, finds what seems to be a small monkey with golden fur; these new introductions (for the first brings a family) are tiny hunters, and prove to be curious and capable tool users. Why is this so important to the new human settlers? - Because a planet inhabited by a sapient race cannot be monopolized by the Zarathustra Company.

This ebook is DRM free.
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Genesis
He Walked Around the Horses
Last Enemy
Police Operation
Temple Trouble
Time Crime ... Read more

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When the whole ornery state of Texas took off for a new planet more to their liking, New Texas was the result: a rough-and-tumble world where everyone packs a gun and it's legal to shoot politicians (if they deserve it)! But now these rugged and independent space pioneers are the targets of an expansive race of aliens. Is the Solar League's new ambassador tough enough to steer them back to Earth's embrace? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Cowboys Under Capella
A Planet For Texans (1958) (AKA: Lone Star Planet) is a short standalone SF novel.It is set on Capella IV, a planet settled by virtually the entire population of the State of Texas circa 2100.The inhabitants have a culture based on the legends of the nineteenth century rancheros, although they herd fifteen tons beasts with the best flavor in the known universe.Each major ranch has a force of about five hundred cowboys who herd the supercows with medium tanks and supersonic aircraft.

In this novel, Stephen Silk writes an interesting article on the future course of the Solar League and is quickly called to the office of the Secretary of State to discuss his future in the Department.Silk is a member of the Consular Service, but the new job requires a transfer to the Diplomatic Service with the title of Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary.

Silk is assigned to fill a vacancy on New Texas caused by the murder of the previous ambassador.He is hustled out of the Solar System to his new job without much of a briefing.The paperwork to be opened only after the first jump says little about the planet except the last messages of the previous four ambassadors.

One of the surprises of his new job is the secretary assigned to him.Hoddy Ringo knows little about being a secretary, but a lot about guns.He is obviously a bodyguard and guide.

Other surprises include a trunk full of local clothes -- colorful shirts and four pairs of levis of different dark shades -- as well as a pair of automatic pistols and a trick gunbelt.He is ordered to wear the clothes and carry the guns at all times when he is outside the embassy.He is also ordered to destroy the documents, although the need to do so is rather obscure.

Silk takes the precaution of searching Hoddy's room while the bodyguard is busy with an Alderbaran widow.He finds a letter addressed to the Department of Aggression attache on New Texas, but hasn't the equipment to open it surreptitiously.He reckons that it is only a letter of credence with the real message passed verbally.

In this story, Silk figures that he is being setup to provoke a takeover of the Capellan System.Still, he is charged with discovering the reasons for -- and perpetrators of -- the murder of his predecessor.He also wants to learn the name of the blonde who joined his boisterous party with Hoddy prior to arrival in the Capellan System.

Landing at the New Texas spaceport, Silk is greeted with overwhelming passion by a party from the embassy and never gets to talk to the blonde, whom he now remembers is named Gail.He is hustled away from the spaceport -- even half carried -- by his staff and flown out in the back of an embassy aircar.Soon they find themselves being followed by two aircars of identical make and successfully evade the pursuers.

After sliding into the open gates of the embassy shortly thereafter, Silk is greeted by more of his staff and taken inside.The staff insist that he has to immediately complete the paperwork to take over his new position.After firmly refusing to sign anything without an inventory, Silk issues orders for a public statement about his arrival.

Then a New Texas Rangers captain arrives and is surprised to find him alive and well in the proper building.It seems that the Rangers had received a report of a kidnapping and had lost the fleeing vehicle in the pursuit.Apologizing for the confusion, Silk has a quick drink with the officer -- ain't extraterritoriality wonderful -- and then leaves for the welcoming barbecue (which had started hours before when his ship had just arrived in the system).

This tale is a farce based on the popular stereotype of Texas.Being a Texan myself, I can state with full solemnity that barbecues of that style and size are not frequent among the common population of the state.However, politicians -- such as LBJ -- do have them rather more often.

The universal carrying of weapons in New Texas is also an exaggerated conception of common practice in the state.More people own and use personal weapons in Texas than in Eastern states, but the practice of carrying such weapons is nowhere near universal.Even less common is personal ownership of armed tanks and aircraft;in fact, the armed state of New Texas hasn't been seen in Texas since the days of the cattle barons.

Despite this Hollywoodish depiction of Texans, the story is a rather good tale of police work and appropriate application of justice.Although this is the only story about New Texas, the authors have written similar SF action novels:Crisis In 2140 and Empire. The senior author has also written other SF tales in a similar vein:The Cosmic Computer and Uller Uprising.Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Piper & McGuire fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of fast adventure, political intrigue, and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Absolutely great!
This story stands alone, which is to say that is it is not in Piper's Terro-Human Future History or Paratime milieus. New Texas was founded when the whole ornery state of Texas built themselves spaceships and headed out to the new frontier - space. But now, these rugged and independent New Texans are the target of an expansive race of extraterrestrials, and it's up to the Solar League's ambassador to guide them back into Earth's embrace. Well, mister, it's going to take one tough and wily ambassador to steer the New Texans - but is Stephen Silk that tough and that wily?

This story is absolutely great! H. Beam Piper (1904-64) is one of the little recognized greats of science fiction. He was an expert at creating fascinating worlds that were both fantastic and yet utterly believable, and this story shows his writing ability off to great effect. If you like good sci-fi, then you will like this book. If you are a fan of H. Beam Piper, then it is a must-have!

The previous reviewer is an abject illiterate
..
That which rouses the ire of the damnfool in question is the central political theme in "A Planet for Texans."

Originally published in the magazine FANTASTIC UNIVERSE (Vol. 7, No. 3, March 1957), this novella was expanded by John J. McGuire and published as a short novel (LONE STAR PLANET) in 1958.

This work is a clear and obvious tribute to H.L. Mencken's classic essay "The Malevolent Jobholder" (from THE AMERICAN MERCURY, June 1924), in which Mencken proposed:

"...that it shall be no longer malum in se for a citizen to pummel, cowhide, kick, gouge, cut, wound, bruise, maim, burn, club, bastinado, flay, or even lynch a [government] jobholder, and that it shall be malum prohibitum only to the extent that the punishment exceeds the jobholder's deserts. The amount of this excess, if any, may be determined very conveniently by a petit jury, as other questions of guilt are now determined."

In 1999, the novel won the Prometheus Award, Hall of Fame Award for Best Classic Libertarian SF Novel. This tongue-in-cheek tale features a planet of Texans whose dinosaur-sized cattle have to be herded with tanks and helicopers, and whose system of government derives its character from Mencken's essay.

The protagonist is an insubordinate Terran junior diplomat who is appointed as ambassador to this cantankerously independent planet in the hope that he will be assassinated (as the previous ambassador had been), thereby justifying the forcible invasion and conquest of the Texans. The crux of the story is the trial of the previous ambassador's assassins - actually paid killers hired by an alien empire also planning invasion - under a legal system that considers the killing of a practicing politician to be justifiable homicide.

Anyone but a blank and drooling idiot would have recognized the tribute paid by Piper and McGuire in originating this story, and the saliva-spattered initial reviewer is invited to read the inspiration in Mencken's essay, which was compiled in THE MENCKEN CHRESTOMATHY (1949) and is prsently available freely online.

Withal, an interesting premise, carried out with typical '50s-style space opera ingenuity and light-hearted disrespect for government authority.
--

Fuel for the world's Lee Harvey Oswalds
Piper premised "A Planet for Texans" (APFT) on the idea that you have a right to murder with impunity any democratically elected politician you don't like, and he showed it in action on a planet settled by descendants of Texans. I have to wonder if Lee Harvey Oswald got his inspiration from reading APFT before he assassinated President Kennedy in the terrestrial Texas in 1963. APFT doesn't look that far removed in spirit from "The Turner Diaries," which inspired Timothy McVeigh to bomb the Murrah building in 1995. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Piper's most interesting Paratime novel
With the transition of much of H. Beam Piper's work into the public domain several publishers have finally begun to bring Piper's work back into print and for that fans of Piper owe them a debt of gratitude.This novel is a particularly auspicious first entry from Echo Library!While Piper's novel Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen is perhaps the most well-known of Piper's Paratime yarns it is Time Crime that gives us the most extensive insight into the "First Level" civilization that guards the Paratime Secret of a multitude of parallel worlds while simultaneously exploiting them for its own gain.In this novel the Paratime Police discover a cross-time slavery ring run by the Wizard Traders, a shadowy organization with ties to powerful interests in First Level society.Led by Verkan Vall--known by Lord Kalvan in his undercover role as "Trader Verkan"--the Paracops seek to discover the hidden base of the Wizard Traders while the mysterious crime syndicate's allies seek to erode political support for the Paratime Police at home.Part crime drama, part political intrigue, and all sci-fi action this novel is a great introduction to Piper's Paratime stories and to his work more generally.

Also recommended by Piper are Little Fuzzy, Last Enemy, and The Complete Paratime. ... Read more

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This Halcyon Classics ebook is H. Beam Piper's classic science fiction novel TIME CRIME.

The Paratime Police had a real headache this time! Tracing one man in a population of millions is easy--compared to finding one gang hiding out on one of billions of probability lines!

Henry Beam Piper (1904-1964).He is best known for his extensive Terro-Human Future History series of stories and a shorter series of "Paratime" alternate history tales.Piper wrote several loosely-related space opera series and several highly-acclaimed novels, one of which, LITTLE FUZZY, won a Hugo Award in 1963.
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_The isolated little group they found were doing fine-- but their religion was most strange--and yet quite logical!_ ... Read more