Author
Ben Bova
1932-2020
Ben Bova (1932-2020) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Ben Bova
A long way back
"A Long Way Back" by Ben Bova is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The narrative is set in a post-apocalyptic future where civilization is struggling to rebuild after a devastating war. The story centers around the theme of human resilience and technological hope, particularly focusing on the journey of the protagonist as he attempts to assemble a power-beaming satellite that could restore energy to a world plagued by destruction and despair. The protagonist, Tom Morris, is a former historian who becomes the unlikely pilot tasked with assembling the satellite in orbit. Facing numerous challenges, including intense cold and his own doubts, Tom works to connect the satellite’s components under the direction of his superiors, including the ambitious Jason. Throughout his mission, he grapples with questions about survival, the future of civilization, and the importance of human knowledge amid a backdrop of secrecy and fear of the outside world. Ultimately, as he completes the satellite, Tom is faced with a choice that weighs not only his fate but the fate of humanity itself—choosing to ensure the satellite's power beams down to a more promising area of Earth, forcing his companions to confront the necessity of reintegrating with the remnants of civilization.
The Dueling Machine
"The Dueling Machine" by Ben Bova and Myron R. Lewis is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story explores a futuristic society where personal disputes are settled through a high-tech dueling machine that creates a shared hallucination for the participants, allowing them to engage in combat without physical harm. The main character, Prime Minister Dulaq, finds himself in a life-or-death duel against Major Odal, which not only threatens his life but also the political stability of the Acquataine Cluster. At the start of the narrative, Dulaq prepares for his duel within an intricate cityscape created by the machine, fully believing in the authenticity of the simulated environment. As he searches for Odal, the tension builds, revealing Dulaq's internal struggle and desperation as he attempts to navigate the surreal and often nightmarish world the machine conjures. While he grapples with the illusion of reality, the stakes of his fight go beyond personal survival, intertwining with broader political ramifications. This intricate setup lays the groundwork for a compelling exploration of power, technology, and the nature of conflict in a world where reality and fiction collide.
Answer, please answer
"Answer, please answer" by Ben Bova is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story unfolds at the South Pole, where two astronomers, drafted into military service, are tasked with monitoring meteorological patterns in the midst of an emerging global crisis. The book explores themes of communication, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and the terrifying implications of nuclear technology. The plot revolves around the two main characters, an optical astronomer and his colleague Rizzo, as they discover an inexplicable, repetitive signal emanating from a nearby Cepheid variable star. As they decode this mysterious message, they uncover a desperate plea from an alien civilization that has developed advanced technology and nuclear weapons. The narrative becomes increasingly tense as they realize that the civilization is transmitting its history and expressing a fear of impending doom, ultimately revealing that their star has exploded due to a catastrophic nuclear event. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of technological advancement and humanity's own vulnerabilities.
The towers of Titan
"The Towers of Titan" by Ben Bova is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around the enigmatic and ancient machines located on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, and the efforts of a group of Earth scientists to decipher their purpose and origins. With themes of exploration and the confrontation of the unknown, the book delves into the complexities of human curiosity and the existential dread that arises from encountering a seemingly incomprehensible alien technology. The story follows Dr. Sidney Lee, an anthropologist who returns to Titan after an earlier emotional breakdown caused by the mysteries surrounding the towers and their continuous operation for millions of years. As Lee reintegrates into the scientific community, he grapples with the unknown alongside his colleague Elaine. The team struggles to understand the functionality of the towers, which are found to be manipulating gravity waves that could affect Earth's climate over time. Discovering that the machines were likely built by a hostile alien race, the narrative culminates in Lee's realization that understanding this alien technology is crucial for the future of humanity. Ultimately, the book is a gripping exploration of humanity's quest for knowledge in the face of potential existential threats from the cosmos.
The Next Logical Step
"The Next Logical Step" by Ben Bova is a science fiction work published in the early 1960s. The book explores the implications of advanced military technology and computer simulations in warfare, focusing on how they can affect human psychology and moral judgment. It delves into the consequences of using a high-tech war simulation program that leads to deep psychological distress among military personnel. The story centers around a physicist and a general who introduce a CIA agent to a sophisticated war simulation computer designed to visualize conflict outcomes with startling precision. As they navigate the machine’s abilities, the CIA agent witnesses catastrophic global warfare scenarios, including the horrors of nuclear conflict and the resulting collapse of civilization. The narrative raises profound questions about the nature of warfare, the potential madness it induces, and the ethical responsibilities of those in command. Ultimately, it suggests that the next logical move may not be in developing more destructive capabilities, but rather in ensuring that such horrifying plans never come to fruition.