Author
Tom W. Harris
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Subjects
Books by Tom W. Harris
Flight Into the Unknown
"Flight Into the Unknown" by Tom W. Harris is a science fiction narrative produced in the late 1950s. This work revolves around space travel and highlights the psychological challenges faced by astronauts on a mission gone awry. The story captures the essence of human vulnerability and fear within the vastness of space, emphasizing the possible dangers of space exploration. The plot follows Matt Bailey on his inaugural space mission aboard the Ranger, where a catastrophic event occurs that leaves him and the crew in a precarious situation while trying to rescue another crew stranded in a bubble on Katherine Two, a satellite of Saturn. As Bailey copes with the stress and panic, the crew contends with their own fears and reactions to the unknown threats outside. The story culminates in a revealing twist, where it is disclosed that Bailey himself is a synthetic personality created to simulate the emotional and psychological impacts of space travel. This lush exploration not only delves into the characters' internal struggles but also serves as a grim reminder of the realities of human endurance in the face of exploration and the unknown elements of space.
Get Out of My Body!
"Get Out of My Body!" by Tom W. Harris is a science fiction novella written during the late 1950s. The story centers around an alien entity known as a Ravian, who can inhabit human hosts, creating a sense of paranoia and urgency as the narrative unfolds. The central theme revolves around the infiltration of human bodies by alien beings, highlighting fears of identity loss and the nature of consciousness. The plot follows Chester Forge, a tour chief at Port Knoxville, who is tasked with finding a fugitive Ravian named Minnn that has escaped into the human population. As Chester navigates the challenges of his duty, the story interweaves the perspectives of a young girl, Sally, who unknowingly becomes a host for Minnn, and a professor who later becomes his next target. Throughout the narrative, Minnn experiences the complexities of human emotions and behaviors, which are starkly different from his own kind. As the search intensifies and Minnn's control over his hosts deepens, Chester devises a risky plan to capture him, leading to a startling confrontation that tests both human and alien logic. Ultimately, the story blends humor, existential dread, and an exploration of the boundaries between alien and human mindsets.
Barnstormer
"Barnstormer" by Tom W. Harris is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around a young boy named Pete, who is captivated by the allure of space travel and the barnstormers who offer rides in their sleek rockets. The book explores themes of adventure, dreams, and the generational divide in attitudes towards space exploration, particularly through the contrasting perspectives of Pete and the older women in his family who fear for the safety of space travel. The narrative follows Pete's excitement as he engages with Murph Vanderpool, a barnstormer who flies the glass rocket known as the Hester. Despite his mother's and grandmother's concerns about the dangers of space, Pete yearns for adventure and dreams of becoming a spaceman. As he tries to navigate the restrictions imposed by his family, the story highlights his determination to experience the thrill of flying and to embrace a future filled with possibilities. Ultimately, through moments of both rebellion and innocent longing, the book captures a young boy's aspirations against the backdrop of societal apprehensions surrounding space exploration.
The Fall of Archy House
"The Fall of Archy House" by Tom W. Harris is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story centers around Archy House, a television producer whose innovative technology leads to chaos when live projections of characters begin to invade the real world. As Archy grapples with the consequences of his creation, he faces both personal and professional challenges that culminate in a dramatic resolution. The narrative follows Archy as he attempts to manage the fallout from a malfunction in his revolutionary full-projection television technology, which results in a multitude of projections—characters from his shows—running wild across the country. Alongside his top writer, June Manning, and chief engineer, Otto Kahler, Archy navigates a series of escalating crises, including international diplomatic incidents and societal chaos. Ultimately, in a bid to regain control, Archy devises a plan that cleverly uses the pandemonium to his advantage, culminating in a grand wedding at Big Butte, Wyoming, where he enacts a solution to eliminate the rogue projections while reflecting on his relationship with June. The blend of humor, tension, and character development offers a sharp commentary on ambition, technology, and the unpredictability of life.
You'll Like It on Mars
"You'll Like It on Mars" by Tom W. Harris is a science fiction novel that likely emerged in the mid-20th century, a time rich with exploration and speculative ideas about space travel and extraterrestrial life. The book delves into the realm of filmmaking, blending elements of horror and adventure, through the lens of a struggling producer who becomes embroiled in a mysterious and gruesome filmmaking secret tied to the planet Mars. The story centers around Manny, a beleaguered producer caught in the competitive and cutthroat world of Hollywood. Tasked by his boss Myron Ferdinand to uncover the secret behind a sensational Mars movie, “Mars Hazard,” Manny discovers the shocking truth that the film's startling realism is actually rooted in the horrifying experiences of the cast on Mars. After enduring a brutal encounter with a Martian beast himself, he finds himself transported to Mars, where he learns that those who undergo treatment there for their injuries have the ability to regenerate their bodies but at a cost—their love for Earth gradually fades as they begin to prefer their new lives on the red planet. This revelation twists the narrative into a commentary on ambition, identity, and the cost of chasing fame.
Goodbye, Dead Man!
"Goodbye, Dead Man!" by Tom W. Harris is a science fiction short story published in the late 1950s. The narrative revolves around themes of superstition, morality, and the repercussions of one's actions in a dystopian setting, specifically a reactor facility overtaken by outsiders. The story follows the conflict between the protagonist Danny Hern and Orley Mattup, a brutish guard who takes a life, illustrating the consequences of power and the interplay of fate. The story unfolds as Danny and his friend witness Orley Mattup murder an innocent technician, Uncle Pete, during a card game. Following this heinous act, Danny seeks revenge by cursing Mattup with a hex connected to eleven cents, claiming that any attempt to spend it will lead to his demise. As the plot develops, Mattup's increasing paranoia and superstition drive him to cling to the cursed money. The climax reveals the dark twist: the money is actually radioactive, making it a literal death sentence for Mattup, who ultimately succumbs to the very fate Danny orchestrated using a clever mix of psychological manipulation and the flaws of his antagonist.