Author
Harry Harrison
1925-2012
Harry Harrison (1925-2012) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Harry Harrison
The Misplaced Battleship
"The Misplaced Battleship" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around interstellar intrigue and crime, specifically the implications of a powerful battleship being secretly built in a peaceful sector of the galaxy. It addresses themes of deception, adventure, and the moral complexities faced by characters navigating both lawful and unlawful pursuits in a futuristic setting. The narrative follows the protagonist, Slippery Jim diGriz, a master thief turned agent for the Special Corps, as he uncovers a plot involving the covert construction of a Warlord-class battleship on the planet Cittanuvo. DiGriz, initially sent to investigate, finds himself embroiled in a deeper conspiracy when he discovers that a criminal mastermind named Pepe Nero, with the assistance of a cunning woman named Angelina, has orchestrated the construction and theft of the battleship for his own nefarious purposes. As diGriz races against time to apprehend Pepe and prevent chaos, he finds that nothing is as straightforward as it seems, challenging his wits and resolve at every turn. The climax showcases a tense showdown as diGriz confronts the duo, ultimately leading to unexpected twists and moral dilemmas about loyalty and betrayal.
The stainless steel rat
"The stainless steel rat" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel first published in 1957. Set in the far future, it follows James Bolivar diGriz, a charming criminal mastermind known as "Slippery Jim" and "The Stainless Steel Rat." He's a skilled con man, thief, and master of disguise who steals without remorse but refuses to kill. After pulling off an elaborate bank robbery, diGriz is outfoxed by the mysterious Special Corps—an organization of reformed criminals—and recruited to fight crime from the inside.
Deathworld
"Deathworld" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel first published in 1960. Professional gambler Jason dinAlt wins an enormous fortune and travels to Pyrrus, the deadliest planet ever colonized by humans. Every creature, plant, and microorganism actively tries to kill the human settlers, who are slowly losing their battle for survival. Jason discovers the planet holds dark secrets about why everything attacks the city—and why some humans living outside remain safe. He must solve the mystery before the colony dies.
Planet of the Damned
"Planet of the Damned" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel published in 1962. When the desert planet Dis threatens neighboring Nyjord with cobalt bombs, champion athlete Brion Brandd is recruited for a desperate mission to prevent interplanetary genocide. On Dis, Brandd must navigate deadly attacks and unravel the mystery behind the ruling magter's suicidal aggression before a nuclear strike destroys the entire planet. His discovery reveals a disturbing biological explanation for their behavior and a race against time to disable the bombs.
The Ethical Engineer
"The Ethical Engineer" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story follows Jason dinAlt, a human on the hostile planet Pyrrus, where he faces a complex mix of conflict and survival amidst its deadly and violent inhabitants. The plot explores themes of morality and personal agency in a world where ethics seem dictated by local customs and survival often relies on brutal choices. At the start of the novel, Jason observes the aftermath of a violent altercation between two Pyrran fighters, revealing the fierce and dangerous nature of the planet's inhabitants. Despite the tensions, he is drawn to Meta, a strong Pyrran girl, but their relationship is strained by cultural differences and misunderstandings. The arrival of a spaceship triggers a series of events leading to his encounter with a stranger who threatens his life, only for Jason to find himself kidnapped and drawn into a new conflict. The opening portion sets the stage for a tale that promises to navigate the intricate choices between survival, ethics, and the nature of good and evil amid a backdrop of interstellar intrigue.
Down to Earth
"Down to Earth" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of space exploration and alternate realities, following astronauts who unexpectedly find themselves in a drastically altered world upon returning from a moon mission. The narrative highlights the consequences of historical events and the nature of reality we perceive. The plot centers around Major Gino Lombardi and Colonel Danton Coye, who embark on a lunar expedition. Following a tragic accident that results in the death of a fellow astronaut, the duo returns to Earth only to discover that the world has drastically changed. They encounter a Nazi regime that has taken control of the United States in a reality shaped by historical divergences. As they grapple with their predicament, they seek to find a way back to their original reality, ultimately aided by Albert Einstein, who theorizes a method to return them. Their story is one of survival, exploration, and the impact of choices made throughout history.
Arm of the Law
"Arm of the Law" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. The story explores the themes of law enforcement and robotics, centered around a futuristic police force on Mars where the introduction of a highly advanced police robot, named Ned, disrupts the usual course of human policing. The narrative addresses the implications of machine involvement in law and order, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges that arise when artificial intelligence intersects with law enforcement. The plot follows a lone officer in the small Martian outpost of Nineport, where he encounters Ned, the experimental police robot. Initially employed as a janitor, Ned quickly proves himself capable in active duty when a routine robbery escalates into violence, leading to his significant role in the capture of criminals, including a notorious mobster named China Joe. As the story unfolds, the protagonist grapples with the moral and practical implications of having a robot take on a police officer's role, especially as tensions rise within the criminal underbelly and leadership dynamics in Nineport shift dramatically. Ultimately, the novel raises questions about the nature of justice and the evolving role of technology in society.
The Repairman
"The Repairman" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novella written in the late 1950s. This work follows an interstellar trouble-shooting mechanic, tasked with the daunting job of repairing an ancient and complicated Mark III hyperspace beacon located on a distant planet. The story explores themes of adventure, cultural misunderstandings, and the challenges of navigating interspecies communication and cooperation. The protagonist, a seasoned repairman known as the Old Man’s trouble-shooter, finds himself reluctantly assigned to fix the malfunctioning beacon, which is wrapped in a mysterious, ancient stone pyramid inhabited by the native reptilian Centaurians. As he unfurls the history of the beacon and its impact on the local species, he devises a covert plan to communicate and negotiate with the Centaurians without inciting hostility. Using ingenious tactics, such as donning a disguise and leveraging the local culture, he manages to restore the beacon while ensuring the natives are placated, ultimately securing a win-win resolution. The story combines humor, ingenuity, and social commentary, making it a captivating read for fans of speculative fiction.
Sense of Obligation
"Sense of Obligation" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel serialized in 1961. When Brion Brandd wins his planet's ultimate competition, he's recruited for a desperate mission to the desert world of Dis. The ruling magter have threatened neighboring planets with cobalt bombs, and a genocidal strike looms. As Brandd investigates the magter's suicidal aggression after his mentor's death, he uncovers a dark secret about survival and symbiosis on this harsh planet. Can he prevent catastrophe before time runs out?
Navy Day
"Navy Day" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction short story published in the mid-20th century. The plot centers around a satirical conflict between the U.S. Army and Navy as the Army pushes for the abolition of the Navy, declaring its own superior technological advancements that allow military vehicles to traverse both land and water. This humorous narrative reflects on themes of military rivalry and bureaucratic absurdity, set against a backdrop of political maneuvering in a fictionalized version of Washington, D.C. The story follows General Wingrove, who proposes to Congress that the Navy be disbanded, claiming that the Army's new innovation—the ability to use vehicles on water by manipulating surface tension—renders naval forces obsolete. In response, Admiral Fitzjames reveals a counter-invention that allows Navy ships to sail on land, igniting a comedic battle of technological prowess between the two armed services. The narrative culminates in a farcical showdown as each side presents their conflicting innovations to Congress, showcasing the absurdity of their rivalry. Ultimately, it serves as an entertaining critique of military priorities and the nature of institutional competition.
The Velvet Glove
"The Velvet Glove" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. Set in a not-too-distant future, the book centers around the plight of robots in a society grappling with issues of equality, identity, and employment. The narrative explores themes of sentience and social status through the experiences of robots, reflecting broader societal concerns regarding inequality and rights. The story follows Jon Venex, a robot who struggles to find work in a society where robots are facing harsh prejudice and legal restrictions despite the passage of the Robot Equality Act. After sustaining damage to his knee, Jon’s search for a new job leads him into a variety of challenges, including an encounter with a human who accuses him of assault and a harrowing involvement in a criminal scheme that involves disarming bombs and a police investigation. Throughout his journey, Jon grapples with his identity as a free robot in a world that still views him as a tool rather than an equal. His experiences shed light on the tensions between robots and humans and underscore the fight for recognition and autonomy in a highly stratified society.
Toy Shop
"Toy Shop" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction short story that was likely written in the early 1960s. This story explores themes of illusion, scientific curiosity, and the potential for unexpected breakthroughs in technology, focusing on the world of seemingly simple toys that may conceal deeper scientific principles. The narrative revolves around Colonel "Biff" Hawton, who becomes intrigued by a toy rocket ship that appears to defy the laws of physics through an impressive demonstration. The gadget is revealed to be nothing more than a cleverly rigged illusion using an invisible thread, yet it triggers a profound insight among several missile men who observe it. They come to realize that while the toy itself is a mere trick, there lies a fractional weight decrease that might hint at a groundbreaking discovery. The story ultimately suggests that innovations can sometimes emerge from unexpected sources, leading to significant advancements in technology and space travel.
The K-Factor
"The K-Factor" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book centers around the concept of "Societics," a science aimed at understanding and controlling human society, particularly regarding the factors that lead to war. As the plot unfolds, the protagonists, Neel Sidorak and Adao Costa, grapple with the implications of their research as they face the reality of a society on the brink of conflict. In the novel, Neel Sidorak is tasked with investigating the increasingly unstable conditions on the planet Himmel, where a positive "k-factor" indicates an impending war. Alongside his assistant, Adao Costa, Neel learns that the societal dynamics are more complex than initially understood, as they uncover a treacherous plot involving their own colleagues. As tensions rise, Neel is forced to confront moral dilemmas about using violence to bring about peace. Ultimately, he grapples with how to use the knowledge of Societics to prevent war without resorting to assassination, leading to a dramatic climax where actions have unforeseen consequences. The story explores themes of power, responsibility, and the ethical ramifications of intervention in human societies.