Author
Henry Hasse
1913-1977
Henry Hasse (1913-1977) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Henry Hasse
City of the Living Flame
"City of the Living Flame" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel written in the early 1940s. The book delves into themes of exploration and the supernatural, set against the backdrop of Mars, particularly its polar region. The narrative follows Jim Landor's quest to uncover the legendary city of M'Tonak, believed to be hidden beneath the Martian ice, and the dangers he faces in pursuit of both the city and his missing brother. The story begins with Jim Landor flying over the Martian polar cap, convinced of the existence of M'Tonak, a fabled city rumored to contain a powerful emerald that could change his life. As Jim arrives in the nearby town of Riida, he partners with a Martian named Kaarji, who has his own mysterious connection to M'Tonak. Setting out into the polar wastes, the expedition encounters bizarre creatures and a malevolent entity known as the Dim-Ing, which affects the minds of those who enter its territory. As tensions rise, Jim learns the truth about M'Tonak and its connection to an evil force that poses a significant threat not only to the Martians but to humanity at large. The climax reveals Jim's struggle against the Dim-Ing, culminating in a desperate bid to thwart its plans and escape the catastrophic events unfolding in the city.
Out of This World
"Out of This World" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novella published in the early 1940s, during the burgeoning era of pulp magazines. Set primarily on a harsh prison planet orbiting Jupiter, the story follows the grim existence of inmates under the tyrannical rule of the sadistic overseer, Marnick. The narrative grapples with themes of vengeance, survival, and the psychological toll of oppression. The plot centers around the protagonist, Reed, and his fellow miners who toil in subjugation under Marnick, whose cruel delights include torture and surveillance. As tensions rise among the prisoners, led by the furious McGowan, a plan for escape and revenge against Marnick begins to take shape. The story culminates in a tense climax when the group confronts Marnick, revealing shocking connections between the characters that culminate in tragedy. Themes of madness, moral ambiguity, and the complex nature of revenge weave throughout, making the book a powerful commentary on the human condition in dire circumstances.
Final Glory
"Final Glory" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction narrative written during the mid-20th century. The story explores themes of survival and despair in a dying solar system, focusing on the desperate journey of its last two survivors as they confront the end of their civilization. The book delves into existential questions about hope, purpose, and the search for a new home amid cosmic desolation. The narrative primarily follows two characters, N'Zik and Shi-Zik, who are the last of their race aboard a massive spaceship, echoing the grim fate of their dying sun and their civilization. They traverse through a decaying planetary system, assessing failed worlds that once thrived with life, battling bitterness and fatigue as they contemplate giving up their quest for survival. Simultaneously, on the barren surface of Mercury, Curt and Olana work desperately to save their people from extinction as the sun loses its warmth and light. Their fate intertwines as they witness a mysterious and powerful event that ignites a glimmer of hope—the potential of a cosmic collision that may rekindle their dying sun. The story culminates in themes of sacrifice and the quest for glory in the face of annihilation.
Passage to Planet X
"Passage to Planet X" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel likely written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around a group of adventurers seeking a legendary world beyond Pluto, known as Planet X, filled with the promise of adventure, freedom, and wealth. It reflects the era's fascination with space exploration and adventurous quests into the unknown. The plot follows Mark Travers, who stows away on a spaceship led by the enigmatic Commander Janus, aiming to escape the oppressive influences of an agency known as BINWI. As the crew journeys through space, they not only face the dangers of their clandestine venture but also encounter an extraordinary new world populated by humanoid beings known as Perlacs and strange robots. Their ultimate goal turns into a struggle to defend the civilization on Planet X from the Perlacs while uncovering the secrets of a powerful artifact known as the Stone. The climax involves intense battles, clever technological advancements, and the unique twist of Ketrik—a legendary figure who has transformed into a robot. The narrative blends action, science fiction, and adventure, exploring themes of ingenuity and survival in an alien world.
Thief of Mars
"Thief of Mars" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel written during the early 20th century. The narrative follows Ron Jordan, an Earthman on a covert mission amidst a chaotic and lawless pirate base on the asteroid Ceres. The book explores themes of deception, survival, and the quest for justice as it unfolds in a universe filled with dangerous creatures and interplanetary criminals. In "Thief of Mars," Ron Jordan's primary objective is to clear his brother, Carl, of a false smuggling charge that led to a life sentence in a notorious prison. Posing as a down-and-out laborer among pirates, he searches for the ship that wronged his brother, ultimately leading him to confront the treacherous Martian captain Tarnuff. The story climaxes in a deadly duel of strategy and wits between Jordan and Tarnuff against the backdrop of a spaceship filled with the dangerous Silicytes, creatures that digest metal and threaten to destroy the spaceship. With urgency mounting as a Patrol ship approaches, Jordan risks everything to secure his brother’s freedom and face the dangers that lie ahead.
Dread-Flame of M'Tonak
"Dread-Flame of M'Tonak" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The book follows the adventures of Ketrik, an outlawed figure navigating the complex political landscape of planets within the Solar Federation, as he is drawn into a larger conspiracy involving a malevolent entity and the fate of Earth." "The opening of the story introduces Ketrik as he travels back to Earth, where he encounters intense suspicion and hostility from Earth’s Council Guards upon arrival. Fearing that his arrival has been anticipated, Ketrik cleverly dismantles the advanced Frequency Tuner he possesses and is prepared for trouble; however, he finds himself arrested but soon discovers that his friend Mark Travers has orchestrated a secret plan to combat an impending threat that could annihilate Earth. As Ketrik grapples with the political tensions between Earth and Perlac, he learns about a pervasive psychological manipulation influencing Council members and a potential war instigated by Dar Vaajo of Mars, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of intrigue and danger."
Proktols of Neptune
"Proktols of Neptune" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel, likely written during the early 20th century. The story revolves around themes of alien encounters and survival, as it explores the horrific realities of a race of beings known as Proktols inhabiting the moon of Neptune. As the title suggests, the narrative delves into space adventures marked by danger and the unknown. In the book, Commander Janus and his crew aboard the patrol ship "Wasp" encounter a derelict spaceship, which leads them to the Proktols and their rituals. Rumors of the Proktols haunt the crew, suggesting they partake in unspeakable tortures. The Earthmen quickly find themselves trapped as the Proktols capture them for an intended ceremony, where they must select one among themselves for a gruesome ritual of sacrifice meant to feed a sentient Brain that controls the Proktols. The narrative escalates tension as Janus and his remaining crew seek ways to escape and return to Earth, vowing to confront the alien threat that lingers despite their harrowing experience. The book emphasizes fear of the unknown and the consequences of curiosity in the vast emptiness of space.
Revenge of the Vera
"Revenge of the Vera" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel originally published in the early 1940s. The story is set in a futuristic space environment where piracy threatens interplanetary trade, and it revolves around themes of vengeance and sacrifice. The narrative follows the protagonist's quest for retribution against a notorious space pirate responsible for the death of his beloved. In the plot, the main character, Bob Kennett, is motivated by a tragic past involving the loss of his fiancée, Vera, who perished during a pirate attack on a passenger liner. Driven by anger and determination, he orchestrates a plan to lure the pirate, known as Prather, into a trap using the old freighter Vera as bait. With the assistance of a newsman named George Marnay, Kennett manipulates the situation to confront Prather. The conflict culminates in a thrilling culmination where Kennett's innovative strategy, involving a segmented version of the freighter that delivers devastating attacks, ultimately leads to the destruction of Prather’s ship, allowing Kennett to have his long-desired revenge. The novel balances action with emotional depth, capturing the protagonist's inner turmoil and the sacrifices he makes in pursuit of justice.
The Star of Satan
"The Star of Satan" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel written in the early 1940s. The book revolves around themes of survival, madness, and the ethical dilemmas faced in dire circumstances, set against the backdrop of space exploration. It explores the psychological effects of isolation and desperation as it follows the journey of its main character through the vastness of an uncharted asteroid swarm. In this gripping tale, Hype Garth, a long-serving inhabitant of a salvage station, receives a distress signal indicating that a life-boat from the wrecked "Martian Princess" may have landed on a nearby asteroid. Along with his partner Prokle, Garth sets off to investigate. However, upon locating the life-boat, they discover J. P. Chiswell, the president of EMV Lines, who has spiraled into madness after the harrowing experience of survival. As Prokle is ultimately killed in a scuffle for dominance, Garth is faced with a moral quandary: to deal with the increasingly dangerous Chiswell or to abandon his own chance at freedom and solidarity for gold. The harsh realities of space and the depths of human nature are examined as Garth grapples with the consequences of betrayal, madness, and the desperate struggle for survival.
Eternal Zemmd Must Die!
"Eternal Zemmd Must Die!" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The book presents a thrilling narrative involving a group of characters who are faced with a dire crisis threatening the future of their interplanetary federation. Central to the story is DeHarries, the Correlator for Earth, who discovers that an alien intelligence may be infiltrating the highest levels of power across the Solar System, leading him to seek urgent counsel from planetary delegates. The opening of the narrative sets a foreboding tone as a mysterious entity enters the Solar System, unleashing chaos and intrigue. DeHarries articulates concerns about the Federation's stability, pointing to a series of unexplained events that seem to signal a greater threat. Meanwhile, we are introduced to characters such as Aladdian, the Empress of Venus, and Curt Emmons, who are caught in a web of espionage, potential betrayal, and the looming specter of an alien mastermind known as Zemmd. As the plot unfolds, tensions rise among delegates, while secretive actions lead to daring escapes, deliberate attacks, and the promise of dark motives, laying the groundwork for an expansive and captivating tale.
One Purple Hope!
"One Purple Hope!" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novella written during the early 1950s. The narrative follows the tragic plight of Joel Latham, an Earthman turned tsith addict, as he navigates the underbelly of Venusport, a place rife with despair and addiction. The central theme revolves around Latham's desperate quest for redemption and escape from his life of addiction and hopelessness. In the story, Joel Latham wakes up in a swamp, struggling with the effects of his addiction to a substance called tsith. As he recalls his past, Latham recognizes his deteriorating condition and desperate situation, having lost everything to his addiction, including the trust of his peers and his possessions. After a brief encounter with Kueelo, a Martian companion, Latham learns that he has been cheated, losing a precious gem—the purple Josmian—which he believes could offer him a way out of his desperate circumstances. In a fevered attempt to reclaim the gem from Kueelo and another companion, Kraaz, Latham embarks on a treacherous journey through the jungle, battling both the dangers of the wilderness and his addiction. However, upon finally reaching Penger, the man who controls the supply of tsith, he faces an even greater challenge regarding the price of his escape, ultimately leading to a crushing realization about his choices and fate.
The Beginning
"The Beginning" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. This narrative explores themes of discovery, primal survival, and the consequences of technological advancement through the experience of its protagonist, Gral, a member of a prehistoric tribe. The story delves into the transformative moment when mankind's ingenuity leads to the creation of a weapon, setting the stage for both progress and inevitable conflict. In the tale, Gral, perceived as weak and small among the tribesmen, stumbles upon a method to enhance their hunting capabilities by devising a weapon using stones and sinew. This innovation earns him the now-respected title of Gral-the-Bringer, as he brings down formidable prey like the great bear. However, as the tribe of Gor-wah adopts this new technology, it unwittingly leads to the rise of rivalries, resulting in a brutal cycle of violence and destruction among tribes. The narrative concludes on a reflective note, suggesting that man’s relentless pursuit of invention will continue to spur both creation and catastrophe, thus framing the story as a cautionary exploration of human nature and societal evolution.
We're Friends, Now
"We're Friends, Now" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around Raoul Beardsley, a serological coordinator at Crime-Central, who grapples with feelings of inefficiency in a world increasingly dominated by machines. As the narrative unfolds, Beardsley's psychological struggle against the mechanized crime-solving entity, ECAIAC, suggests themes of humanity versus technology and the quest for personal relevance in a data-driven society. The opening of the novel introduces Raoul Beardsley as he prepares for an important day in the investigation of the murder of Amos Carmack, the creator of ECAIAC. As he navigates through a tense atmosphere of expectation and doubt, Beardsley's internal conflict about the reliance on machines to solve crimes becomes palpable. The narrative presents his interactions with Jeff Arnold, the cyberneticist, and touches on the intricacies of their work within the Mechanical Division while setting the stage for a developing murder mystery. A growing sense of unease signals that today's run of ECAIAC may not go smoothly, initiating a tension that captivates the reader and hints at Beardsley’s unsettling revelations about both the machine and himself.
Walls of Acid
"Walls of Acid" by Henry Hasse is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century, specifically in the post-World War II era, reflecting the era's fascination with space exploration and technology. The book explores themes of survival, evolution, and the consequences of scientific hubris through the tale of a once-glorious civilization on the planet Diskra that now faces a deadly menace from an underestimated species—the Termans. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of underestimating one's enemies and the potential consequences of advanced scientific experimentation. The story unfolds through the perspective of Braanol, an advanced brain preserved in a liquid medium, who recounts the history of his planet's downfall due to the rise of the Termans, a previously insignificant subterranean species that have been genetically altered and organized by the demented brother of the ruling emperor, Palladin. As the Termans grow in strength and intelligence, they threaten the very existence of the Diskrans, forcing them to develop new technologies and prepare for an interstellar resettlement. The narrative culminates in Braanol's desperate efforts to record their civilization's history while warning future generations of the lurking dangers, ultimately reinforcing the message of vigilance against potential threats that can arise from the roots of history and scientific ambition.