Author
John Victor Peterson
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Subjects
Books by John Victor Peterson
The Gently Orbiting Blonde
"The Gently Orbiting Blonde" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction short story published in the mid-20th century. The narrative blends elements of humor and science fiction, exploring themes of love, jealousy, and the unusual concept of anti-gravity. It captures a lighthearted take on a futuristic romantic entanglement set in a domestic environment where scientific experimentation leads to unexpected results. The story follows Bill Wright, who, on his wedding night, becomes so engrossed in his anti-gravity experiments that he inadvertently sets off a series of comedic events involving his new wife, Helene, and a fellow scientist, Gladys. As Helene leaves in frustration and returns with a package, Bill finds himself in a chaotic and humorous situation of orbiting alongside Gladys in their gravity-defying living room. The narrative escalates as Helene interrupts, leading to humorous confrontations and an exploration of the dynamics between the characters. Ultimately, the story concludes with Bill discovering a way to control the gravity, allowing them to navigate their adventures with a playful mix of romance and science.
The Lightning's Course
"The Lightning's Course" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story is set against a backdrop of interstellar conflict and explores themes of revolt, duty, and the complexities of alien civilizations. The narrative centers on two Earthmen, Hunter Frederix and Del Andres, whose lives intertwine with the struggles of Martian society and the machinations of a treacherous alien race known as the Vrons. The plot unfolds as tensions rise on Mars, where an imminent revolt threatens the stability of the region. Frederix and Andres become embroiled in a conspiracy involving the Vrons and a plot to conquer Earth. As they confront betrayals and intergalactic warfare, the duo must navigate treachery from within and outside their ranks. The introduction of an intelligent robot, created by Andres, adds a unique layer to the narrative, exploring the nature of consciousness and loyalty. As the characters face grave challenges and seek to thwart the impending alien invasion, they grapple with themes of bravery, sacrifice, and the repercussions of their actions on a cosmic scale.
The oddly elusive brunette
"The Oddly Elusive Brunette" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction novel likely written in the late 1950s. The story revolves around the unexpected connection between a research physicist and a mysterious young woman who seems to transcend time and space, bringing in elements of romance and adventure. The plot dives into themes of love, scientific exploration, and the consequences of advanced technology. The narrative follows Dr. Robert Mitchell, a physicist working at the UNACMEA/WAGS facility in Wisconsin, who encounters Elaine Schoener, the daughter of a General, under perplexing circumstances. As he activates a particle accelerator, Elaine suddenly appears in his lab, claiming to have just been at Cape Canaveral. What ensues is a frantic search through various scientific facilities across the globe as she inexplicably flickers from one location to another. The story escalates as Robert tries to understand the scientific basis of her disappearances while grappling with his growing affection for her. Ultimately, he pursues not just the science behind her mysterious phenomena but also his heartfelt desire to bring her permanently back to him, culminating in a marriage that transcends their strange circumstances.
Second census
"Second Census" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story centers around Jim Rainford, a man who learns he and his wife are expecting quintuplets, only to find their lives disrupted by mysterious census-takers who are not just ordinary humans but extraterrestrial beings from Alpha Centauri. The novel explores themes of identity, family, and the implications of interstellar relationships. In "Second Census," Jim Rainford's mundane life is turned upside down when a strange census taker arrives at his home, demonstrating superhuman speed and knowledge about his wife's pregnancy before even being informed. Alongside his friend Ed Fitzgerald and advanced physicist Maitland Browne, Jim embarks on a wild encounter with these alien visitors, revealing that the extraterrestrials are seeking lost children from their species to aid them in a war. The tension escalates as they try to understand the aliens’ intentions while dealing with their own personal lives, ultimately leading to a blend of adventure, humor, and science fiction that culminates in a surprising and thought-provoking conclusion about their connection to the aliens.
Lie on the Beam
"Lie on the Beam" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction novel likely written during the mid-20th century. The story navigates the tension of interplanetary politics and technological mishaps, set against the backdrop of a tumultuous Venus, where the protagonists must operate under dire circumstances as a Martian destroyer threatens a political conclave. The plot revolves around Frederic Ward, an engineer at the Astronautics Authority, who is awakened in a fog-cloaked Venus to handle a crisis involving two unlisted incoming ships and a Martian destroyer. As interplanetary tensions rise, Ward contends with an incapacitated colleague and a series of critical equipment failures. The narrative escalates as the Martian destroyer mistakenly believes it can bomb the city of Pali-Vanyi without consequence, prompting Ward to cleverly manipulate the trajectory beams to direct both the destroyer and a civilian ship to safety, averting disaster at the last moment. The book encapsulates themes of human ingenuity in the face of technological and geopolitical threats, making it an engaging read for fans of speculative fiction and adventure.
Classified object
"Classified object" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around a mysterious cylindrical object that lands near New York City, drawing the attention of military and scientific authorities. The novel explores themes of extraterrestrial life, advanced technology, and the implications of discovering alien intelligence. The narrative follows George Winthrop, a physicist who witnesses the arrival of the strange object and becomes heavily involved in investigating it alongside military personnel. As they explore the cylinder, they find both a highly advanced fission bomb and two books: one filled with alien schematics and the other a disturbing comic depicting an invasion of a pastoral world. As the story unfolds, Winthrop realizes the true peril of the situation: the ship and its crew, possibly in suspended animation, pose a significant threat to Earth. In a climactic and strategic decision, Winthrop ultimately reverses the ship's course back to its origin at Sirius, preventing a catastrophic potential invasion that could arise from the advanced weaponry aboard. The book concludes with a foreboding note about the nature of alien civilizations and their intentions towards Earth.
Lost in the Future
"Lost in the Future" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction short story published in the early 1950s. The narrative explores the implications of exceeding the speed of light through hyperspace travel and the strange consequences that ensue when encountering an alien civilization. The story dives into themes surrounding time, communication, and the relationship between technological advancements and their unforeseen effects. The plot revolves around two astronauts, Albrecht and the narrator, who make the first landing on an inhabited planet orbiting a distant star. Despite the advanced technology of the planet’s inhabitants, the astronauts discover that due to their faster-than-light travel, they are experiencing time differently from the alien population. As they attempt to communicate, they find themselves operating seconds ahead in time, revealing the disorienting consequences of their journey. Faced with the realization that they may be permanently cut off from meaningful interaction with the inhabitants, the duo must seek a way to escape the situation by returning to space and using their ship’s computers to recalibrate their temporal position. The story encapsulates the awe and unpredictability of space exploration, highlighting the perils that come with pushing the boundaries of human capability.
Political Application
"Political Application" by John Victor Peterson is a science fiction story published in the mid-20th century, specifically in the 1950s. The narrative combines humor and political satire, revolving around the notion of scientific advancements, particularly the concept of matter transference. The book explores the intersection of science and politics, particularly how scientific breakthroughs can impact political landscapes. The story follows Monk, a bodyguard to the physicist Allan Benson, who is on the brink of a revolutionary fuel discovery that could propel a torchship to Mars. When Benson goes missing while creating a political spectacle against anti-science sentiments led by Mayor Cadigan, Monk embarks on a wild chase to locate him. The tale unfolds with comedic twists, including the appearance of a Neanderthal replica and a police helicopter materializing in unexpected places. Ultimately, Benson's clever plans not only ensure his political message is delivered but also deliver a whimsical reminder of the importance of keeping science free from political interference. The narrative combines levity and commentary on the relationship between innovative science and governmental authority.