Author
Jack Sharkey
1931-1992
Jack Sharkey (1931-1992) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Jack Sharkey
The programmed people
"The Programmed People" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book is set in a dystopian society characterized by strict social regulations and a controlling government known as the Brain, which oversees the Hive where the inhabitants live in ignorance of their true condition. The story revolves around a young man named Lloyd Bodger, who navigates a world of programmed conformity and encounters a girl named Andra Corby, who is tied to a resistance movement seeking to uncover the truth behind their oppressive society. The opening of the book introduces the Hive and its unique social structure, where voting and public opinion are manipulated by the ruling elite. As the narrative unfolds, Lloyd finds himself caught in a tense situation during a Temple Service when a fugitive—a girl named Andra—attempts to blend into the crowd, sparking a series of events that force him to reconsider his understanding of authority and conformity. With the Speakster announcing that they are polluted from within, tension rises as Lloyd fights against time to cast his vote and helps Andra escape the clutches of the oppressive regime. The initial chapters establish a gripping atmosphere of urgency and intrigue, setting the stage for a confrontation between personal ethics and the demands of a controlling society.
The Flying Tuskers of K'niik-K'naak
"The Flying Tuskers of K'niik-K'naak" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction comedy novella originally published in the early 1960s. The story follows the adventures of a confident and somewhat comically arrogant protagonist as he embarks on a hunting expedition on the alien planet of Polaris III, where he seeks to hunt the legendary flying tuskers—massive creatures renowned for their pearl tusks. In this humorous narrative, the protagonist, accompanied by his subservient Andromedan guide Mimp, navigates the challenges of the harsh desert landscape while showcasing his self-importance and disdain for the local superstitions. As they search for the elusive herd, a series of comical misadventures occurs, including the protagonist's frustration with Mimp, who ultimately betrays him. After a disastrous mishap involving the destruction of their shelter, it becomes clear that the tuskers are dead, with Mimp having poisoned their waterhole and made off with their valuable tusks. The story reflects themes of pride, betrayal, and the absurdity of the protagonist's situation, ultimately leading him to a bittersweet realization of his own shortcomings.
The Secret Martians
"The Secret Martians" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story centers around Jery Delvin, an ad agency employee with a talent for spotting flaws, who is unexpectedly summoned by the Chief of Interplanetary Security for a clandestine mission on Mars. Delvin is tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of fifteen boys from a spaceship, which leads him into a web of intergalactic intrigue and danger. At the start of the narrative, we find Jery Delvin in a mundane work setting when security agents abruptly appear to take him to the Chief of Interplanetary Security, Philip Baxter. Through a mix of witty banter and moments of self-reflection, Jery learns of his crucial role in uncovering the truth behind the Space Scouts' vanishing act. As Delvin gathers information about the boys' apparent abduction and the peculiarities surrounding the spaceship "Phobos II", he grapples with the weight of being chosen for this task by the enigmatic "Brain," an advanced cybernetic intelligence. The opening describes Delvin's analytical prowess and his struggle against distractions, specifically the allure of women, foreshadowing how these elements will complicate his mission as he seeks to unravel the enigma of the missing boys.
Arcturus Times Three
"Arcturus Times Three" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story follows Jerry Norcriss, a Space Zoologist, who experiences the lives of various alien creatures through a process known as Contact. The book explores the challenges and risks faced during extraterrestrial exploration, emphasizing themes of survival, identity, and the ethical considerations of human expansion into foreign worlds. The narrative unveils Jerry's journey through Contact as he inhabits the minds of three different life forms on the planet Arcturus Beta. Each Contact presents him with unique challenges, from encountering predatory species to struggling against the instincts of his hosts. As he learns to navigate these new existences, Jerry grapples with the implications of humanity's expansion and the potential cost to alien life forms. Ultimately, the story raises thought-provoking questions about the consequences of human intervention in the natural order of the universe and the often-overlooked rights of other sentient beings. Through Jerry's experiences, readers are drawn into a richly imaginative world where the thrill of discovery is tempered by the sobering realities of survival and coexistence.
The man who was pale
"The Man Who Was Pale" by Jack Sharkey is a short story written in the late 1950s, originally published in Fantastic Science Fiction Stories. This tale blends elements of horror and dark humor, focusing on the peculiar interactions between a kind-hearted yet overly concerned landlady and her mysterious tenant, Vandor Thobal. The story explores themes of fear, curiosity, and the unknown, as well as the lengths to which one might go to ensure their own comfort—or survival. In the story, Mrs. Tibbets, a worry-prone landlady, rents out rooms in her large house to tenants in need of shelter, one of whom is the unnervingly pale Vandor Thobal. Thobal's odd habits and nocturnal lifestyle lead to Mrs. Tibbets's escalating concern, particularly as she notices strange occurrences around him and hears rumors of mysterious health crises in the neighborhood. Despite her apprehensions, she tries to help him, eventually discovering that Thobal harbors a darker secret linked to his unearthly appearance and his attachment to a peculiar wooden box. The climax reveals that Thobal is not as he seems, leading to a startling and unsettling conclusion.
The Contact Point
"The Contact Point" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction short story written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around an expedition to Mars, where Lieutenant Lloyd and his crew make first contact with an alien race that they initially believe to be Martians. However, the narrative unveils a twist as the crew discovers that the aliens are, in fact, Venusians, leading to a misunderstanding about their true identities and the ominous implication that actual Martians may still exist. In the story, Lloyd and his team arrive on Mars and explore a dilapidated Martian city, where they encounter Ulkay Blet, a friendly and intelligent alien. As they attempt to communicate and learn about the Martian civilization, they unwittingly engage with Ulkay and his fellow Venusians. While initial interactions are humorous and light-hearted, tension builds as Lloyd realizes the potential danger of not knowing who the true Martians are. In a frantic turn of events, the crew finds themselves unarmed and surrounded by an unknown alien force, leading to a gripping climax filled with uncertainty and suspense. Ultimately, the story explores themes of communication and misunderstanding in encounters with alien life.
A Matter of Protocol
"A Matter of Protocol" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novella published in the early 1960s. Set on the lush, alien planet of Viridian, the story explores the complexities of life forms on this newly encountered celestial body. The narrative centers around the theme of first contact with extraterrestrial species and examines how interdependent life forms interact in their ecosystems. The plot follows Space Zoologist Lieutenant Jerry Norcriss, who embarks on a mission to study the alien life on Viridian. During his exploration, Jerry experiences a remarkable Connection with different species, uncovering a complex symbiotic relationship between the planet's insects, bear-like mammals, and native plants. The creatures rely on each other for reproduction and survival, establishing a unique ecological protocol. However, as his research reveals the delicate balance of life, a disaster occurs due to the destruction caused by Jerry's team during their landing. This ecological disruption leads to the eventual demise of the planet's vibrant ecosystem, leaving Jerry to grapple with the unintended consequences of their actions. Through this story, Sharkey conveys themes of interconnectedness, the fragility of ecosystems, and the potential ramifications of human interference in alien environments.
The smart ones
"The Smart Ones" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around the tensions of a nuclear threat during the Cold War and explores themes of survival, human relationships, and the psychological impact of impending disaster. As tensions between the U.S. and Russia escalate, characters grapple with the prospect of impending apocalypse and the decisions that come with it. The story begins with a couple, Pete and Beth Crolin, facing a world on the brink of nuclear war. After receiving alarming news, they wrestle with the choice of either awaiting disaster in the comfort of their home or seeking refuge in a spaceship aimed at the Moonbase, which promises survival. While Pete is initially reluctant to abandon their home, Beth, driven by the instinct for survival and hope for a future, ultimately chooses to leave with a neighbor, Martin, as Pete struggles with feelings of helplessness and fear. The narrative continues to unfold across different characters and settings amid chaos and despair, revealing the emotional turmoil of those left behind and the harsh realities of their existence. As the story comes to a close, the aftermath of devastation brings forth new beginnings through the eyes of the resilient children left to navigate a changed world, ultimately showcasing humanity's capacity for survival and adaptation.
To Each His Own
"To Each His Own" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction narrative that was published in the early 1960s. The story revolves around a group of Venusians who make their first contact with Earth, only to discover an eerie and abandoned planet instead of the bustling civilization they expected. The narrative unfolds in a dystopian setting, exploring themes of communication, misunderstanding, and the fragility of life across different worlds. As the Venusians prepare for their mission, they land in Times Square, but they find the streets empty and silent. Despite their advanced technology and mission to establish peaceful contact with Earth’s inhabitants, they are met with a ghostly landscape devoid of life. As each member of the crew explores different continents, they encounter only the remnants of civilization and roaming carnivorous creatures. In their quest for answers, they theorize about the disappearance of Earth’s population, speculating on possible cataclysms or societal collapse. Ultimately, they uncover evidence suggesting a recent disaster that has decimated life on Earth, leaving them to wonder why such a vibrant planet has turned into a desolate shadow of its former self. The story concludes with an ambiguous reflection on the environmental and existential challenges that ultimately claimed the Earth’s life, presenting a cautionary tale about the fate of civilizations.
The Creature Inside
"The Creature Inside" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book explores themes of consciousness, alternate realities, and psychological manipulation through a narrative centered around a high-stakes mission involving the mind. It revolves around the consequences of an experimental device that can tap into and amplify a person's thoughts and feelings, leading to a dangerous exploration of human psyche. The story follows Lieutenant Jerry Norcriss as he embarks on a mission to rescue a man named Anthony Mawson, who has become lost in a self-created mental universe generated by a malfunctioning experimental machine. As Jerry steps into this mind-bending world, he grapples with the blurry lines between reality and illusion, encountering embodiments of his deepest desires and fears, particularly a vision of a woman named Carol, who represents both hope and deception. Through a series of harrowing experiences within Mawson's fractured reality, Jerry must confront the dangers not only of the machine but also of his own mind, ultimately discovering the tricky nature of perception and the fragility of human consciousness.
Big Baby
"Big Baby" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The book follows Jerry Norcriss, a Space Zoologist sent to investigate a mysterious alien presence on a planet colonized by humans. The story delves into themes of alien lifeforms, the nature of perception, and the human mind's interaction with extraterrestrial beings. In "Big Baby," the plot unfolds as Jerry is tasked with learning about a seven-hundred-foot-tall alien creature that has been inadvertently overlooked by roborocket scanners. Initially believed to be a menacing force, the creature's true form is revealed to be that of a helpless baby, capable of mimicking its victims’ life-signatures through telepathy. Through his contact with the alien, Jerry experiences the entity's loneliness and its instinct for self-preservation. As the story progresses, the alien is ultimately confronted by Jerry's team, leading to a thrilling climax where they must deal with the creature's deceptive powers. In the end, Jerry learns profound insights about the nature of fear, alien life, and the complexities of existence itself.
Double or Nothing
"Double or Nothing" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction short story presented in the format of an imaginative narrative written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of invention and unintended consequences, following the misadventures of two friends, Burt and Artie. As they attempt to create groundbreaking machines, their efforts often lead to chaotic situations, particularly when an anti-gravity device spirals out of control, generating increasingly absurd and troublesome results. In the story, Burt Lindstrom serves as the more practical half of the duo, continually caught in Artie's grand schemes. Their latest invention—a machine purported to create anti-gravity—unintentionally produces a synthesizer that conjures cornflakes, bowls, and other kitchen items in copious quantities, leading to overwhelming chaos as these items rain down around them. As the malfunctioning device continues to create duplicates of itself and other objects, the situation escalates into a humorous and catastrophic crisis that escalates beyond their control. The narrative is punctuated with witty dialogue and satire, using the premise of science to reflect on the unpredictability of human creativity and ambition.
The Business, As Usual
"The Business, As Usual" by Jack Sharkey is a satirical science fiction story published in the early 1960s. This narrative unfolds in the context of the Cold War, exploring themes of espionage, military strategy, and the absurdity of political machinations. The book cleverly captures the tone of the era, focusing on the idea of using unconventional means to achieve geopolitical objectives, specifically through a unique agent. In this story, the United States government debates how to utilize a new radar-resistant airplane. The solution proposed is to send in a seemingly harmless agent, a stuffed teddy bear named Agent X-45, into enemy territory as part of an operation aimed at destabilizing the Communist regime. As the plan rolls out, the humor and irony stem from the assumption that the Russians, notorious for their paranoia and strict protocols, would be thrown into chaos by this act of folly. However, things take a comical turn when the bear is discovered, leading to unforeseen consequences that highlight the ludicrousness of the plan and the inherent dangers of underestimating one's opponent. Ultimately, the story critiques government policy and the lengths to which authorities will go to project power, showcasing how even the most ridiculous schemes can have serious repercussions.
The Awakening
"The Awakening" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novel likely written in the early 1960s. The narrative explores themes of survival and societal rebirth in a post-apocalyptic setting, wherein a group of individuals awakens from a long cryogenic sleep to find the world has drastically changed. They must grapple with the consequences of their past decisions and adapt to a new environment that is both unfamiliar and threatening. The story centers around Rik, who, along with others, awakens to a malfunctioning life-support system in their subterranean vault. As he attempts to revive his companions, he discovers that they have overslept for far longer than anticipated due to a catastrophic failure of their equipment. The elders, who were supposed to guide them, have perished, leaving Rik and a few others to navigate the consequences of the "War" that pushed them into hiding. Emerging into a world that is strikingly different, they find remnants of both destruction and new life. While facing challenges in their adaptation and survival, they also feel a sense of thrill and potential within this resurrected world, setting the stage for an exploration of human resilience and the instinct to thrive despite adversity.
The Dope on Mars
"The Dope on Mars" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book chronicles the first human expedition to Mars from a humorously human perspective, focusing on the experiences of the narrator who is tasked with documenting the journey. The narrative explores themes of exploration, human interaction, and the unexpected complications that arise in a foreign environment. The story follows the protagonist, a writer, as he joins a team of scientists and astronauts on a journey to the Red Planet. As they travel, he documents the ups and downs of life aboard the spacecraft, encountering various challenges and quirky interactions with his crewmates. Upon landing on Mars, they discover strange extraterrestrial beings made of sugar, leading them into a series of comedic misadventures, from survival threats to the unintended consequences of their discoveries. The writer's witty observations and humorous encounters highlight the absurdities of space exploration, ultimately culminating in a dramatic twist as they inadvertently set off an alien invasion of Earth.
Old Friends Are the Best
"Old Friends Are the Best" by Jack Sharkey is a science fiction narrative that was likely written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of survival, memory, and the unexpected consequences of human interference with nature. It follows the peculiar journey and evolution of a plant discovered on the Moon, known as the Peter W. Merrill Moonplant, as its existence intersects dramatically with humanity's presence on Earth. The story begins with the Moonplant, which has spent millennia lying dormant on the Moon, only to be discovered by an engineer and later nurtured by a botanist on Earth. As the plant thrives and spreads its roots underground, it begins to create a magnetic field that disrupts gravity, causing chaos on Earth and eventually leading to a mass migration of humans to the Moon. However, as disturbances increase, scientists realize that numerous meteors are being attracted to Earth due to the plant’s influence, ultimately threatening the planet's stability. The tale unfolds to a climax where the characters discover that Earth's downfall may stem from their negligence of the Moonplant and confront the irony of what they regard as natural friends now becoming unforeseen foes.
Minor Detail
"Minor Detail" by Jack Sharkey is a satirical science fiction short story first published in the late 1950s. The narrative centers around the farcical military endeavors of General "Smiley" Webb and his ambitious plan to deploy troops using an innovative yet absurd contraption called the Whirligig. The story explores themes of military bureaucracy and the folly of over-complicated solutions to fundamental problems of warfare. The plot unfolds with Secretary of Defense James Whitlow's visit to observe General Webb's top-secret project, designed to land soldiers safely in enemy territory without traditional parachutes. Webb's unorthodox method involves subjecting soldiers to extreme centrifugal forces in the Whirligig to prepare them for high-altitude jumps. However, the demonstration goes hilariously awry, leading to a disastrous outcome where the soldiers fall head-first rather than landing safely. The story ends with the general fainting in shock, highlighting the absurdity inherent in his ambitious plans. Through humor and irony, Sharkey critiques military thinking and the push for conflict in a time marked by fragile peace.