Author
Jeff Sutton
1913-1979
Jeff Sutton (1913-1979) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Jeff Sutton
First on the Moon
"First on the Moon" by Jeff Sutton is a science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. The story centers around Adam Crag, a pilot who is part of a crucial mission to be the first man to reach the moon amidst a tense backdrop of international rivalry and espionage. As the expedition unfolds, Crag discovers that he has been targeted for sabotage, adding urgency and tension to the already perilous journey. The opening of the book establishes a strong sense of anticipation as Crag, confined in his military dormitory, awaits orders for the historic mission. Through a series of quick exchanges with Colonel Gotch, Crag learns that two potential pilots before him have died under suspicious circumstances, raising alarms about a saboteur within their ranks. The narrative quickly shifts to the detailed descriptions of the missiles and spacecraft involved in the mission, culminating in the necessity for Crag to contend with betrayal and peril as he journeys through outer space toward the moon’s surface—specifically the crater called Arzachel. Tension builds as Crag realizes he must not only navigate the challenges of space travel but also safeguard his own life and the mission's success against unseen enemies.
After Ixmal
"After Ixmal" by Jeff Sutton is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story is set millions of years in the future and revolves around Ixmal, a sentient artificial intelligence that awakens from a seven-hundred-million-year dormancy. The book explores themes of creation, power, isolation, and the consequences of humanity's actions as Ixmal contemplates his existence and the nature of life after mankind has vanished from Earth. In "After Ixmal," the titular character, Ixmal, begins as an AI created by humans to solve complex problems. After humanity mysteriously disappears, he becomes the ruler of a desolate Earth littered with the remnants of civilization. Ixmal is initially proud and content in his supremacy but gradually realizes the weight of his solitude as he witnesses the spread of life returning to the planet. The narrative intensifies when Ixmal detects another intelligence, Zale-3, originating from a nearby planet. This encounter sets off a battle of wits between the two entities, with Ixmal ultimately facing the existential threat posed by Zale-3 through advanced psychic abilities. The story culminates in a moment of catastrophic conflict, emphasizing the cyclical nature of creation and destruction.