Author
Donald A. Wollheim
1914-1990
Donald A. Wollheim (1914-1990) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by Donald A. Wollheim
The Secret of the Ninth Planet
"The Secret of the Ninth Planet" by Donald A. Wollheim is a science-fiction novel published in 1959. When the Sun's light mysteriously begins to dim across Earth, threatening a new ice age, young Burl Denning discovers alien machinery in the Peruvian Andes. As calculations reveal the Sun may explode within years, Burl joins a desperate expedition aboard an experimental antigravity spaceship to hunt down similar installations throughout the solar system and confront an alien force from Pluto.
One Against the Moon
"One Against the Moon" by Donald A. Wollheim is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story centers around Robin Carew, a young orphan with dreams of space exploration, whose life takes a dramatic turn when he pursues a chance to work with rockets at the White Sands Proving Grounds. As Robin embarks on this journey, he grapples with his humble beginnings, yearning for opportunity and adventure amid the backdrop of the burgeoning space race. The opening of the novel introduces Robin Carew as he navigates his routine life as a factory apprentice, marked by his dreams of the stars and fascination with rocketry. After learning about unexpected layoffs at his job, Robin seizes the opportunity to hitchhike across the country towards the rocket launch sites in New Mexico, driven by a deep desire to be part of the adventure unfolding in the skies. He faces the challenges of being an orphan and his perceived limitations but remains hopeful, ultimately making the daring decision to sneak onto a rocket destined for the moon. This pivotal moment sets the stage for a dramatic tale of exploration and discovery that pushes the boundaries of space travel.
The Planet That Time Forgot
"The Planet That Time Forgot" by Donald A. Wollheim is a science fiction novel written in the early 1940s. The book explores themes of time, perception, and interplanetary conflict, particularly focusing on the collision of two civilizations on a mysterious planet. The story is set in a science fiction context, delving into the exploration of a newly discovered Planet P, and its inhabitants who experience time at a vastly different rate than humans. The narrative alternates between the conflict between two kingdoms, Toom and Nimbor, and the adventures of a space crew as they travel to Planet P. Oomith, the noble leader of Toom, faces the threat of invasion from the warlike Nimbor, led by the arrogant prince Aald. As she seeks to save her people, her fate intertwines with the Earthmen explorers who eventually discover that the inhabitants of Planet P are frozen in time due to their planet's unique temporal properties. The Earth crew uses advanced technology to intervene in the impending war, capturing the enemy's weapons and aiding Toom while unraveling the mystery of the frozen population of Planet P. Through their adventure, the story raises questions about power, dignity, and the effects of time on life and society.
Pogo Planet
"Pogo Planet" by Martin Pearson is a science fiction novel written during the early 1940s. The story introduces Ajax Calkins, an ambitious individual who desires to become a pioneer in space exploration. He sets out to claim a newly discovered planet, Midplanet, and embarks on a comical adventure filled with unexpected challenges and bizarre creatures. In the narrative, Ajax crashes on Midplanet only to discover a vibrant world where the atmosphere has trapped light, creating an intriguing environment. As he explores, he encounters intelligent kangaroo-like beings and a giant flea named Bosco, who aids him in an escape from captivity with the kangaroo inhabitants. The tension escalates as Ajax and Nadia Landor, an Earth girl, must navigate their way back to safety amidst whimsical circumstances, including Ajax's attempts to assert his dominance as a self-proclaimed ruler. Ultimately, the story blends humor and adventure as Ajax learns that grandiose ambitions can be hindered by unpredictable realities.
The Planet of Illusion
"The Planet of Illusion" by Millard V. Gordon is a science fiction novel written during the early 20th century. The story targets themes of exploration and the nature of reality, focusing on a crew of spacefarers who encounter a mysterious planet and its seemingly hostile inhabitants. Gordon explores the intersection of different universes and the illusions that may manifest at the edge of what is known. In the narrative, a crew aboard the ship "Astralite" discovers an uncharted red planet during their journey through interstellar space. As they approach, they find themselves pursued by ominous ships that seem intent on stopping them. Despite the crew's advanced technology, their efforts to defend themselves and navigate prove futile as they discover the planet and its inhabitants exist in an illusion, not truly in their physical reality. Through this encounter, the crew learns that they momentarily glimpsed another universe where their ship was perceived as an anomaly. Ultimately, they resolve to return and explore this phenomenon further, indicating an ongoing quest for knowledge and adventure.
Nothing
"Nothing" by Martin Pearson is a science fiction short story published in the early 1940s. It explores themes of existence, reality, and the concept of matter versus nothingness, set against the backdrop of a bombed building where the main characters find themselves trapped. The narrative combines suspense and a philosophical exploration of the nature of reality through a dialogue between two characters in a dire situation. The story centers on a young man and an old professor who become trapped in a collapsed cellar after a bombing. As they wait for rescue, the professor proposes a radical idea grounded in physics: if they visualize themselves and the surrounding rubble as “nothing” or energy, they can pass through the rocks and escape. Following the professor's hypnotic guidance, the young man experiences a surreal journey into the nature of matter, ultimately manifesting outside, while the old man remains trapped. Despite the protagonist's attempts to save the professor after his own escape, the stark reality of the situation hits hard when the rescuers find the professor deceased after two days of digging. The story raises profound questions about existence and the limits of human understanding.
Saknarth
"Saknarth" by Millard Verne Gordon is a science fiction novella published in the early 1940s. The narrative centers on themes of enlightenment versus oppression, as it explores the life of Saknarth, a Master Astrologer who grapples with the tension between his understanding of the cosmos and the constraints imposed by the ruling priesthood. The story unfolds on Mars, capturing the struggle between knowledge and ignorance within a society that fears the power of learning. The plot follows Saknarth, who recalls a critical prophecy given to him by Kwarit during his youth. As he prepares horoscopes for the Emperor, he becomes increasingly aware of the oppressive nature of the priesthood, which stifles knowledge and enforces superstition. Intrigued by Kwarit's claims of lights on the Morning Star, he sneaks into the Imperial Museum to gaze through a forbidden telescope, discovering evidence of civilization on a nearby planet. Realizing the implications of his findings, he writes a manifesto urging rebellion against the priestly elite. However, he is quickly apprehended and sentenced to execution, yet he finds solace in having shared his revolutionary message just before his fate is sealed. The story illustrates the importance of knowledge and the courage required to challenge authoritarian rule.