Showing results by author "Randall Garrett" in All Categories

The irrepressible Science Fiction author Randall Garrett wrote a wide array of short stories for the SF magazines of his day poking fun at many of the then current cherished beliefs, but he had a habit of writing under many different names. These three stories were all published in the 1960's and no matter what the by-line may look like, be assured they were all written by him in his quirky, imaginative and very entertaining style. The three here for your enjoyment are: With No Strings Attached; The Destroyers and In Case of Fire

Have you ever wondered about those amazing inventions that were supposedly buried by big corporations or utilities? The ones that could change our world with their sheer brilliance? While many of these so-called wonderful inventions may not deliver, what if a few truly do exist? Could the oil industry, power conglomerates, or auto monopolies really be ruthless enough to stifle innovations that could benefit everyone, all in the name of profit? Of course, the answer is yes! But there‚As another angle to explore, one that the remarkable Randall Garrett delves into in his unique style. Prepare ...

In Anchorite, Randall Garrett skillfully probes the depths of our government and society with a sharp needle of insight. He paints a vivid picture of a future where a world government enforces equality‚Aîregardless of individual desire‚Aîand ensures everyones needs are met, no matter their competence or character. As people navigate a landscape rife with deceit and distrust, Garrett chillingly forecasts the consequences of todays trends if left unchallenged. However, amidst the chaos, hope emerges from the asteroid belt, where only the capable and sensible can thrive and govern. But will...

In a society where telepathy and teleportation shape everyday life, FBI agent Kenneth Malone faces a bewildering challenge. As he navigates a tangled web of psionic powers, Malone discovers that confusion reigns across the U.S. Government, labor unions, the Mafia, and beyond. His task? To uncover the source of this chaos before it spirals out of control. With each twist and turn, Malone wrestles with an elusive FBI Director who keeps him guessing about his true mission. Will he decode the mysteries that threaten national stability? This gripping science fiction tale explores the intersection ...

Introducing Leland Hale, who will steal your heart - and all your money! Fraud, larceny, and murder are all in a day's work for this master interstellar confidence man. Leland thought the universe owed him a living - and he was collecting on the installment plan! He is about to descend on the planet Cardigan's Green with a planetary scam designed to make him rich at the population's expense. What this scoundrel doesn't know is that he is about to become a savior! And if he survives this misadventure, he has two more brilliant schemes in mind.

The title is obscure and a bit unsettling I admit; what could it possible mean? Randall Garrett wrote a story here that had me blissfully going in the wrong direction until he quietly yanked the rug from under my feet and made me fume a bit with irritation and amazement. I loved it and hated it because it did not end the way I wanted it to but the way it obviously should. The society and culture in the galaxy he has presupposed is as fascinating as the story itself and I can only hope he expanded on it in other books somewhere. The publisher quotes another story by R. Phillip Dachboden to ...

This is a follow up story to Randal Garrett's original story, A Spaceship Named McGyer. The intrepid protagonist, now that he has become the completely unintended and unwilling master of the robot spaceship McGyer, is called in by the owners, very reluctantly. to see if he can help their experts fix the problem. Since he is the only human McGyer will listen to they must have him there to get the ship to comply with any request at all. But there are rival corporations that wish the ship and the project, robot spaceships, to fail so he is indeed in great danger. But the real question of this ...

The Alien did not intend to crash land on earth, but he did. The alien tried to communicate with humans, but he could not. The alien did not wish to be captured, and so he wasn't. For over 5 years he roamed, looting and killing as necessary. Why could the combined forces and brains of all the nations on earth not deal with him or it? Well, Earth was faced with a strange problem indeed. They had to have a superman. And there weren't any available. So perhaps one had to be made.... - Summary by preface and phil chenevert

We've all heard of the wonderful invention that the Big Corporation or the Utilities suppressed? The one that would revolutionize society with it's simplicity? Well usually, that Wonderful Invention won't work, actually. But what if there really was one or two like that? Would the oil industry, or the power conglomerates, or the auto monopolies actually be nasty enough to suppress something that would help the rest of the world just so they could go on making profits? Well of course they would, silly! But then there is another possibility, one that is explored in the uniquely wonderful way of ...

Dive into the imaginative world of Randall Garrett, an irrepressible Science Fiction author renowned for his sharp wit and playful critique of the cherished beliefs of his time. Under a variety of pseudonyms, he penned a treasure trove of short stories for the SF magazines of the 1960s. In this collection, you‚All find three of his most entertaining tales With No Strings Attached, The Destroyers, and In Case of Fire. No matter the by-line, you can count on Garretts quirky storytelling to captivate and amuse.

Twenty-four of the greatest science fiction stories of all time in this fourth sci-fi short story collection, including works by Jerry Dunham, Emmett Dowell, James Causey, Gordon Randall Garrett, James A. Cox, Phyllis Sterling Smith, Richard A. Sternbach, Robert Sheckley, E. G. Von Wald, Keith Laumer, Jerome Bixby, Frederik Pohl, Roger Dee, Arnold Marmore, James H. Schmitz, Lester del Rey, Cordwainer Smith, Ray Bradbury, and Philip K. Dick.

Sci Fi Shorts is a collection of classic science fiction stories from the "Golden" age of space stories. This group of nine unabridged short stories by seven authors covers such adventures, as hidden aliens on earth, a conquered humanity, super villains made by super science and time travel.

This second collection of great sci-fi stories includes the following: "A Sense of Wonder" by Stephen Marlowe, "Seller of the Sky" by Dave Dryfus, "The Shining Cow" by Alex James, and more.

When a super-robot named Snookums learns to create his own superbombs, it quickly becomes clear that Earth is no longer a safe haven for him. In response, Dr. Fitzhugh, his creator, along with Leda Crannon, a child psychologist serving as Snookums’ caretaker, devise Operation Brainchild—a daring plan to transport the robot to a distant planet. However, their journey takes a dark turn aboard the spaceship when the medical officer is found murdered, and Snookums suddenly finds himself the prime suspect… - Summary by Mark Nelson

Dive into a world where psionic powers like telepathy and teleportation are a reality in Supermind. Follow FBI agent Kenneth Malone as he navigates the chaotic landscape of a government riddled with confusion and unexpected challenges. With an enigmatic FBI Director keeping him on his toes, Malone must uncover the source of the disorder affecting the U.S. Government, unions, the Mafia, and beyond. This engaging tale blends science fiction with slapstick comedy and a touch of romance, ensuring an entertaining ride from start to finish. (Summary by Richard Kilmer)

Can a spaceship truly lose its mind? The answer is a resounding yes—especially if it has a brain! Enter the MG (magnetogravitic drive) experimental robot spaceship, known as the McGuire, which has baffled its creators. After the first six models of the supposedly flawless MG-YR went haywire upon activation, the company fears sabotage. To uncover the mystery, theyve enlisted the expertise of Daniel Oak, a hard-boiled private investigator with nerves of steel and a razor-sharp mind. Though costly, Oak delivers results and has a knack for navigating the worlds of crime, spaceships, and ...

Dive into the intriguing world of The Society For Mystical and Metaphysical Research, Inc. This organization boasts a façade so eccentric that it has gone unnoticed by all but the most curious minds. Yet, beneath this seemingly absurd exterior lies a truth that is both shocking and enlightening. Once a hidden arm of the government, the Society has proven to be a valuable resource in unraveling the most perplexing mysteries. Join us as we explore the remarkable tale of how the Society achieved the impossible. Just another day at the SMMR. - Summary by the author and Phil Chenevert

Dive into the whimsical world crafted by Randall Garrett in That Sweet Little Old Lady, first published in Astounding Science Fiction in September and October of 1959. With his signature blend of twisted humor and fantastical yet relatable characters, Garrett tells the story of Ken Malone, a young and ambitious FBI agent tasked with an extraordinary mission to uncover a spy pilfering secrets from the Ultra Top Absolute Secret project aimed at developing a non-rocket spaceship at Yucca Flats Labs in Nevada. This isnt just any spy; they possess an enigmatic ability to extract information ...

What happens when telepathy emerges in society? The answer isnt pretty the draconian punishment of being chained to an asteroid and left to drift endlessly in space. In this gripping tale, we explore the unsettling reality of Earth‚As response to telepaths, branded as psychodeviants by a world gripped with fear. As the psychodeviant police hunt these so-called threats, one must wonder are all telepaths truly malevolent? Could it be that one of the hunters is hiding a secret of his own? Join us on this thought-provoking journey into a future where fear shapes the fate of humanity. - Summary ...

Dive into a world where the ancient Gods and Goddesses of Greece and Rome have returned to a transformed Earth, bringing their immense powers‚Aîand a new set of rules. In this imaginative adult science fiction tale, war, economic turmoil, and prudery have been outlawed, leading to a radical reimagining of society. New York City is no longer the same; the Empire State Building has become the majestic Tower of Zeus! Our protagonist, William Forrester, an acolyte of Athena, navigates his role as a teacher while grappling with the passionate advances of Maya Wilson, a devoted follower of Venus....