Murray Leinster
1) Space Tug
Protagonist Bran Hoddan wants nothing more for himself than to be free of the taint of criminal activity that has long besmirched his clan. His plans for his future include a steady job and a fulfilling marriage. However, unforeseen circumstances have intervened, and suddenly Hoddan finds himself being pursued by a brutal group of primitive people. In desperation, he turns to his native trade -- piracy -- to free himself.
11) The Leader
What if you had clawed your way to a position of nearly unlimited power and influence—only to be supplanted by an even more powerful political figure? That's the premise behind Murray Leinster's thought-provoking tale The Leader, which many science fiction enthusiasts view as one of the most influential stories of its era.
12) Sand Doom
The American science fiction writer who used the nom de plume Murray Leinster was extremely prolific, penning more than 1,500 stories and novels over the course of his career, as well as a number of radio, television, and movie scripts. The story "Sand Doom" recounts the tale of a stranded ship that is down to the last of its supplies. Will the crew members be able to band together to save themselves before it's too late?
13) Scrimshaw
An advanced mining operation on the Moon is the backdrop for a series of bold attempted heists in this suspenseful tale from science fiction master Murray Leinster. The victim, left for dead, is beginning to recall details of the crime. Will the perpetrators be brought to justice? Read Scrimshaw to find out.
14) The Invaders
When we imagine establishing contact with an alien race, we usually assume that the interstellar interlopers would be light-years ahead of us in terms of technological sophistication. But what if our new alien acquaintances were astoundingly average in their appearance and intellect? That's the premise of The Invaders, a tale from Murray Leinster that puts a new spin on the first contact genre of science fiction.
15) Nightmare Planet
Written before the outbreak of World War II, this remarkable story imagines a military conflict in which a weapon of unprecedented power and destructiveness is unleashed—but this time, it's an enemy of the U. S. that has the upper hand. With entire cities swept off the map in a matter of seconds, will the country be able to fight back?
18) The Red Dust
What if the inhabitants of Earth received a message from the future warning of an upcoming calamity that could wipe out the entire planet? That's the plot that propels "The Machine that Saved the World" by prolific SF luminary Murray Leinster. When the denizens of the future propose a solution, however, one man harbors suspicions. Is he merely paranoid, or are his misgivings well founded?
20) Sam, This Is You
What if you could talk to the version of you who existed ten days ago, or the you who will exist ten days in the future? That's exactly what enterprising telephone lineman Sam Yoder figures out how to do in the surprisingly funny science-fiction story Sam, This Is You. At first, he focuses on the money-making potential of his little scheme—but before long, he runs into some unforeseen complications.
