The Fatal Third by Theodore L. Thomas
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"The Fatal Third" by Theodore L. Thomas is a science fiction novel likely written in the early 1950s, reflecting the technological aspirations and fears of a post-war society. The narrative centers around the devastating attack by the Uranians on an Earth fleet, leading to a crisis in space exploration and the resilience of humanity in a world that has seen peace for over a century. The book explores themes of violence, conflict,
and the cultural consequences of a long-lasting absence of war. The story follows Hanford Webster, the third officer aboard the spaceship "Polaris", as he grapples with a mysterious and catastrophic incident that destroys the majority of the Earth fleet, leaving his ship as the last survivor. The narrative unfolds as Webster and his fellow officers attempt to uncover the causes and motivations behind the sudden and unprovoked Uranian attack. Through a mix of tension, humor, and scientific speculation, Thomas develops Webster's character—an enormous man born for action in a peaceful time—as he uses his intellect and physicality to devise a solution to counter the new threat posed by the Uranians, ultimately seeking a chance to break his third-officer jinx and rise in rank. The story blends elements of adventure and intrigue while providing commentary on humanity's capacity for violence and the complexities of interplanetary relations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Thomas, Theodore L., 1920-2005 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Fatal Third |
| Series Title | Produced from Planet Stories November 1953 |
| Credits | Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 85.8 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Space ships -- Fiction |
| Subject | Weapons -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 64173 |
| Release Date | Dec 30, 2020 |
| Last Update | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 307 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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