First Lensman Audiobook By E. E. Doc Smith cover art

First Lensman

Lensman Series

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First Lensman

By: E. E. Doc Smith
Narrated by: Reed McColm
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In the not-too-distant future, while fleets of commercial space ships travel between the planets of numerous solar systems, a traveler named Virgil Samms visits the planet Arisia. There, he becomes the first wearer of the Lens, the almost-living symbol of the forces of law and order. As the first Lensman, Samms helps to form the Galactic Patrol, a battalion of Lensmen who are larger-than-life heroes. These soldiers are the best of the best, with incredible skill, stealth, and drive. They are dedicated and incorruptible fighters who are willing to die to protect the universe from the most horrific threat it has ever known.Hi-fi sci-fi: listen to more in the Lensman series.©2006 Books in Motion. This recording is produced by arrangement with The Estate of E. E. "Doc" Smith and Virginia Kidd, Inc. (P)2006 Books in Motion. This recording is produced by arrangement with The Estate of E. E. "Doc" Smith and Virginia Kidd, Inc. Adventure Science Fiction Space Opera Fiction Solar System Scary

Critic reviews

"The most towering figure in science fiction, thanks to the enormous scope of his novels." (Isaac Asimov)
"If you wish to understand the roots of modern science fiction, you have to read the Lensman saga." (Allen Steele)
"A finalist for a special Hugo Award for All-Time Best Series, 'Lensman' is considered by many sf heads to be the greatest of the space operas and clearly a source for such successors as Star Trek and Star Wars." ( Library Journal)

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As with any series, the first isn't the best, but this is classic sci-fi. It formed some of the beginning basis for my appreciation for fiction, and will always be awesome to me! The space-opera may be hard to get used to for young readers, but the Lensmen rule! This book is worth it for credit or cash!

The beginning

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I give this audio book three stars because the story is good. However, this is the most annoying narration I have ever heard. This could be a good series but I will not listen to another by this narrator. Perhaps it is an aquired taste...

Annoying narration

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Okay. The narrator of this series is not the best. Nevertheless, this story still works if you can get past some of writing (the "look of eagles" in the eyes of Lensmen for instance). If you've never dipped into these before, get Galactic patrol, Gray Lensman, Second Stage Lensmen and Children of the Lens in that order. If you are still hooked, go back and pick up First lensman. You have to be a real diehard lensmen fan to slug through Triplanetary.

This is classic space opera, good versus evil, with the guys in the white hats destined to win. Smith wasn't very good at envisioning future technology, but he comes up with some fun ideas. The inertialess drive is an interesting solution to FSL travel and the negasphere is one of the best Sci_Fi weapons ever imagined. His aliens are fun too, especially the frigid planet dwellers. Considering that the series was started in the late 30s, it holds up amazingly well.

Lensman Series is Still Fun

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it's easy to see how influential this series is on things like Star Wars, Star Trek, Green Lantern and more... but something just didn't quite grab me. yet i enjoyed it. not sure I'll continue to book 3. tbd.

classic but maybe not for modern audiences

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This book and Triplanetary are to the Lensman Series what the Hobbit is to The Lord of the Rings. They are prequels with compelling stories and interesting characters, but you are doing yourself a disservice if you read these after the main series (in my opinion).

Definitely though, Galactic Patrol and onwards are non-stop action fests, whereas Triplanetary and First Lensman are a little more thoughtful and slower. So if these don't grab you, don't miss out on the rest of the series because of it.

Also a warning to modern audiences: some things are going to be *jarringly* out of sync with what we perceive in sci-fi today. You have to understand it as coming from the 30's and 40's, otherwise you're going to be between bothered and outright offended at the way some characters (such as the women especially, but also any minorities that happen to come up) are portrayed. Don't let that distract your from the story. As Disney likes to say, it was wrong then, and it is wrong now.

But the story itself is still something to spark the imagination, and this is the space opera that started them all. There is still much of value to learn about the influence this series had on much of sci-fi to come for the following century.

Golden Age Sci-Fi at Its Best

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The story teller reminded me of the one in my library as a child who read the stories. They both infused a life to the story as for those who didn't like that sorry. I did 😃

A story I read as a child and is still good

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Best Sci-Fi space opera series of all time! Period. Doc Smith was prophetic and original.


Best science fiction ever

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Where does First Lensman rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not fair to compare this to other stories as I read these books when I was a wee lad. However, Reed McColm did a good job of giving the characters that "mid-century" feel better than, say, Agent Carter on TV. If you are familiar with the time period this series takes place then you'll enjoy it! If not, too bad because the smirk you have because Edward Smith, PhD didn't get quite right will keep you from enjoying the overall space opera that is the Lensman Series.

What other book might you compare First Lensman to and why?

Oh dear... comparing Lensman to its successors is rather unfair... Star Wars by George Lucas, Known Space by Larry Niven comes to mind but there are countless others that have been inspired by this 1930's-1950's piece.

What does Reed McColm bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Given that the audiobook only had one voice, the different characters Mr. McColn provided unique voicing was excellent. He captured the mid 1900s voice and timbr perfectly. It is easy to forget that mores at that time were very different than today. Mr. McColn did a great job of isolating the voices so you could ride along in that mid-century vibe. Thanks!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The great conflagration is coming... what side are you on? The Galactic Patrol or Boscone? Make up your mind NOW.

Any additional comments?

Well produced. Wished there were a few more dramatic effects in the audio but is perfectly acceptable as is. Kudos.

Despite its mid-century origin, Great Series

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slow start but a wonderful listen in the 1940s style of sci-fi. looking forward to the other 4 books

Pure escapism at its 1940s best

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Just what it says on the tin... the narration by Reed McColm got downright grating at times. His voice for the main character was an impression of an old newsreel announcer stereotype. The. entire. time. (I know the story was written in the 40s, but it’s a good thing to inject some modern realism into the performance) If your voicing the character whom we are primarily following, it’s best to use your normal voice, not an outlandish character voice.

And the voice choices for some of the aliens... I’d have preferred a simple change of attitude in the voice. The Palanians were for some reason “singing”... and it was more distracting than anything. I know he’s trying to differentiate the races and characters... but come on. And the voice of what is the main villain, Gharlane of Eddore, was so stereotypically “eeevil”, being slow and sniveling... seems more at place in a cartoon.

I’m disappointed that his narration is really my only choice if I stick with the audiobooks... because while I’m excited for the story, sitting through two books of this so far is not making me itching to start the third right away.

Good story, bad narration.

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