Invaders from the Infinite - John W. Campbell

. .

Résumé :
Invaders from the Infinite by John W. Campbell is a science fiction narrative that follows the adventures of a renowned scientific trio-Arcot, Wade, and Morey-as they confront a formidable alien threat. The story begins with the arrival of a mysterious alien race, the Ortolians, who seek assistance from Earth to combat the Thessians, a ruthless species intent on conquering inhabited worlds across the universe. The Ortolians, evolved from canines, possess advanced mental capabilities but lack the technological prowess to defend themselves against the Thessians' superior weaponry. The Thessians, originating from a massive planet with intense gravity, have developed a comprehensive understanding of space and geometry, allowing them to create powerful molecular rays and other advanced technologies. Arcot and his team, equipped with their advanced spaceship, the _Ancient Mariner_, embark on a mission to aid the Ortolians and gather intelligence on the Thessians' technology. They discover that the Thessians have been monitoring Earth's progress and are alarmed by the rapid advancements in human technology. The narrative explores themes of interstellar cooperation, the ethical implications of advanced technology, and the resilience of intelligent species in the face of existential threats. As the team races against time to prepare for the impending invasion, they must leverage their scientific knowledge and form alliances with other civilizations to stand a chance against the Thessian menace....

Biographie:
John Campbell was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1910. His father, John Wood Campbell Sr., was an electrical engineer. His mother, Dorothy (n?e Strahern) had an identical twin who visited them often and who disliked John. John was unable to tell them apart and says he was frequently rebuffed by the person he took to be his mother. Campbell attended the Blair Academy, a boarding school in rural Warren County, New Jersey, but did not graduate because of lack of credits for French and trigonometry. He also attended, without graduating, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was befriended by the mathematician Norbert Wiener (who coined the term cybernetics) - but he failed German, and MIT dismissed him in his junior year in 1931. After two years at Duke University, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physics in 1934....