| Author |
Smith, George O. (George Oliver), 1911-1981 |
| Illustrator |
Williams, A. (Arthur) |
| Title |
Vocation
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| Original Publication |
United States: Street & Smith Publications, Incorporated,1945.
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 76.7 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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| Credits |
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net.
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| Summary |
"Vocation" by George O. Smith is a science fiction narrative likely written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1940s. The story revolves around themes of intellectual growth and the consequences of technological advancement, focusing on the interactions between humans and an advanced alien race that possesses interstellar travel capabilities and knowledge of a powerful energy source known as "directive power." The plot delves into the idea of readiness and understanding when it comes to harnessing such technologies and the implications they carry. The main storyline follows Andrew Tremaine, a determined journalist seeking answers about the mysterious alien Gerd Lel Rayne and his people, who possess knowledge beyond that of humanity. As Andrew grapples with feelings of inadequacy and curiosity, he learns that his race must earn the right to access the secrets of interstellar travel and energy manipulation, suggesting a philosophical journey of maturity and self-discovery. Throughout their conversations, Gerd expresses the need for humanity to evolve naturally rather than through the artificial enhancement of intellect. The tension builds as Andrew considers ways to break through mental barriers but ultimately realizes the inherent danger of potential misuse of such powers. The tale concludes with a poignant acknowledgment of human limitations and the necessary growth required to achieve true understanding, leaving readers to ponder the balance between knowledge and responsibility. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
Science fiction
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| Subject |
Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
68247 |
| Release Date |
Jun 5, 2022 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
64 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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