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W. John Campbell
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The Mightiest Machine: Aarn Munro Book 1 Kindle Edition

by John W. Campbell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
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A million light-years from Earth, one solitary spaceship floats through a vast swarm of enemies. The ship was an experimental vessel from Earth that utilised a revolutionary new concept in space mechanics, developed by the near-superman Aarn Munro. The enemy vessels were wholly unknown to Mankind, for the new drive had taken the Terran vessel into an unmapped void, where not even the telescopes of Earth had ever penetrated before...
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    AARN MUNRO
  2. Print length
    213 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Gateway
  6. Publication date
    September 29, 2011
  7. File size
    1055 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00H6SOGNQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gateway (September 29, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 29, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1055 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 213 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1434464636
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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W. John Campbell

W. John Campbell

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John Campbell has been a practicing trial lawyer for over 25 years, arguing cases to judges and juries across the United States. He has also been a magician since age 6, and is co-author of a book on close up magic. John was raised in a Christian household and considered himself a Christian until college when, in trying to strengthen and defend his faith, he embarked on an investigation that ultimately caused him to leave it. John is married with two children, and in addition to writing enjoys adventure travel, photography and music.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
47 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

robertsimes
5.0 out of 5 stars Space Opera at it's best
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2018
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I've been looking for this book and the sequel for over 50 years. I enjoyed them as a yoiungster and they were just as enjoyable this time around.
One person found this helpful
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STXDAVID
5.0 out of 5 stars Old view that all things are possible.
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
Love the old scifi stories. Focus on the ability of the individual to change not only the world but all of existence. The triumph of good over evil by superior individuals in the spirit of Ayn Rande
One person found this helpful
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James R. Vogus
3.0 out of 5 stars Space opera and rays
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
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The book is a fun example of early space opera. The plot keeps moving with a rapid pace. Some racism, but typical of the period. The science is hogwash but if you can suspend your disbelief it is a lot of fun.
One person found this helpful
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Joel D. King
4.0 out of 5 stars A great classic
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2012
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I first read "The Mightiest Machine" in the early 1970's, when it had already a generation old. Of all of John W. Campbell's writings, I consider this to be the best. The characters are individual and real, the scope of the story sweeping, and the details of the conflict riveting. I have managed to locate two copies in paper over the years, only to have them fall apart as the paperback glue failed. But no longer, I have it on my Kindle now! The review concerning "a poor photocopy" must be dated, this opens and reads and changes font size like all good Kindle products.

Come explore the best the 1930's had to offer. Read "The Mightiest Machine".
6 people found this helpful
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Richard White
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2013
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I read this a long time ago along with two follow up stories about Aarn Muno. I would to see those stories published again. The book I found them in was titled "The Incredible Planet"
One person found this helpful
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bobcaul
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2017
Verified Purchase
got it on 01/30/2017. Very Pleased
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Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look at SciFi from a different culture...
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2014
I picked up this book in a used bookstore. I've seen the John W. Campbell award and knew that he is considered one of the greats of Science Fiction, but I had not read anything by him previously. So, I picked up this copy, from the 1950's, complete with a cigarette ad. I was not impressed.

On the one hand, the writing is not really that good. I'll admit it is a fun romp in many ways, but there is never a problem that can't be solved by some new technology they just pull out of nowhere on a moments notice. Unarmed spaceship confronted by highly advanced evil bad-guy (literally demons) aliens? Invent weapons on the fly (including the main weapon based on a technology they claimed earlier in the book could not be used as a weapon). Too far from the sun to use the charging beam? Invent faster than light travel. The book is full of these instant inventions that solve every problem and are much more advanced than the knowledge of a very old and advanced space-going race. Sure, it's fun, but it's often cringe-worthy.

But what really astounded me was both the blatant racism and the total acceptance of genocide as a solution to problems. Campbell indicates that the good-guy aliens actually came from Earth, as did the bad guys as well, Some that did not manage to escape into space after a war with the bad guy devil aliens crashed back onto earth. Only the ones who crashed in Europe remained pure, while those who crashed in Africa and other areas bred with the locals and were clearly inferior. It is an interesting look into the racist attitudes of the era.

There are two planets at war, our ancient relatives and the devil-appearing bad-guys. The only solution ever considered is complete annihilation of the other species. They end up using a moon to completely destroy their planet and ships to eliminate any that may try to escape. Never once is the idea of negotiations even remotely considered. Completely genocide is considered a perfectly reasonable idea with no discussion at all. It is assumed that they are evil and must be destroyed. After all, they look like devils.
2 people found this helpful
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The Reader Jake Gyllenhaal
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2017
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was good
One person found this helpful
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