The Legion of Space
A space opera about the Legion defending humanity from the Medusae.
The Legion of Space is a science fiction novel by American writer Jack Williamson, originally serialized in Astounding Stories in 1934. It was first published in book form by Fantasy Press in 1947 in an edition of 2,970 copies, with later reprints from Galaxy, Pyramid Books, and Sphere Books. The novel has been translated into German, French, Italian, and Japanese, and appears in the omnibus Three from the Legion.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Jack Williamson
- Illustrator
- A. J. Donnell
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- Legion of Space Series
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Publisher
- Fantasy Press
- Released
- 1947
Facts from the source article.
Plot background
The story is set in an era where humans have colonized the Solar System but cannot venture beyond it. The first extra-solar expedition to Barnard's Star failed, with survivors returning as babbling, grotesque, diseased madmen. They spoke of a gigantic planet populated by ferocious animals and a single city of evil Medusae—elephant-sized, four-eyed, flying jellyfish with hundreds of tentacles that communicate via radio waves.
Plot summary
The Legion is the military and police force of the Solar System, created after the overthrow of the Purples dynasty. John Ulnar, a Legion academy graduate sharing the Purples' surname, supports the Legion. The weapon AKKA, which erases matter via space/time distortion, was used to defeat the Purples; its secret is passed down from mother to daughter. The current Keeper, Aladoree Anthar, is guarded by the Legion. John Ulnar is assigned to her guard force on Mars through his uncle's machinations. John's uncle and nephew have allied with the Medusae to regain their empire, but the Medusae turn on them, planning to destroy humanity and move to the Solar System as their world spirals into Barnard's Star. John rescues Aladoree, but the Medusae invade, conquering the Moon and bombarding Earth with gas projectiles. John, Aladoree, and companions land on a ravaged Earth, fight cannibals maddened by the gas, build AKKA, and destroy the Medusae fleets and Earth's Moon.
Critical reception
Brian W. Aldiss and David Wingrove dismissed The Legion of Space as a Gosh-wow! epic thundering along on the cloven heels of Doc Smith. Everett F. Bleiler faulted its stylistic and developmental problems, notably the irritating characterizations, but concluded it is carried by drive and verve, making it one of the better early space operas. Thrilling Wonder Stories called it space opera with a vengeance, with passably good characterization in an interplanetary chamber of horrors that becomes a little tiresome. P. Schuyler Miller wrote it does not pretend to be more than a good space-adventure yarn in the swashbuckling tradition of The Three Musketeers. Lester del Rey praised it as a classic adventure story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who illustrated The Legion of Space?
The Legion of Space was illustrated by A. J. Donnell.
How many pages is The Legion of Space?
The Legion of Space has 259 pages.
Which book follows The Legion of Space?
The Legion of Space is followed by The Cometeers.
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