11) Miscellaneous Stuff (David Weber)
Description
This article is from the David Weber FAQ, by Cynthia Gonsalves/Daniel Bernstein with numerous contributions by others.
11) Miscellaneous Stuff (David Weber)
* 11.1. Other odd topics of conversation have included: the
relative merits of the cover art for the Honor books, one
fun thread that started out wondering what would happen if
Weber characters crossed over into the Star Trek universe,
then it cascaded to encompass other universes and inspire a
filksong, and comments about other books, TV shows, and
movies that newsgroup members enjoy. Note: spoiler
protection probably ought to be added to these discussions
out of courtesy. "Babylon 5" spoilers, especially, are
liable to result in your introduction to a certain gang of
bat-wielding Narns. You don't want that to happen, trust me!
* 11.2. Here's a question that needed an answer: "I see a lot
of references to E. E. "Doc" Smith and the Lensman universe
in the newsgroup....what's the connection to David Weber?"
Mike Richards wrote a very good capsule summary, enjoy!
o 11.2.1. Who is E.E. "Doc" Smith?
+ 11.2.1.1. Edward Elmer Smith, Ph. D., was a writer
of SF novels from the late twenties until his
death in the mid sixties. He was perhaps the first
author to write recognisable "Space Opera" novels,
with his Skylark and Lensman series
("Triplanetary", "First Lensman", "Galactic
Patrol", "Grey Lensman", "Second Stage Lensman",
"Children of the Lens" and "Masters of the
Vortex"). The latter books in particular featured
not-implausible science (based on what was
believed at the time it was written), a
meticulously detailed plot spread over several
self contained stories, characters changing and
developing, space battles on a galactic scale and
truly awesome weaponry. It was a source of
inspiration for the "Green Lantern" comics, and
was also one of the first SF series to portray any
strong female characters, with Clarissa MacDougal
(the "Red Lensman") and her daughters fully the
equal of anyone they met.
+ 11.2.1.2. Now, fifty years on, the books look
dated (particularly some of the science), but the
stories remain popular. They were among the SF
works that David (and Mike) Weber grew up with,
and favourable comparisons have been drawn in the
newsgroup.
+ 11.2.1.3. Most of Smith's work went out of print
in the early eighties, but the Lensman series has
just been reissued ("Ripping" in the UK, "Old
Earth Books" of Baltimore, Maryland in the US) and
the other books can often be found in second-hand
bookstores. The anime version bears little
relation to the stories other than some names.
+ 11.2.1.4. A "Lensman FAQ" is posted occasionally
on rec.arts.sf.written by Gharlane of Eddore.
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