A Matter of Magnitude: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
A Matter of Magnitude: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
A Matter of Magnitude is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Sevcik, Al.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"A Matter of Magnitude" by Al Sevcik is a science fiction short story written in the late 1950s. The narrative revolves around the massive spaceship named Senator Joseph L. Holloway, affectionately known as Big Joe, which is commanded by the awe-struck six-star Admiral Heselton. The story explores themes of technological hubris and the unexpected outcomes of intergalactic interactions, delivering a commentary on perception and scale. The storyline unfolds as Admiral Heselton and his crew aboard Big Joe receive a mysterious transmission from an alien ship that remains undetectable by their radar and optical equipment. In a tense exchange, the admiral realizes that the aliens can see Big Joe clearly, while his own crew is entirely unaware of their presence. As the aliens express annoyance at the sight of the heavily armed battleship, Heselton faces an embarrassing truth: their powerful vessel is dwarfed by an alien craft that is much smaller, measuring only an inch and a half in length. Ultimately, this encounter forces the crew to retreat, highlighting the irony of their situation and the limitations of their technological superiority.
Book and edition facts
- Title: A Matter of Magnitude
- Author credits: Sevcik, Al
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Space ships -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
- Science Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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