Cosmic striptease: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Cosmic striptease: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Cosmic striptease is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Ellison, Harlan (1934–2018).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Cosmic Striptease" by E. K. Jarvis is a satirical science fiction short story published in the late 1950s. The narrative unfolds a fascinating premise where humans receive an astonishing broadcast from Mars, showcasing the Martian culture through a series of unexpected and risqué presentations. This thought-provoking work highlights human civilization's evolving relationship with morality, technology, and nudity, exploring the boundaries of societal norms through an interplanetary lens. The story centers around a TV producer named Roy Mallory and his beautiful secretary, Edith Miller, amidst the historic Martian television broadcast known as the "Big Show." As the Martians attempt to educate humanity by illustrating their advanced way of life in a visually captivating manner, the contents of the show—including nudity and raw depictions of family life—spark controversy and chaos on Earth. Initially regarded as cultural television aimed at elevating human morals, viewers react with shock and disapproval, leading to a humorous unraveling of social mores. The evolving dynamics in Roy and Edith's relationship mirror the changing attitudes toward nudity, culminating in a societal shift indicating that humanity might gradually embrace a more liberated existence inspired by Martian civilization.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Cosmic striptease
- Author credits: Ellison, Harlan (1934–2018)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Communication -- Fiction
- Earth (Planet) -- Fiction
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
- Martians -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Television broadcasting -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
Read this edition
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.


