Critical difference: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Critical difference: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Critical difference is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Leinster, Murray (1896–1975).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Critical Difference" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around the challenges faced by a Colonial Survey officer named Massy as he undertakes his first independent survey on the icy planet Lani III. The book delves into themes of survival, communication, and the effects of cosmic phenomena on human existence, particularly focusing on a critical drop in solar output affecting the habitability of Lani II, the colony's home planet. The narrative follows Massy's journey as he discovers alarming signals indicating that the solar constant is rapidly decreasing due to coinciding sunspot cycles. This trend poses an existential threat not only to the inhabitants of Lani III but also to his home world, Lani II. As conditions worsen, Massy, alongside a small group of colonists including the determined Riki Herndon, devises a plan to release metallic vapor clouds into the atmosphere to capture solar energy, serving as a makeshift shield against the intense cold. Through a combination of ingenuity, teamwork, and an evolving sense of responsibility toward his fellow colonists, Massy strives to create a viable future for them as he navigates personal connections, particularly with Riki, amidst the imminent cosmic peril. The story culminates in a hopeful transformation of Lani III, setting the stage for a potential revival of life in harsh conditions.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Critical difference
- Author credits: Leinster, Murray (1896–1975)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Climate change mitigation -- Fiction
- Life on other planets -- Fiction
- Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Space colonies -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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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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