Destination—Death: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Destination—Death: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Destination—Death is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Peacock, Wilbur S. (1911–1979).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Destination—Death" by Wilbur S. Peacock is a science fiction novella published in the early 1940s. Set in the harsh, icy environment of Uranus, the story tackles themes of survival and betrayal amid the dire circumstances faced by two astronauts. The narrative primarily revolves around the desperate struggle of the protagonists as they attempt to navigate life-threatening conditions in their quest for a valuable mineral called "kronalium." The plot follows Bart Caxton and Tom Headley, two partners stranded on Uranus after a meteor damages their ship's rockets. As their oxygen supply dwindles, tension rises between them, revealing deep-seated mistrust and ambition. In a moment of desperation, Caxton decides to betray and murder Headley, believing he can escape with the precious mineral and evidence of their discoveries. However, he soon learns that the pools he thought were dangerous were actually liquid oxygen, and that Headley survived the ordeal. Ultimately, Caxton's greed leads to his own demise as he realizes too late that the animals he collected for proof and the situation he created for himself on the ship were part of a cruel twist of fate. The story ends with a bitter irony, highlighting the consequences of betrayal and the struggle for survival in an inhospitable world.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Destination—Death
- Author credits: Peacock, Wilbur S. (1911–1979)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Interpersonal conflict -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Survival -- Fiction
- Uranus (Planet) -- 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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