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

From outer space is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Zacks, Robert.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"From Outer Space" by Robert Zacks is a science fiction story originally published in the early 1950s. Set in a distant future where humanity faces extraterrestrial contact, the narrative confronts themes of communication, understanding, and the repercussions of first encounters with alien life forms. This short story captures the essence of humanity's fate when confronted with the unknown, exploring the fragility of civilization in the face of superior beings. The plot revolves around an old space veteran who recounts to a group of young, eager listeners the events leading to humanity's downfall. The story begins with Earth's first contact through telepathic messages from aliens who initially express confusion over humanity's status. As Earth prepares for an encounter, panic ensues, leading to military readiness. However, this results in the aliens controlling the planet after witnessing humanity's violent preparations, mistaking a cultural scene for a predatory threat. The story culminates in a poignant twist as these aliens, who evolved from pigs, decide to place humanity in bondage, showcasing the ironic consequences of misunderstanding and fear.
Book and edition facts
- Title: From outer space
- Author credits: Zacks, Robert
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Storytelling -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
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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.



