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

Impact is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Cox, Irving E., Jr. (1917–2001).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Impact" by Irving E. Cox, Jr. is a science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. The book explores the themes of civilization versus primitive society, delving into the moral dilemmas faced by trade agents when encountering untainted cultures. As a narrative centered on interstellar exploration, it raises questions about expansion, cultural preservation, and the consequences of technological intrusion into untouched worlds. The story follows Martin Lord, a trade agent aboard the spaceship "Ceres", which lands on a pristine planet inhabited by a seemingly primitive but profoundly insightful people. As Lord navigates a growing attraction to Niaga, a native woman, he faces the challenge of balancing his responsibilities to the Galactic Federation with a desire to protect her way of life. Amidst crew desertions and conflicts over cultural imposition spearheaded by the regimented teacher Ann Howard, Lord grapples with the ethical implications of his mission. In a stunning twist, Lord discovers that the natives possess a powerful telepathic ability and ultimately orchestrate a plan to erase his memories to prevent the corrupting influence of civilization on their culture. The novel culminates in an exploration of identity, duty, and the costly impact of progress on innocent societies.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Impact
- Author credits: Cox, Irving E., Jr. (1917–2001)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- 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.


