Prelude to Space: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Prelude to Space: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Prelude to Space is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Haseltine, Robert W..
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Prelude to Space" by Robert W. Haseltine is a science fiction short story written in the mid-20th century. The narrative revolves around themes of extraterrestrial life and humanity's readiness for space exploration. Haseltine explores the idea of interstellar civilizations and the processes involved in determining if Earth is prepared to join a galactic community. The story unfolds through the protagonist's encounter with a mysterious stranger who claims to be a poll taker from another planet. During a conversation on a Wisconsin hill, the stranger discusses the Galactic Federation and the criteria for Earth's admission into this interstellar organization. He explains that his civilization assesses whether Earth is ready based on the beliefs and readiness of its inhabitants regarding peace and space travel. The encounter leads to a realization of humanity's potential and the responsibilities that come with reaching out into the cosmos. Ultimately, the protagonist is left pondering the implications of this visit and the future of Earth in relation to other civilizations.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Prelude to Space
- Author credits: Haseltine, Robert W.
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
- 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.
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