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Spacemen Die at Home: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

Spacemen Die at Home: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

Spacemen Die at Home is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Ludwig, Edward W. (1920–1990).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Spacemen Die at Home" by Edward W. Ludwig is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. Set in a future where interplanetary travel is becoming a reality, the book primarily explores themes of ambition, the intrinsic pull of the stars, and the personal sacrifices that come with the pursuit of dreams. It reflects on the duality of human desires—the longing for exploration versus the longing for stability and companionship. The narrative follows Ben, a young man freshly graduated from the U.S. Academy of Interplanetary Flight, as he grapples with the choice between a life of adventure as a spaceman or a more grounded existence on Earth with the woman he loves, Laura. Through his interactions with Stardust Charlie, an aging spaceman who embodies both the glory and the grim realities of life in space, Ben reflects on the costs of cosmic exploration. After Charlie's unexpected death and the emotional turmoil that follows, Ben ultimately chooses to stay on Earth, opting for a conventional life filled with love, family, and security—a poignant reminder of the sacrifices often made for one's dreams. The story captures the essence of existential dilemma, poignantly emphasizing that not all dreams can be fulfilled without losing something precious in the process.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: Spacemen Die at Home
  • Author credits: Ludwig, Edward W. (1920–1990)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Science fiction
  • Short stories
  • Space travelers -- Fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: American Literature
  • Category: Novels
  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
  • Science Fiction

Read this edition

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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