The swamp was upside down: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The swamp was upside down: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The swamp was upside down is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Leinster, Murray (1896–1975).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Swamp Was Upside Down" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction novella published in the mid-20th century, specifically in 1956, within the pages of "Astounding Science Fiction." The story revolves around the complexities of a colonial survey mission on a planet called Canna III, focusing on the profound environmental issues that arise when civilization interacts with alien ecosystems. The narrative involves elements of space travel, crisis management, and the responsibilities of scientific authority in the face of looming disaster. In the plot, Senior Officer Hardwick is summoned to Sector Headquarters after peculiar changes occur on the planet due to extensive irrigation practices that have led to the soil destabilization. As the situation worsens, tensions arise between civilian populations and the Survey personnel, particularly regarding their approach to the extensive groundwater issues generated by their irrigation systems. Hardwick and his junior officer, Lieutenant Barnes, work against time to find solutions, including utilizing ship-fuel to modify the soil structure while preventing catastrophic outcomes like landslides or explosions. The story explores themes of authority, ingenuity, and the consequences of human interference in nature, ultimately portraying a race against time to save both the island and its inhabitants from disaster.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The swamp was upside down
- Author credits: Leinster, Murray (1896–1975)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Geology -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Space colonies -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Environmental Issues
- 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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