Greed

by L. Ron Hubbard

Overview

Is Greed good? The future of Earth and all of mankind may hang on that one question. And George Marquis Lorrilard—a space age ace-pilot, adventurer and fortune-hunter to rival Hans Solo of Star Wars—is just the man to answer it.

The world is divided between Asia and the United Continents—two great super powers locked in eternal warfare. But the balance of power is about to shift in Asia’s favor. They have developed a top-secret weapon—the cohesion projector–that could lead to annihilation on an unprecedented scale.…

But as far as Lorrilard is concerned, the number one problem with the projector is that it stands in the way of his profits. Can he find a way to subvert the powerful weapon and resume his enterprising exploits through leadership and self deception? For millions of people on Earth survival may ultimately depend on the power of one man’s need speed and Greed.

Greed was the last L. Ron Hubbard story published in Astounding Science Fiction in April 1950, marking the end of an era. Over a decade before, he had been a key figure in the opening of the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Now, as he turned his attention to other writings, the Golden Age drew to a close. But some three decades after this story appeared, Hubbard would make a triumphant return to the field with the publication of his bestselling novel Battlefield Earth and the extraordinary ten-volume series Mission Earth.

Also includes the science fiction adventures, The Final Enemy, in which Earth discovers it faces a distant, yet devastating new foe, the identity of which is the most shocking blow of all, and The Automagic Horse, the story of a Hollywood special effects wizard who is about to apply his movie magic to a project that is out of this world.

“A wonderfully rich and textured experience, complete with realistic sound effects and moody atmospheric music.” —Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award winner for 2008

New York Times Bestselling Author

L. Ron Hubbard Fiction Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592123698
Publisher:	Galaxy Press, LLC
Publication date:	06/20/2011
Series:	Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories Collection
Edition description:	First Edition, New Edition
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	910L (what's this?)

About the Author

With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most acclaimed and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard.

Editorial Reviews

This slim volume of three stories and a novel excerpt from the 1950s is part of an ongoing 80-volume collection of short stories by the prolific and controversial Dianetics guru, L. Ron Hubbard (1911–1986). He had numerous adventures, and the works here all star his avatars: daring, magnetic, flawed personalities who exploit the weaknesses of their opponents against enormous odds. The dated gee-whiz narrative voice falls flat in "Greed" and "The Automagic Horse," achieves terminal pomposity in "Final Enemy," and dominates the four-page snippet of Beyond All Weapons, an account of a Martian colony's revolt against an oppressive Mother Earth. (The whole novel can be ordered, a not-so-discreet footnote announces.) Even a glossary of 1950s catchphrases can't make this highly commercial promo for Galaxy's "Golden Age Book Club" relevant to 21st-century readers. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"This collection gives listeners a good idea of the type of fiction being written for the pulp magazines of the era. The audio production only enhances the signature ‘pulp’ style of the time and provides an enjoyable way to experience these early science fiction stories." —SF Site

"I have really been enjoying these golden age stories by L. Ron Hubbard. So much of today’s fiction has become overly complicated, with deep, hidden meanings and symbols. I like to read those stories, but sometimes it’s nice to relax with something a little more light-hearted. These are simpler stories from a simpler time. I hope other audio publishers will follow Galaxy Press’ lead and resurrect more fiction from this era." —Audiobook Heaven

“Hubbard’s trio offer vintage action, adventure, and romance….These full-cast productions quickly become addictive. Their brevity also makes for perfect commuter fare. Anyone who enjoys hard-boiled pulp writing or old-time radio will be rewarded.” —Library Journal

From the Publisher