Product Description

Scout-Officer John Leeming knew from the very start that his reconnaissance mission deep into enemy territory was likely to be a one-way trip. But when his ship finally let him down and he crashed on a far-distant planet and was captured by tough and ruthless aliens, he knew he wasn't just going to give up. Armed with a piece of wood, a coil of copper-like wire, his quick wits and an imaginary ally called Eustace, Leeming embarked on a brilliant campaign to gain his freedom - and coincidentally undermined the entire alien war effort!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #534158 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Eric Frank Russell (1905-1978) was the first British writer to contribute regularly to Astounding Science Fiction, his first story, 'The Saga of Pelican West', appearing in that magazine in 1937. His novels include Sinister Barrier, Wasp and The Great Explosion and his short fiction has appeared in a number of collections.

Customer Reviews

Hugely enjoyable sci-fi romp.
Once upon a time, Science Fiction was mostly about mighty Starships crashing through the void, huge ray guns, and ne'er-do-well aliens wanting to make free with our earth women.
Naturally 99% of this genre, to modern eyes, is complete c**p.
The remaining 1% includes the work of Eric Frank Russell.
Anyone who has read the Stainless Steel Rat books will quickly see where Harry Harrisons inspiration came from; fast paced sci-fi adventure with an absolute disregard for tricky things like science but an abiding perfectionism of well-crafted storytelling and humour.
In the midst of an intergalactic war, Lieutenant Leeming crash lands on an enemy planet with only his skill at lying to officers, a length of copper wire and an imaginary friend called Eustace to save him. Can he survive?
The tale of how Leeming single-handedly disrupts the enemy war effort is, frankly, utterly implausible and unworkable. It is also wonderfully enjoyable to read and in places laugh-out-loud funny (the interrogation of the Human officer POW late in the book is priceless).
You won't find hard science like Clarke or Baxter here, but what you will find is the perfect book for pure enjoyment on a lazy afternoon.

Fast and funny read.
Most of Eric Frank Russel's books have one thing in commong, the quick witted humans outsmarting the dim-witted aliens. And this is no exception to the rule. While this may seem rather predictable and boring he always manages to avoid duplication. Each time the basic plot is worked out in a new and refreshing way.

Do not read this book if you want to read serious science fiction or military science fiction. That is not what this book is about. It was written to tell a story that should not be taken seriuos and that leaves a smile on your face. And this is exactly what it does, and brilliantly so.

This time the aliens being outwitted are on the other side of an intergalactic war, and they have made the unfortunate mistake of capturing and imprisoning an earthling. But that was not their biggest mistake, the biggest mistake was teaching him their language. For once they learn to communicate their war is as good as lost.

Outrageously hilarious
I must confess I haven't read it yet in his english version, so my review is based on an old experience. I just remember I read it several times back to back.

That book kept me with a stupid smile on my face for days and days. And even today, I remember it with the same smile.

Eric Frank Russel is a hilarious writer, although delivering his stories with a deadpan twist (he reminds me of somebody like Donald Westlake, although in a different line of work). Note that the author is english, and I think that sometimes it appears to be translucent in some oh-so-british ways of saying things.