Cover of Genesis

Genesis

  • Free to read
  • 35 min read
  • 4 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"Genesis" by H. Beam Piper is a science fiction novelet written during the early 1950s. The story unfolds aboard a spaceship carrying colonists to a new planet, Tareesh, as they seek to establish a new life. It explores themes of survival, evolution, and the resilience of humanity in the face of unforeseen challenges. The plot centers on Colonel Kalvar Dard and a group of colonists who, after a disastrous meteor strike, find themselves stranded on an alien planet following the destruction of their spaceship. As they struggle to adapt to their harsh new environment, Dard and the surviving women face not only the challenges of survival but also threats from primitive, human-like creatures known as the Hairy People. As the years pass, the group grows and evolves, facing internal struggles and external dangers. Dard’s legacy becomes one of hope and perseverance as he navigates the complexities of leading this new society, striving to cultivate a future despite the daunting challenges they encounter in their new world. Ultimately, the story speaks to the tenacity of human spirit and the survival of an evolving race.

Read free now No app, no sign-up. Your place is saved automatically. Or download for your e-reader ↓
  • Science fiction

Read the opening

Chapter 2

They were flung off their feet again, this time backward along the boat. As they picked themselves up, Seldar Glav was shaking his head, sadly. "That was the ship going up," he said; "the blast must have caught us dead astern."

"All right." Kalvar Dard rubbed a bruised forehead. "Set course for Tareesh, then cut out the jets till we're ready to land. And get the screens on, somebody; I want to see what's happened."

The screens glowed; then full vision came on. The planet on which they would land loomed huge before them, its north pole toward them, and its single satellite on the port side. There was no sign of any rocket-boat in either side screen, and the rear-view screen was a blur of yellow flame from the jets.

"Cut the jets, Glav," Dard repeated. "Didn't you hear me?"

"But I did, sir!" Seldar Glav indicated the firing-panel. Then he glanced at the rear-view screen. "The gods help us! It's yellow flame; the jets are burning out!"

Keep reading Genesis →

Contents

  1. Front Matter
  2. Chapter 2
  3. Chapter 3
  4. Chapter 4

Download for your e-reader

Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.

About this edition

This free edition of Genesis by H. Beam Piper comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #18105, released 2006-04-02. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Science-Fiction & Fantasy, Novels.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

More by H. Beam Piper