The Fourth "R"
by George O. Smith (1911–1981)
- Free to read
- 4 hours to read
- 18 chapters
- Reading level: 7th grade
"The Fourth 'R'" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel published in 1959. Five-year-old Jimmy Holden possesses a college-level education thanks to his parents' invention, an "Electromechanical Educator." When his parents are murdered by his godfather and guardian, Jimmy must protect the plans imprinted in his mind, escape his would-be killer, and survive alone in a world designed for adults. The story examines what happens when extraordinary intelligence meets childhood vulnerability in mid-century American society.
- Science fiction
- Artificial intelligence
Read the opening
Chapter One
FUTURE IMPROMPTU
James Quincy Holden was five years old.
His fifth birthday was not celebrated by the usual horde of noisy, hungry kids running wild in the afternoon. It started at seven, with cocktails. They were served by his host, Paul Brennan, to the celebrants, the boy's father and mother. The guest of honor sipped ginger ale and nibbled at canapés while he was presented with his gifts: A volume of Kipling's Jungle Tales, a Spitz Junior Planetarium, and a build-it-yourself kit containing parts for a geiger counter and an assortment of radioactive minerals to identify. Dinner was served at eight, the menu selected by Jimmy Holden—with the exception of the birthday cake and its five proud little candles which came as an anticipated surprise from his "Uncle" Paul Brennan.
After dinner, they listened to some music chosen by the boy, and the evening wound up with three rubbers of bridge. The boy won.
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About this edition
This free edition of The Fourth "R" by George O. Smith comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #18602, released 2006-06-16. 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).
