A nonbinary kid on a lyrical space adventure gets to meet and make friends with all the planets in this scientifically factual, lavishly illustrated book.

Ted took a big deep breath then fired up the engines. The rocket's boosters rumbled into action like a hungry bear belly. "No adventure can start without a countdown " shouted Ted over the roar of the engines. 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . BEAR BLAST OFF In this richly illustrated book, astronomer Elizabeth Avery takes children and their parents on an educational and exciting journey through space. In these captivating pages, a bear named Ted takes off for a trip through the solar system with his best friend--a flower named, aptly, Fleur. The pair explore our moon, and from there they head out to places no being from Earth has yet visited: our neighboring planets Mars and Venus, more distant locales like Jupiter and Saturn, and even the source of all Earth's energy, the Sun. At each stop in this winning adventure, the pair learns basic scientific facts that are presented at a level that early readers can grasp. The result is a trip that is simultaneously instructive and entertaining, an interplanetary romp that will inspire kids to follow their scientific dreams.

The Greatest Adventure explores the past, present, and future of the space race. The space race was perhaps the greatest technological contest of the twentieth century. It was a thrilling era of innovation, discovery, and exploration, as astronauts and cosmonauts were launched on space missions of increasing length, complexity, and danger. The Greatest Adventure traces the events of this extraordinary period, describing the initial string of Soviet achievements: the first satellite in orbit; the first animal, man, and woman in space; the first spacewalk; as well as the ultimate US victory in the race to land on the moon. The book then takes the reader on a journey through the following decades of space exploration to the present time, detailing the many successes, tragedies, risks, and rewards of space exploration.

This book is a collection of space heroes that started as an ordinary man trying to get through the day. But something happens in their lives that changes their destiny from being just a face in the crowd to saving their world.

“A master storyteller . . . Michener, by any standards, is a phenomenon. Space is one of his best books.”—The Wall Street Journal Already a renowned chronicler of the epic events of world history, James A. Michener tackles the most ambitious subject of his career: space, the last great frontier. This astounding novel brings to life the dreams and daring of countless men and women—people like Stanley Mott, the engineer whose irrepressible drive for knowledge places him at the center of the American exploration effort; Norman Grant, the war hero and U.S. senator who takes his personal battle not only to a nation, but to the heavens; Dieter Kolff, a German rocket scientist who once worked for the Nazis; Randy Claggett, the astronaut who meets his destiny on a mission to the far side of the moon; and Cynthia Rhee, the reporter whose determined crusade brings their story to a breathless world. Praise for Space “A master storyteller . . . Michener, by any standards, is a phenomenon. Space is one of his best books.”—The Wall Street Journal “A novel of very high adventure . . . a sympathetic, historically sound treatment of an important human endeavor that someday could be the stuff of myth, told here with gripping effect.”—The New York Times Book Review “Space is everything that Michener fans have come to expect. Without question, the space program’s dramatic dimensions provide the stuff of great fiction.”—BusinessWeek “Michener is eloquent in describing the actual flights into space, as well as the blazing, apocalyptic re-entry of the shuttle into earth’s atmosphere.”—The New York Times

The Ultimate SF Collection: 140 Stories of Dystopias, Space Adventures & Lost Worlds is a monumental anthology that showcases the remarkable diversity and profound depth of speculative fiction. Within its pages, readers will embark on journeys through meticulously crafted dystopias, uncharted galaxies, and forgotten realms, brought to life by a range of writing stylesfrom the elegantly simple to the wonderfully complex. This collection not only spans a broad spectrum of themes but also includes seminal works that have shaped the genre, making it an indispensable volume for both novices and connoisseurs of science fiction. The inclusion of landmark tales from early speculative fiction pioneers alongside lesser-known gems offers a unique tapestry of narratives that challenge, entertain, and provoke thought. The authors represented in this collection are a veritable whos who of the speculative fiction genre, featuring luminaries such as H.G. Wells, Mary Shelley, and H.P. Lovecraft, among others. Collectively, their backgroundsranging from scientists, philosophers, and historians to adventurers and storytellersmirror the eclectic mix of stories presented. This anthology not only pays homage to the rich historical and cultural roots of the genre but also reflects the evolution of speculative fiction through various literary movements. The diversity of authors ensures a rich constellation of perspectives, making each story a distinct exploration of humanitys deepest fears and grandest dreams. This anthology is recommended for readers eager to dive into the vast expanses of speculative fiction. The Ultimate SF Collection offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the genre's breadth and depth, presenting stories that interrogate the human condition, stretch the imagination, and provide profound insights into our past, present, and possible futures. It serves as both an educational resource and a gateway to the endless possibilities that speculative fiction offers, encouraging dialogues between epochs, ideas, and visions. Engaging with this collection promises not only a journey through the outer reaches of space and time but a deeper understanding of the complexities and potentials of the human spirit.

DigiCat presents to you this unique SF collection, designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. E. M. Forster: The Machine Stops Richard Jefferies: After London Richard Stockham: Perchance to Dream Irving E. Cox: The Guardians Philip F. Nowlan: Armageddon–2419 A.D... George Griffith: The Angel of the Revolution... Percy Greg: Across the Zodiac David Lindsay: A Voyage to Arcturus Edward E. Hale: The Brick Moon Stanley G. Weinbaum: A Martian Odyssey... Abraham Merritt The Moon Pool... Edgar Wallace: The Green Rust... H. Beam Piper: Terro-Human Future History... Garrett P. Serviss: The Sky Pirate... Philip K. Dick: Second Variety... Jules Verne: Journey to the Center of the Earth H. G. Wells: The Time Machine Edgar Allan Poe: A Descent into the Maelstrom... Mary Shelley: Frankenstein... Edwin A. Abbott: Flatland Jack London: Iron Heel... R. L. Stevenson: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde George MacDonald: Lilith H. Rider Haggard: King Solomon's Mines She William H. Hodgson: The Night Land... Edward Bellamy: Looking Backward... Mark Twain: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Arthur Conan Doyle: The Lost World... Edgar Rice Burroughs Pellucidar Series Caspak Series Francis Bacon: New Atlantis C. J. Cutcliffe Hyne: The Lost Continent Margaret Cavendish: The Blazing World Jonathan Swift: Gulliver's Travels William Morris: News from Nowhere Samuel Butler: Erewhon Edward Bulwer-Lytton: The Coming Race James F. Cooper: The Monikins Charlotte P. Gilman: Herland Ayn Rand: Anthem Owen Gregory: Meccania the Su...