The Great Secret: An Intergalactic Tale of Madness, Obsession, and Startling Revelations

By L. Ron Hubbard

Book Overview

HE CROSSED A DEADLY LAND FOR THE SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE. THE ANSWER MAY BE WORTH NOTHING AT ALL.

Fanner Marston has survived what killed every other man in his party. Driven by greed, power and obsession, he crosses a brutal landscape toward the legendary city of Parva, where the Great Secret of the Universe is said to wait.

Marston wants absolute power. He has paid for it in blood, thirst and endurance. But reaching the secret is only the beginning--because the truth at the end of his quest may overturn everything he believed the prize would give him.

Forty men began the journey.

One man reaches the end.

And the greatest secret in existence has one more surprise waiting for him.

Built around obsession, irony and a final reversal, The Great Secret is classic science fiction with a sting in the tail--followed by three more adventures of space combat, alien danger and resistance.

Four complete science fiction adventures in one volume. Also included are:

Space Can -- The destroyer Menace charges into a desperate space battle where a damaged ship and dwindling options test a crew that refuses to quit.

The Beast -- A hunter on Venus faces a terrifying creature in the jungle--and a danger that may not be what it first appears.

The Slaver -- Captured by an advanced alien power, Kree Lorin must survive enslavement and find a way to resist an enemy that believes humanity belongs in chains.

"Hubbard wrote a ton of pulp stories in every genre during the 1930s and 1940s. Galaxy is reissuing all of them in paperback--80 books in all (told you it was a ton). Each book features a killer pulp cover along with other illustrations, a glossary (parts of a ship for the briny swashbucklers, etc.), and background on the author."--Library Journal

Bringing his gift for storytelling to science fiction, L. Ron Hubbard crafted fast-moving tales where big speculative ideas become human problems--filled with adventure, ingenuity, humor, danger and unexpected reversals.

Part of the L. Ron Hubbard Science Fiction Collection--6 books featuring 20 classic science fiction stories--available in paperback, eBook and full-cast dramatized audiobook. Discover complete science fiction adventures spanning space travel, alien worlds, strange technologies, time travel and surprising possibilities.

Enjoy both the book and the audiobook. Also available as a professionally produced, full-cast dramatized audiobook.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592123716
• ISBN13: 9781592123711
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Galaxy Press (CA)
• Length: 122 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 10 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 8

Customer Reviews

Mix of good sci-fi shorts

This is a few short stories bundled together, each independent. The first story was my favorite, with a great last sentence (won't spoil it for you). A man seeks the "great secret" of a old, advanced civilization in an abandoned city that will bring him riches. Which of course, is not quite what he expects. Any one of these short stories would win a modern sci fi contest, no problem. Amazingly timeless. Recommended.

Unexpected ending

This story took me by surprise. From the moment I started to read it, I knew something was up and this propelled me through the story. You will not forget this sci-fi pulp classic.