Book Review: E.E. 'Doc' Smith's Classic Lensman Series

The Lensman Series, written by E.E. 'Doc' Smith over a period of 30 years up to the 1970's, is a set of 7 self-contained novels. Beginning with Triplanetary, which documents the beginnings of the human race on Tellus, also known as Earth, Smith introduces us to a world where two forces with great mental powers are fighting for supremacy. On one hand are the Arisians, self-appointed guardians of Civilization and students of the Cosmic All; on the other, the power-hungry Eddoreans.

Triplanetary introduces us to the early beginnings of the conflict, when Eddorean's Galaxy first coalesced with the Arisian's Galaxy. Predicting the future based on this new development, the Arisians set into motion a long range plan to develop existing life forms in the galaxy and aim them as a weapon to build and protect Civilization. Skimming through early Earth history up until humans first gained interplanetary flight, the book then focuses on several key persons in the Service of the Triplanetary League: Costigan, Rodebush, Cleveland and their boss, Virgil Samms, their ongoing fight with space pirates, as well as their first experiences with species other than their own.

With the fight against pirates and other forces of evil brought off-planet into a much vaster field, the books 'First Lensman' and 'Galactic Patrol' details how Virgil Samms, the head of the Service of the Triplanetary League, conceives the concept of the Galactic Patrol to effectively combat the pirates and is aided in bringing it to pass by the mysterious hunch of Dr Bergenholm, and the inexplicable order that they 'go to Arisia' - a place they have never before been allowed to approach. There, Virgil Samms becomes the first Lensman and the Galactic Patrol is born - a service of highly dedicated, incorruptible men with a sole purpose - to protect Civilization from the forces that would seek to destroy it.

The best books of the series were the Kinnison trilogy, i.e. 'Grey Lensman', 'Second Stage Lensman' and 'Children of the Lens'. In these books, E.E. Doc Smith really hit his stride. With strong characters such as Kimball Kinnison and Clarrissa MacDougall - the first and only female Lensman - supported by the other Second Stage Lensman in their quest to keep Civilization safe, one is drawn deeply into the fight for survival. Trends of pirating, gambling and drug pushing are merging to form a much bigger picture - that of Boskonia, the culture of anti-civilization.

To me, 'Children of the Lens' feels like the climactic ending of the Lensman series: Kim Kinnison of the Galactic Patrol, Clarrissa Kinnison and their five children, Kit, Kathryn, Karen, Camilla and Constance with the direct intervention of the Arisians finally team up to face the biggest battle of the galaxy - Civilisation against Boskonia, and behind them, the hitherto unknown, but much-dreaded foe, the Eddorians.

The last book in the series, 'Masters of the Vortex', whilst interesting, deals with a different set of characters altogether. It seems to be a rather off-tangent story, still set in the known Lensman galaxy, with mentions of Haynes and Kinnison, but with no reference as to the timeline of the story in comparison to the rest of the series.

The books in the series are:

1.Triplanetary

2.First Lensman

3.Galactic Patrol

4.Grey Lensman

5.Second Stage Lensman

6.Children of the Lens

7.Masters of the Vortex.