Cover of One in Three Hundred

One in Three Hundred

Unknown

By: J. T. McIntosh

ISBN: 9780359219315

The fate of Mankind is in the balance, Earth is dieing, the only hope is to escape and rebuild civilization on the Mars Colony.Only one in three hundred will be allowed to leave a Earth in it's last darkest days.Who will go? Who will stay? Classical science-fiction at it's bes

Format: BOOK
Publisher: Unknown
Pages: 222
Published: 2018-11-11
Language: en

AI Overview

Title: "One in Three Hundred" by J. T. McIntosh

Publication Details:

  • Author: J. T. McIntosh
  • Publisher: Doubleday & Company, Inc.
  • Publication Date: 1953 (originally as three novellas in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction)
  • Genre: Science Fiction
  • Language: English

Plot Summary: The book "One in Three Hundred" is a science fiction novel that originally appeared as three novellas: "One in 300," "One in a Thousand," and "One Too Many." The story takes place in a near-future where Earth is facing an impending catastrophe due to the increasing heat of the sun, making it uninhabitable. The plot revolves around a selection process where only one in three hundred people are chosen to leave Earth and start a new colony on Mars. The novel explores themes of survival, selection, and the human condition under extreme circumstances.

Key Themes:

  1. Survival and Selection: The novel highlights the process of selecting individuals for a new colony on Mars, emphasizing the criteria for survival and the moral dilemmas that arise from this selection.
  2. Human Condition: It delves into the human experience, exploring how people react to the impending doom of their planet and the choices they must make to ensure their survival.
  3. Social Commentary: The book touches on social issues, such as the fairness and ethics of the selection process, and how it affects different segments of society.

Critical Reception: The novel received mixed reviews from critics.

  1. Damon Knight: Knight wrote a scathing review, criticizing both the tone and plausibility of the story.
  2. Groff Conklin: Conklin described the novel as "a thrilling and tragic story," offering a more positive critique.
  3. Anthony Boucher: Boucher, who had published the original stories, reviewed the novel as "McIntosh's best work and one of the most human science fiction stories by anyone".
  4. P. Schuyler Miller: Miller noted the popularity of the original stories and termed McIntosh "a writer to watch".

Editions and Availability: The book was originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction between 1953 and 1954. It was later published by Doubleday & Company, Inc. in 1956 as an Ace Double D-113, bound with Dwight V. Swain's The Transposed Man. The novel is considered a rare find in superior condition, with some copies selling for high prices.

Overall, "One in Three Hundred" by J. T. McIntosh is a thought-provoking science fiction novel that explores themes of survival, selection, and the human condition under extreme circumstances, receiving both positive and negative critiques from critics.