''Skylark'' is a science fiction/

space opera Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes Space warfare in science fiction, space warfare, with use of melodramatic, risk-taking space adventures, relationships, and chivalric romance. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, i ...

series by American writer E. E. Smith. In the first book, ''

The Skylark of Space ''The Skylark of Space'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Edward E. "Doc" Smith, written between 1915 and 1921 while Smith was working on his doctorate. Though the original idea for the novel was Smith's, he co-wrote the first part ...

'' (first published in ''

Amazing Stories ''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearance ...

'' in 1928), a scientist discovers/accidentally invents a space-drive, builds a

starship A starship, starcraft, or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for interstellar travel, traveling between planetary systems. The term is mostly found in science fiction. Reference to a "star-ship" appears as early as 1 ...

, and flies off with three companions to encounter alien civilizations and fight a larger-than-life villain. ''The Skylark of Space'' was the first of a series which continued through three subsequent books—''

Skylark Three ''Skylark Three'' is a science fiction novel by American writer E. E. Smith, the second in his ''Skylark'' series. Originally serialized through the ''Amazing Stories'' magazine in 1930, it was first collected in book form in 1948 by Fantasy ...

'' and '' Skylark of Valeron'' written during the 1930s, and '' Skylark DuQuesne'', written in 1963. R. D. Mullen declared that "The great success of the stories was surely due first of all to the skill with which Smith mixed elements of the spy thriller and the western story (our hero is the fastest gun in space, our villain the second fastest) with those of the traditional cosmic voyage."Reviews: November 1975

Science Fiction Studies ''Science Fiction Studies'' (''SFS'') is an academic journal founded in 1973 by R. D. Mullen. The journal is published three times per year at DePauw University. As Science fiction studies, the name implies, the journal publishes articles and ...

, November 1975 The series influenced the design of the early video game ''

Spacewar! ''Spacewar!'' is a space combat video game developed in 1962 by Steve Russell in collaboration with Martin Graetz, Wayne Wiitanen, Bob Saunders, Steve Piner, and others. It was written for the newly installed DEC PDP-1 minicomputer at the ...

''. The 2019 album '' All Aboard the Skylark'' by

Hawkwind Hawkwind are an English rock band known as one of the earliest space rock groups. Since their formation in November 1969, Hawkwind have gone through many incarnations and have incorporated many different styles into their music, including hard ...

is named after the stories.

Summary

The entire series describes the conflicts between protagonists Seaton and Crane, and antagonist DuQuesne, which often break into open warfare. It also includes depictions of progressively increasing scales of conflict (equalled by progressively-increased technology) between themselves, individually and collectively, and a series of non-humans bent on universal conquest. When forced to cooperate against an alien species which had conquered one galaxy and was expanding into others, the characters conclude that the universe is large enough to allow peace.

Novels

* ''

'' (written 1915–1921, serialized 1928, published in book form 1946) * ''

'' (serialized 1930, published in book form 1948) * '' Skylark of Valeron'' (serialized 1934, published in book form 1949) * '' Skylark DuQuesne'' (serialized 1965, published in book form 1966)

References

External links

(Transcribed from ''

'' 1928 publication.) (Transcribed from ''

'', 1930.) {{DEFAULTSORT:Skylark series Book series introduced in 1928 Science fiction book series Skylark series