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Mike Robertson
10-29-2008
04:17 UT
|
Since I've found out that Dietmar intends to write a followup story to Cosmic Computer I think its a good idea.
Mike Robertson
> Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:45:19 +0000
> Subject: Zarthani.net's H. Beam Piper List
> From: qtopic-42-tnfVKeAH3s4T@quicktopic.com
> To: qtopic-subs@quicktopic.com
>
< replied-to message removed by QT >
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David "PiperFan" Johnson  10-29-2008
04:08 UT
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Oops! Looks like that link to the carniculture article wrapped and broke. Try this. David Edited 10-29-2008 04:08
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David Johnson
10-29-2008
04:03 UT
|
Carniculture is here:
http://www.popsci.com/environment/gallery/2008-09/inside-vertical- skyscraper
(You'll need to click-thru to "Image 7 of 11.")
David
--
"Very groovy." - Roberta Lincoln (Terri Garr), _Star_Trek_,
"Assignment: Earth"
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David Johnson
10-29-2008
03:45 UT
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New Great Piper Mailing List Landgrab Claim!
From: Dietmar Wehr
Date: October 28, 2008 9:00:17 AM MST
Subject: Piper Landgrab claim
I wish to register my landgrab claim to a) the planet of Poictesme and b) the 10th century AE.
Dietmar Wehr
------------------------------
The guidelines for such claims are listed here:
http://www.zarthani.net/landgrab.htm
Let's hear what you think, worthies!
David
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David Johnson
10-28-2008
02:54 UT
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Mike,
>> is what is this "contragravity field" that is just
>> detectable from Yo-Yo around the curvature of Audhumla? Is it
>> the ship's "normal space" drive?
>
> That's what I always assumed. I assumed the "drive" whatever it
> was, was operating because the Yo-Yo was traveling around the
> planet rather than sitting in one spot in orbit.
Elsewhere
in the novel the normal space drive is described as the "Abbot
lift-and-drive," the same technology used eight hundred years earlier
in _Cosmic_Computer_. So it would seem that the
contragravity
technology used to move non-space vehicles around over a planetary
surface and in atmosphere is the same technology used to move
spacecraft through "normal space."
David
--
"I've not time for theory--just hope you're right!" - Mr. Scott, _Star_Trek_, "That Which Survives"
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David Wright Sr.
10-27-2008
15:48 UT
|
Well, as a Southerner who found minie balls in my backyard as a kid as a
result of being right in the middle of one of the battles for Atlanta,
and still lives in the path that Sherman took to the Sea, it has
always been very obvious to me. :)
David Wright Sr.
< replied-to message removed by QT >
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Gordon Johansen
10-27-2008
15:29 UT
|
Thanks Jim. I always wondered what that song sounded like.
Gord
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Jim Broshot
10-27-2008
02:33 UT
|
QT - David Johnson wrote:
> First I've ever heard of this but it doesn't surprise me. All
> you have to do is read "Rebel Raider" to get a sense of the
> ways in which Beam recognized the complexities of the Civil
> War:
I read Rebel Raider when it first went up on Project Gutenberg.
Interesting. Piper certainly knew his military (and political) history.
Here's
a version of "Marching Through Georgia" from You Tube, an early 20th
century rendition preserved the Edison apparatus. A version that Piper
might have heard at one time?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Q8jmGryKg
Jim Broshot
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David Johnson
10-27-2008
00:31 UT
|
Jim,
> I suppose someone has already noted that lyrics of "Marching
> Through Noster" can be sung to the tune of the 1865 American
> Civil War song "Marching Through Georgia" - and in some ways
> resemble the lyrics of that song.
First
I've ever heard of this but it doesn't surprise me. All you have to
do is read "Rebel Raider" to get a sense of the ways in which Beam
recognized the complexities of the Civil War:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/19194
Down Styphon!
David
--
"The Vulcans are a species that appreciates good ears." - Quark, _Deep_Space_Nine_, "The Maquis, Part 2"
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Jim Broshot 10-26-2008
05:32 UT
|
I suppose someone has already noted that lyrics of "Marching Through
Noster" can be sung to the tune of the 1865 American Civil War song
"Marching Through Georgia" - and in some ways resemble the lyrics of
that song.
http://freepages.music.rootsweb.ancestry.c...gmon/cwmarching.htm
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David Johnson
10-25-2008
05:17 UT
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Mike,
> Also: "Yo-Yo", didn't Piper come with great ship names!
As Gilmoure observes: "a blazon of a feminine hand dangling a planet by a string from one finger."
Seems there was a "Yo Yo Buddy" in WWII's 100th Bomber Group:
http://www.100thbg.com/mainmenus/airplanes/airplanes6/2_20_1.jpg
David
--
"Without
facts the decision can not be made logically. You must rely on your
human intution." - Mr. Spock, _Star_Trek_, "Assignment: Earth"
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Gilmoure
10-24-2008
20:42 UT
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Between the name and the image on the side of the ship, it makes me
think this was some real bomber nose art. Any mil historians out there
up on this? G
On Fri, Oct 24, 2008 at 1:34 PM, QT - Mike Robertson <
qtopic-42-tnfVKeAH3s4T@quicktopic.com> wrote:
>
--
Gilmoure
<http://gilmoure.livejournal.com>;
<http://gilmoure.tumblr.com>;
< replied-to message removed by QT >
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Mike Robertson
10-24-2008
20:34 UT
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David Johnson writes:
> And so Lucas Trask's Nemesis first encounters Yo-Yo, one of the
> Andray Dunnan's marauders, at Audhumla.
>
> My question, is what is this "contragravity field" that is just
> detectable from Yo-Yo around the curvature of Audhumla? Is it
> the ship's "normal space" drive?
That's
what I always assumed. I assumed the "drive" whatever it was, was
operating because the Yo-Yo was traveling around the planet rather than
sitting in one spot in orbit.
Also: "Yo-Yo", didn't Piper come with great ship names!
Mike Robertson
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David "PiperFan" Johnson 10-24-2008
04:19 UT
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Been listening to LibriVox's audio version of Space Viking: ". . . and a third one somewhere out of sight, we can just get the fringe of her contragravity field around the planet."And so Lucas Trask's Nemesis first encounters Yo-Yo, one of Andray Dunnan's marauders, at Audhumla. My question, is what is this "contragravity field" that is just detectable from Yo-Yo around the curvature of Audhumla? Is it the ship's "normal space" drive? Edited 10-24-2008 04:21
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David Johnson
10-21-2008
15:47 UT
|
Jay,
>> His model for the
>> System States War was the U.S. Civil War--and the System
>> States Alliance was modeled on the Confederacy.
>
> At this point we run into politics and I have to stop.
>
> although you can e-mail me off list and I will point out some
> sources.
You've sources for the historical models Beam used for the System States Alliance?
Cool! Do tell.
David
--
"Doctor,
these people are healthy and they are happy. Whatever you choose to
call it, this system works despite your emotional reaction to it." -
Mr. Spock, _Star_Trek_, "The Apple"
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Jay P. Hailey
10-21-2008
15:42 UT
|
> I'm not familiar enough with Firefly's Alliance to
> make the
> comparison but I don't think the Federation was
> obviously evil.
> Beam was a more complex writer than that. His model for
> the
> System States War was the U.S. Civil War--and the System
> States Alliance was
> modeled on the Confederacy.
At this point we run into politics and I have to stop.
although you can e-mail me off list and I will point out some sources.
jayphailey@yahoo.com
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David Johnson
10-21-2008
05:07 UT
|
Jay,
>> It seems it was mostly about local planets chaffing under
>> the economic hegemony of Terra.
>
> I think we could legitimately borrow some of Firefly for that.
> Although Piper's Federation would be more ruthlessly pragmatic
> than Firefly's Alliance, they wouldn't be so arcane about being
> evil.
I'm not familiar enough with Firefly's Alliance to make the
comparison
but I don't think the Federation was obviously evil. Beam was a more
complex writer than that. His model for the System States War was
the U.S. Civil War--and the System States Alliance was
modeled on the Confederacy.
> A sort of direct Mafia frame of mind. "We're in control.
> Challenge that and we'll nuke you. Now go on about your
> business."
No,
I think the colonial model Beam was using for the Federation was the
British (or Spanish) Empire. The Federation is a mercantilist
hegemon. It is the ultimate in legitimized _status_quo_.
> From Uller Uprising, the Fuzzy Books and Four Day Planet, I
> think we see A) protagonists who must resolve problems with
> little Federation interference and B) the Federation hanging
> over the scene
True,
but these are all "early" Federation works. The Federation looks
quite a bit different in "Oomphel in the Sky" and "Naudsonce."
> So from this, I think we can interpret that THFH Federation is a
> blunt instrument. If you screw up badly enough to warrant
> Federation interference, you get occupied and all resistance is
> put down directly. Government officials and ring leaders are
> rounded up and either tried or shipped back to Earth for trial.
> A new colonial government is installed and the message is plain.
> run things smoothly and quietly or eat another "Area-of-effect"
> interference.
I
think by the time of the System States War this wasn't the case, at
least in that portion of the Federation sphere which became the System
States Alliance. These must have been worlds where the
influence
of Terra was tenuous enough that they thought they could secede and
where the loyalty of local Army and Navy forces was not to the
metropole of Terra.
> Now a more direct antagonist force for the PCs...
>
> Hmmm. One of the PCs has unknowingly recovered evidence of the
> corruption of a local force commander. On Ameratsu, or some
> other less-than-detailed colony in 700 A.E. the local CinC is
> taking bribes, playing favorites and generally running a mafia
> inside his command.
I think, rather, the PCs have discovered a local merchant house which is trading without paying the proper tariffs to Terra.
> Now, he feels that the PCs have evidence that would out him to
> high command. This would result in a severely blunt force
> Federation removal and replacement of that command.
Or Federation seizure of the merchant house's assets.
> So he rounds up a handful of Corrupt Navy, Army and Marine
> officers, and they head out with small groups of commandoes
> tracking down "System States Partisans and Terrorists" trying
> to shut them up before the evidence makes it's way to some place
> dangerous.
Or
the merchant house asks some Alliance partisans to deal with the
PCs--now the PCs have to decide which side of the War they're on. . . .
Remember Ashmodai! Remember Belphegor!
David
--
"Risk is our business." - Captain Kirk, _Star_Trek_, "Return to Tomorrow"
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Deleted by topic administrator 10-20-2008 03:41
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David Johnson
10-20-2008
01:32 UT
|
Jim,
> Sorry to do this.
Not a problem. This is a new
tool for our little community and we're going to have a few hiccups
getting it right. We should talk about such issues here so that
everyone can learn what's going on.
> BUT I am receiving messages from the list.
>
> BUT I tried to log on to the list page and it neither recognizes
> my name, nor my email address, nor my password.
You're
subscribed at the e-mail address this message comes to. (I've also
blind-copied you on this message, just in case. You should get two
copies of this, one from the mailing list and one from me
directly.) Follow-up with me off-line when you get this and we'll sort out the problem.
Hang in there.
David
--
"I
don't understand computers: Why, I don't even understand the people
who understand computers!" - Juliana, Queen of the Netherlands
|
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Jay P. Hailey
10-19-2008
16:54 UT
|
> Sorry to do this.
>
> BUT I am receiving messages from the list.
>
> BUT I tried to log on to the list page and it neither
> recognizes
> my name, nor my email address, nor my password.
>
> Jim Broshot
OH, MY GAWD!!!! (I shouyld say "Great Ghu!")
YOU'RE FIRED!
On the one hand I can see not wanted to clutter up the list with support issues.
On the other hand. I think we need to be friends and Piper fans first. Otherwise this thing isn't going to be any fun.
Jay ~Meow!~
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
|
|
Jim Broshot
10-19-2008
16:22 UT
|
Sorry to do this.
BUT I am receiving messages from the list.
BUT I tried to log on to the list page and it neither recognizes my name, nor my email address, nor my password.
Jim Broshot
|
|
Jay P. Hailey
10-19-2008
03:02 UT
|
I'm reminded of an article I read
> by Mark
> Miller (of Traveller fame) many years ago which noted
> that a
> good campaign needed both a "pull"--that would be
> the desire
> for trade profit you have here--and also a
> "push," an
> adversary or other situation that kept them from settling
> down
> or loitering anywhere too long.
I noticed this during my Star Wars games (Suited my players better)
The game was always more fun with Storm troopers about two steps behind them.
> > I'd have to do some research into the System
> States war.
> It seems it was mostly about local planets chaffing under
> the
> economic hegemony of Terra.
I
think we could legitimately borrow some of Firefly for that. Although
Piper's Federation would be more ruthlessly pragmatic than Firefly's
Alliance, they wouldn't be so arcane about being evil.
A sort of direct Mafia frame of mind. "We're in control. Challenge that and we'll nuke you. Now go on about your business."
From
Uller Uprising, the Fuzzy Books and Four Day Planet, I think we see A)
protagonists who must resolve problems with little Federation
interference and B) the Federation hanging over the scene
So from
this, I think we can interpret that THFH Federation is a blunt
instrument. If you screw up badly enough to warrant Federation
interference, you get occupied and all resistance is put down directly.
Government officials and ring leaders are rounded up and either tried or
shipped back to Earth for trial.
A new colonial government is installed and the message is plain.
run things smoothly and quietly or eat another "Area-of-effect" interference.
Now a more direct antagonist force for the PCs...
Hmmm.
One of the PCs has unknowingly recovered evidence of the corruption of
a local force commander. On Ameratsu, or some other less-than-detailed
colony in 700 A.E. the local CinC is taking bribes, playing favorites
and generally running a mafia inside his command.
Now, he feels that
the PCs have evidence that would out him to high command. This would
result in a severely blunt force Federation removal and replacement of
that command.
So he rounds up a handful of Corrupt Navy, Army and
Marine officers, and they head out with small groups of commandoes
tracking down "System States Partisans and Terrorists" trying to shut
them up before the evidence makes it's way to some place dangerous.
One
of the PCs had an old friend, who turned out to be a Federation Spy
during the Systam States War. He Acked and died on the gangway of the
PCs ship.
He hid the incriminating evidence in the ship somewhere before the PCs became aware of him.
Or something like that.
:)
Jay ~Meow!~
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
|
|
David Johnson
10-18-2008
21:33 UT
|
Jay,
>> Any interest in running it again? We could open up a
>> separate game forum here on the discussion board. . . .
>
> Unfortunately, I must decline. I tried a PBeM western game a
> while back and it died because I just couldn't keep up. between
> work and other stuff, I just don't have the time to make such a
> gamne work.
Yeah, that's always a challenge. I've often wondered if it would work to have a team of referees run such a game. . . .
> If I were to GM for Piper fans, i'd set it aboard a small tramp
> freighter - and have the crew visit various places in the
> Piperverse. Set it at about 700 A.E.
> Of course you could imagine who'd be the market for such a ship.
> People who didn't want to get involved with the big space lines,
> people who were moving cargo that was rejected or to places the
> big liners didn't go.
> Most of the plots would be the passenger/cargo dragging the crew
> into their own story.
> It could probably have a Firefly feel to it as well.
I
think that would work well. You might need an underlying bit of
conflict too. I'm reminded of an article I read by Mark Miller (of
Traveller fame) many years ago which noted that a good campaign needed
both a "pull"--that would be the desire for trade profit you have
here--and also a "push," an adversary or other situation that kept
them from settling down or loitering anywhere too long.
> I'd have to do some research into the System States war. Why
> did it happen and how the various combatants felt about it.
It seems it was mostly about local planets chaffing under the
economic hegemony of Terra.
Remember Ashmodai! Remember Belphegor!
David
--
"What
was the use of this struggle to keep a decaying civilization from
being eaten alive, if you never got the chance at any of the decadence
yourself?" - Dominic Flandry (Poul Anderson)
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Jay P. Hailey
10-18-2008
20:58 UT
|
> What did you do about computers? Did they look like Merlin
> or
> like a grape iMac?
Interesting question. As I recall, I didn't even define it that closely.
But they would have been using 2001 typesof electronics. That would have put an interesting spin on the piperverse.
> That's a shame. What was the basic plot premise of
> your game?
>
> Any interest in running it again? We could open up a
> separate
> game forum here on the discussion board. . . .
>
> David
> --
Unfortunately,
I must decline. I tried a PBeM western game a while back and it died
because I just couldn't keep up. between work and other stuff, I just
don't have the time to make such a gamne work.
Apologies.
If I
were to GM for Piper fans, i'd set it aboard a small tramp freighter -
and have the crew visit various places in the Piperverse. Set it at
about 700 A.E.
Of course you could imagine who'd be the market for
such a ship. People who didn't want to get involved with the big space
lines, people who were moving cargo that was rejected or to places the
big liners didn't go.
Most of the plots would be the passenger/cargo dragging the crew into their own story.
It could probably have a Firefly feel to it as well.
I'd have to do some research into the System States war. Why did it happen and how the various combatants felt about it.
I think Hyperdrives at that time were pulling 1 ly per day, weren't they?
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
|
|
David Johnson
10-18-2008
15:47 UT
|
Jay,
>> I'm still trying to figure out ways to "re-interpret" the ways
>> Beam described his technology in a manner that make sense in
>> light of contemporary technological understandings.
>
>
> I didn't. I just added Abbot Lift-and-drives, Dillingham
> Hyperdrive, Carniculture Vats and Collapsuim and froze the rest
> of the technology at 2001 - when I tried to run my own H. Beam
> Piper Influenced game.
What did you do about computers? Did they look like Merlin or like a grape iMac?
> But my players were not fans of Piper and didn't get the notion
> of a "Retro" sci fi game.
That's a shame. What was the basic plot premise of your game?
Any interest in running it again? We could open up a separate game forum here on the discussion board. . . .
David
--
"Granted
it can work a thousand, a million times faster than a human brain but
it can't make a value judgment. It has no intuition. It can't
think!" - Captain Kirk, _Star_Trek_, "The Ultimate Computer"
|
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Jay P Hailey
10-18-2008
08:17 UT
|
> I'm still trying to figure out ways to "re-interpret" the ways
> Beam described his technology in a manner that make sense in light of
> contemporary technological understandings.
I
didn't. I just added Abbot Lift-and-drives, Dillingham Hyperdrive,
Carniculture Vats and Collapsuim and froze the rest of the technology at
2001 - when I tried to run my own H. Beam Piper Influenced game.
But my players were not fans of Piper and didn't get the notion of a "Retro" sci fi game.
So. Meh.
One
question - we see really small fission reactors. On the order of jars
or something. But much too heavy for a person to do anything but hurt
themselves with. (You needed a contragrav fork lift to handle them)
How did this generate power?
Assuming
the Collapsium was stable, sheer heat would work just fine. heat the
whole assembly up and stick it in a closed cycle steam engine and badda
bing.
But I don't recall Piper say much along those lines.
Jay ~Meow!~
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Jay P Hailey
10-18-2008
08:06 UT
|
>> FWIW, I believe "Life on Mars" was a British series first, I
>> remember seeing a few episodes on BBC America.
> I seem to recall this too, now that you mention it, but the plot premise is straight out of
> "Time and Time Again":
> http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18831/18831-h/18831-h.htm
> David
That anticpates Hawking doesn't it? I seem to recall something about time being symetrical and all moments coexisting.
Or was that Brian Greene?
In any case, that gave me a "Boink!"
Jay ~Meow!~
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Jon Crocker 10-13-2008
01:24 UT
|
I just took the 'virtual Hostigos tour' - that was great, thanks!
Seeing the actual land helps me imagine the scenes from the book that
much better.
Jon
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David Wright Sr.
10-12-2008
20:04 UT
|
David Johnson said Speaking of 'Life On Mars'
'I seem to recall this too, now that you mention it, but the plot premise is straight out of "Time and Time Again":'
Although
similar, there is at least one difference. In T&T Allan Hartley
goes back to inhabit his own 13 year old body in his own history whereas
in LOM, the protagonist goes back to be a grown person with the same
name and profession, but obviously, a different history in what appears
to be a parallel world.
He also appears to receive communication from his previous existence.
It's
implied, possibly, through one of these communications that his
discussion with the killer as a young boy might have had an effect on
the world that he came from.
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djfrank
10-12-2008
19:49 UT
|
Hi Jon,
Welcome!
I see that David has already pointed
you to the online tour. You'll see that most of what Piper wrote about
remains much as it was in his day. One of the advantages of an
economically depressed region. On the other hand, the places where
Piper actually lived himself are _all_ parking lots, at least those in
Pa.
Watch for next year's Muster, near the end of May. Perhaps you'll be able to join us in Hostigos!
Dennis
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David Johnson
10-12-2008
06:02 UT
|
Jon,
> Here's a question that Dennis might be able to answer, or anyone
> else that's been through PA - are the areas that Piper described
> in Lord Kalvan all under shopping malls now, or are some
> more-or-less as they would have been when he was writing it?
Some
have been paved over while others look much the same. I've been to
the annual Muster of Piper Irregulars twice now and have been ecstatic
to be standing, among many other locales from the novel, at this spot
(both times):
http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/carr/Lord_Kalvan/Tour01.htm
(This is the first page of Dennis' guided photo tour through the geography of _Otherwhen_.)
Down Styphon!
David
--
"You
know, most of the wars they've been fighting, lately, on the
Europo-American Sector have been, at least in part, motivated by
rivalry for oil fields." - H. Beam Piper, "Temple Trouble," 1951
|
Jon Crocker 10-11-2008
08:15 UT
|
Greetings all - at last I find time to get here!
I love the painting, thanks for posting that.
Here's
a question that Dennis might be able to answer, or anyone else that's
been through PA - are the areas that Piper described in Lord Kalvan all
under shopping malls now, or are some more-or-less as they would have
been when he was writing it? I remember time spent comparing the
descriptions of the area with a Rand McNally road atlas, and I wonder
how much has changed over the years.
Happy [Canadian] Thanksgiving / Columbus Day weekend -
Jon
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Tom Rogers
10-11-2008
01:26 UT
|
David:
in re: /m31
>> Below are two images from Piper's personal copy of "The Kentucky
>> Rifle" by Capt. Dillin.
>How
in the _world_ were you able to come across this book!?! If it was
>rare in 1930 I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to find
>Beam's actual copy today!
The odds-on-favorite theory at the
moment is that Mike Knerr took it from Beam's apartment when he cleaned
it out. Knerr wrote a comment and his initials inside next to a comment
written by Beam about the Covenhoven rifle, and I don't see him being
able to do that when Piper was alive! Piper's notes are handwritten
throughout the book, and some are quite amusing. I found it through an
estate sale in Williamsport (the estate was allegedly from Lock Haven).
My best guess is that Knerr gave it away to someone before he moved from
the Williamsport-area to California. There is a rifle catalogue
advertisement from about 1969/70 laid in the book which probably
belonged to Knerr, too.
FYI: the newspaper articles pasted
inside the front cover (you can just see them in the photo) are about
Capt. Dillin and seem to date to 1929/30.
Tom
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David Johnson
10-10-2008
18:01 UT
|
Jim,
> FWIW, I believe "Life on Mars" was a British series first, I
> remember seeing a few episodes on BBC America.
I seem to recall this too, now that you mention it, but the plot premise is straight out of "Time and Time Again":
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18831/18831-h/18831-h.htm
David
--
"That's what we call 'love.' You'll like that too, a lot." - Captain Kirk, _Star_Trek_, "The Apple"
|
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David Johnson
10-10-2008
17:58 UT
|
Alan,
> The strange thing about this painting is the fact I didn't know
> Kelly Freas has most likely used the "Murder in the Gunroom"
> photo as his model for the "Time Crime" Astounding cover.
I'd never before realized this was an image from "Time Crime":
http://www.zarthani.net/Images/timecrim55a.jpg
(I'll have to update the entry for that issue of _Astounding_ in the Zarthani.net bibliographies!)
> I
> found it in my Kelly Freas art book, after I'd painted the
> "Gunroom" photo reference (given me by John F. Carr-there are
> very few photos of Piper, I've found).
Yes,
now that I realize it's an illustration of a scene from "Time Crime"
the resemblance to Piper's pose for the _Gunroom_ photo is
unmistakable.
Thanks,
David
--
"Captain, you almost make me believe in luck." - Mr. Spock,
_Star_Trek_, "A Taste of Armageddon"
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David Johnson
10-10-2008
17:50 UT
|
Tom,
> Below are two images from Piper's personal copy of "The Kentucky
> Rifle" by Capt. Dillin.
How
in the _world_ were you able to come across this book!?! If it was
rare in 1930 I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to find
Beam's actual copy today!
David
--
"Do you know which books
to study, and which ones not to bother with? Or which ones to read
first, so that what you read in the others will be comprehensible to
you? That's what they'll give you [at
university] on Terra. The tools, which you don't have now, for
educating yourself." - Bish Ware (H. Beam Piper), _Four-Day_Planet_
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David Johnson
10-10-2008
06:09 UT
|
Jim,
Welcome back.
> I'd contribute a few bucks to the cause, but I don't use Paypal.
Actually, you don't need to have a PayPal account to make a
contribution--all
you need is a credit card. Just click the PayPal Donate or Amazon
Honor System link at the bottom of the page here:
http://www.zarthani.net/
Thanks,
David
--
"The Vulcans are a species that appreciates good ears." - Quark, _Deep_Space_Nine_, "The Maquis, Part 2"
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Jim Broshot
10-10-2008
06:00 UT
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OK, I'm back, I think. Thanks to David for restarting the Piper list. I
was getting my Piper fix by downloading and reading those stories posted
on Project Gutenberg.
I started reading Piper in the early 60s -
I still have my old Ace Paperback copy of "Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen"
and read "Uller Uprising" in the Twayne Triplet volume I found at the
Rolla (MO) Public Library in 1963.
FWIW, I believe "Life on Mars" was a British series first, I remember seeing a few episodes on BBC America.
I'd contribute a few bucks to the cause, but I don't use Paypal.
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David Johnson
10-10-2008
02:46 UT
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Folks,
ABC's _Life_on_Mars_ premiers tonight:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/lifeonmars/index?pn=index
Methinks someone's been reading Beam's "Time and Time Again" or "Hunter Patrol."
David
--
"I've not time for theory--just hope you're right!" - Mr. Scott, _Star_Trek_, "That Which Survives"
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Alan Gutierrez
10-09-2008
06:44 UT
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David; "This is such a cool painting! Besides all the cool Piper/Paratime bits my favorite part is the virtual display". Thanks! The
strange thing about this painting is the fact I didn't know Kelly Freas
had most likely used the "Murder in the Gunroom" photo as his model for
the "Time Crime" Astounding cover. I found it in my Kelly Freas art
book, after I'd painted the "Gunroom" photo reference (given me by John
F. Carr-there are very few photos of Piper, I've found). I'm a big fan
of Freas since my first meeting with him in 1980, and used it in the
Piper portrait art, I've described, so for me, it's a salute to both
giants of Science Fiction! Edited 10-09-2008 06:44
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David Johnson
10-09-2008
06:25 UT
|
Alan,
> Piper in his office at Dhergabar. Note the "Time Crime" cover on
> center left...
This is such a cool painting! Besides all the cool Piper/Paratime bits my favorite part is the virtual display.
Thanks!
David
--
"A
girl can punch any kind of a button a man can, and a lot of them knew
what buttons to punch, and why." - Conn Maxwell (H. Beam Piper),
_The_Cosmic_Computer_
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David Johnson
10-09-2008
06:23 UT
|
Terry,
> Someone who actually knew Beam.. I am John J McGuire's daughter.
Welcome (back). Say, have I missed anything your father published in the list near the bottom of the page here:
http://www.zarthani.net/bibother.htm
Thanks,
David
--
"Sometimes a feeling, Mr. Spock, is all we humans have to go on." - Captain Kirk, _Star_Trek_, "A Taste of Armageddon"
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Tom Rogers
10-08-2008
18:19 UT
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Below are two images from Piper's personal copy of "The Kentucky Rifle"
by Capt. Dillin. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to get all of this into
one message (instead of three). The signature picture shows Beam's
notation regarding a description of a Covenhoven (sp?) rifle in the book
-there is a letter from Piper to Ferd Coleman in John's biography of
Piper that specifically mentions this rifle and book (page 36 of "H.
Beam Piper: A Biography").
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Tom Rogers
10-08-2008
18:12 UT
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Piper's signature and reference to a particular rifle described in the book
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Tom Rogers
10-08-2008
18:11 UT
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 cover shot of "The Kentucky Rifle" Edited 10-08-2008 18:11
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Alan Gutierrez
10-08-2008
14:39 UT
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 Piper in his office at Dhergabar. Note the "Time Crime" cover on center right... Edited 10-08-2008 14:40
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Terry McGuire
10-08-2008
13:11 UT
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Someone who actually knew Beam.. I am John J McGuire's daughter.
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David "PiperFan" Johnson 10-08-2008
05:32 UT
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As you can see we have, through the generosity of a select few of
our fellow members here, received sufficient financial contributions to
allow us to upgrade to full functionality of the discussion forum,
including the capability to post images. Thanks very much to
those of you who made contributions. We are all enriched by your
financial support for our virtual community. Edited 10-08-2008 05:35
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David "PiperFan" Johnson 10-08-2008
05:30 UT
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 H. Beam Piper from Murder in the Gunroom dustjacket (Image courtesy of Zarthani.net) Edited 10-08-2008 06:50
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David Johnson
10-07-2008
05:02 UT
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Mike,
> I always enjoyed the discussions on the other list, even if they
> get heated.
We'll be able to have heated discussions here too, as long as they are Piper related. Nothin' wrong with that.
Down Styphon!
David
--
"I
would like to point out that we are quite capable of some 'wrath'
ourselves." - Mr. Scott, _Star_Trek_, "Who Mourns for Adonais?"
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David Johnson
10-07-2008
04:58 UT
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Mike,
> I picked up Little Fuzzy because of the Michael Whelan cover
> art,
I'm
not sure which was my first Piper book but I was drawn to his work in
the same era by the same lure: Whelan's images of Beam's worlds.
> Some of the topics I enjoyed the most on the Piper-L List were
> tech related.
> Reconciling Piper's past-future tech with what we know today.
I'm
still trying to figure out ways to "re-interpret" the ways Beam
described his technology in a manner that make sense in light of
contemporary technological understandings.
> The effect of contragravity on the nature of how people in
> Piper's future lived.
> (Much like the widespread use of the personal car helped create
> suburban America.)
Beam
only gives us glimpses of this; I would love to see a story that made
this central to what was happening. (I tried to do this some in my
"daughter of Space Viking" game but I'm not sure I was very
successful.)
> In my life, there have only been two science-fiction worlds that
> I have wished I could live in.
> Joss Whedon's Firefly 'verse and
> H. Beam Piper's Terro-Human Future History.
Neat 'verses both!
David
--
"There are certain things men must do to remain men." Captain Kirk, _Star_Trek_, "The Ultimate Computer"
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David Johnson
10-07-2008
04:53 UT
|
Alan,
> I've recently done the cover art for the Piper biography from
> McFarland.
It's a great piece of Piper lore, perhaps my favorite of your Piper- related works.
> I hope this forum does get a gallery going. I'll be happy to
> contribute the works I've done for John in the past 7 years in
> it, including the Piper portrait art, and the 3rd Kalvan book,
> "Rylla's Throne" art.
That
would be wonderful! We've gotten enough contributions so far to keep
us free from ads for a couple of years but we need about $30 more to
get us to the level where we can have an image forum.
Welcome!
David
--
"Captain, you almost make me believe in luck." - Mr. Spock,
_Star_Trek_, "A Taste of Armageddon"
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Mike Robertson
10-07-2008
03:57 UT
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Hi Everyone.
My first exposure to Beam Piper came with the
reprint of Space Viking in the early 80's. I picked up all of the
books, and the anthologies as they were printed.
I always enjoyed the discussions on the other list, even if they get heated.
John Carr's contributions were particularly appreciated. I highly recommend Carr's Piper biography to all who haven't read it.
Thanks David for doing this.
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pennausamike
10-06-2008
16:17 UT
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Hey all.
Been a Piper fan since the re-release of Little Fuzzy; 1975 I think.
I was in the book department waiting for my Mom to get off work at Penn Traffic department store.
I
picked up Little Fuzzy because of the Michael Whelan cover art, stood
transfixed reading 'til it was time to go and OBVIOUSLY had to buy the
thing.
Piper's people and worlds really spoke to me.
I spent twenty years in every used book store from PA to FL locating out of print Piper books.
(My first copy of Crisis In 2140 still lives in a sandwich bag!)
I got all the books but not all the main printings (i.e. no hardbound Junkyard Planet etc.)
Then I discovered the computer, piperfan-David's website and eBay.
I had never even spoken to another fan of Piper's works before "meeting" folks on the computer.
And
even now, as a moderator on the PA Browncoats Yahoo Group
(Firefly/Serenity fandom) I only know a few other folks who are familiar
with Piper.
Some of the topics I enjoyed the most on the Piper-L List were tech related.
Reconciling Piper's past-future tech with what we know today.
Architecture in Piper's worlds.
The seeming stagnation of Firearms design over THOUSANDS of years.
The effect of contragravity on the nature of how people in Piper's future lived.
(Much like the widespread use of the personal car helped create suburban America.)
I've
also enjoyed John Carr's tidbits of insider info, tho' with the
printing of his Piper biography, its only insider info if you don't have
the book! (so...ya know...run out and GET that bio!)
In my life, there have only been two science-fiction worlds that I have wished I could live in.
Joss Whedon's Firefly 'verse and
H. Beam Piper's Terro-Human Future History.
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Alan Gutierrez
10-06-2008
01:10 UT
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Hi everyone! I've recently done the cover art for the Piper
biography from McFarland. As some here may know, I've done every cover,
and most of the interior art maps for Pequod Press, John F. Carr's
publishing company. Right now, times are tough. John's held up
with the latest Kalvan sequel "Rylla's Throne" (working title) due in
part, to poor sales of Pequod books. I was slated to do the maps this
fall, and I fear may be another year before doing that, much less
publication. I too, like John, am experiencing the same slow
down in commissions. John is the last link for me, in what was once the
thriving mid-list SF/F paperback book market of the 80's and 90's. I
hope some of you who haven't yet bought John's books, do so, maybe as a
holiday gift! http://www.hostigos.com I
hope this forum does get a gallery going. I'll be happy to contribute
the works I've done for John in the past 7 years in it, including the
Piper portrait art, and the 3rd Kalvan book, "Rylla's Throne" art. Until
then, my website has that, and the other works I've done for Pequod, at
http://www.alangutierrez.com in the Sci-Fi gallery. BTW,
I do digital commissions for as little as $100 (one character or less)
and I'd be happy to do more Piper related art!-keep John's "starving
artist" alive! Edited 10-06-2008 01:12
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Riss
10-05-2008
18:20 UT
|
Hey people...Glad to see there are still Piper fans lurking around.
Just to let you know that I will have a new version of The "Gashta
Homepage" up this week sometime. I will be using wordpress but the site
will not be blog orientated. It will have all the pics and fan art like
before. As well as the Language dictionary and other cool things. I was
corresponding with Ardath Mayhar and she gave some cool insight into the
writing of "A Golden Dream"...which I will post. Cheers and let's keep
H. Beam Pipers legacy alive. http://www.gashta.netEdited 10-05-2008 18:23
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David Johnson
10-05-2008
15:41 UT
|
Tom,
> I also hope that I can do more
> contributing and less lurking on this list, although I'm afraid
> my contributions will usually be more bibliographical than
> not...
>
> Hostigos in 2009!
You
had some wonderful "bibilographic contributions" that you shared with
those of us who gathered in Hostigos back in May. I don't recall if
these were shared with folks who weren't able to make the Muster or
not, but if not, I'm sure others here would be interested in hearing
about them.
David
--
"Mr. Scott, I suggest you refrain from any further subjective
descriptions." - Mr. Spock, _Star_Trek_, "That Which Survives"
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David Johnson
10-05-2008
15:36 UT
|
Folks,
Librivox has added _Space_Viking_ to their collection of audio works:
http://librivox.org/space-viking-by-h-beam-piper/
Enjoy,
David
--
"Our rulers are the barbarians among us. There isn't one of
them
. . . who is devoted to civilization or anything else outside
himself, and that's the mark of the barbarian." - Otto Harkaman (H.
Beam Piper), _Space_Viking_
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Gilmoure
10-05-2008
04:33 UT
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Hi Ya'll,
I'm just a Piper fan. Started reading back in '81 after guy in scout troop gave Little Fuzzy to read.
G
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Tom Rogers
10-05-2008
04:21 UT
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Hi Everyone:
Thanks, David, for putting this all together. I hope
it proves to be a great success. I also hope that I can do more
contributing and less lurking on this list, although I'm afraid my
contributions will usually be more bibliographical than not...
Hostigos in 2009!
Tom
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Gordon Johansen
10-05-2008
02:48 UT
|
While I've been on the previous list for about 7 years, I tend to lurk
more than contribute. The message count just gets too overwhealming
sometimes and I confess to mass deletions.
My only claim to fame
is owning The Sentry Box in Calgary, Alberta which has a large SF&F
selection (over 7000 titles). We carry John's books of course as well as
just about any other mass market SF&F in print plus lots of out of
print stuff that I refuse to return just on principle. The book section
was started as I needed a way to cut down my own book costs.
I
think my Piper reading started about 30 years ago with Lord Kalvan. I
tend to re-read at least a few of the books each year. They are what I
call comfort books; something I know I will enjoy when I want something
quick to read.
Gord
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David Johnson
10-05-2008
01:09 UT
|
Dennis,
> I live in Nyklos, just a couple of hours from Hostigos Town.
>
> Among many other duties, I'm the curator of the John F. Carr
> Collection at St. Bonaventure University:
Welcome!
> That site includes my Lord Kalvan web site:
>
> Both should be considered to be "in progress." (David, please
> note the new address for the Lord Kalvan site. The old one will
> be disappearing soon.)
I've updated the Zarthani.net links both to the Carr Collection and for your Lord Kalvan site:
http://www.zarthani.net/links.htm
> I'd like to encourage everyone to contribute to the H.Beam Piper
> gravestone replacement fund: As John and I have discovered,
> every other place in Pennsylvania that Piper inhabited is now a
> parking lot, and I'm concerned about his Paris residence(!). A
> new headstone describing his work is one thing we can do to
> preserve his memory in the community where he spent most of his
> life.
Hear, hear! The Memorial Fund site is here:
http://www.h-beampiper.com/
Down Styphon!
David
--
"Would
it have hurt us, I wonder, just to have gathered a few laurel
leaves?" - Captain Kirk, _Star_Trek_, "Who Mourns for Adonais?"
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djfrank
10-05-2008
00:48 UT
|
Hi All,
To (re)introduce myself:
I live in Nyklos, just a couple of hours from Hostigos Town.
Among many other duties, I'm the curator of the John F. Carr Collection at St. Bonaventure University: <http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/carr/index.html>;
That site includes my Lord Kalvan web site:
<http://web.sbu.edu/friedsam/archives/carr/...Kalvan_page.html>;
Both
should be considered to be "in progress." (David, please note the new
address for the Lord Kalvan site. The old one will be disappearing
soon.)
I'd like to encourage everyone to contribute to the H.Beam Piper gravestone replacement fund: <http://www.h-beampiper.com/>;
As John and I have discovered, every other place in Pennsylvania that
Piper inhabited is now a parking lot, and I'm concerned about his Paris
residence(!). A new headstone describing his work is one thing we can
do to preserve his memory in the community where he spent most of his
life.
Thanks, David, for taking on this job!
Dennis
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Fred Ramsey
10-04-2008
20:47 UT
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Nice work David.
Good luck.
Fred
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Jay P Hailey
10-04-2008
19:23 UT
|
Meow. Here it is.
|
David "PiperFan" Johnson 10-04-2008
18:32 UT
|
H. Beam Piper List is Reincarnated!Welcome to the
reincarnated H. Beam Piper mailing list and discussion forum. This new
tool for shared communication among Piper fans has all of the features
of the old PIPER-L e-mail list--including on-line archives--plus the
additional capabilities of a discussion forum. Membership in the new
list/forum, which will be moderated by me, is by invitation only.
Moderation will focus on keeping the discussion related to H. Beam Piper
in a broadly interpreted sense. Off-topic posts or ad hominem comments will be deleted with impunity and repeat offenders may be banned from posting to the list. The
current discussion tool, which is provided free of charge, will include
advertisements. We can upgrade the list/forum to ad-free status for a
$15 biannual fee. If you'd rather not see advertisements on the
list/forum please make a PayPal contribution to Zarthani.net using the
link at the bottom of the Web page here: http://www.zarthani.net/If
we receive enough contributions (~$50) we can even upgrade the
discussion forum to enable additional features like the posting of
images. All contributions through the PayPal link at Zarthani.net will
be used to fund the operation of the list/forum or the continued hosting
of the Zarthani.net Web site. If you're interested in joining
the new Piper list/forum simply send me an e-mail message at
<piperfan (at) zarthani (dot) net> and I will send you an
invitation to the new list/forum with easy instructions on how to join.
When you accept the invitation you can decide to subscribe to e-mail
posts from the list and/or to participate in the discussion forum
format. Thanks, David Johnson -- "And the
Volitionalists believe that everybody reincarnates as he pleases, and so
they favor continuance of the present system of private ownership of
wealth and private profit under a system of free competition." - Verkan
Vall, "Last Enemy" Edited 10-05-2008 00:33
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