The Book of Ptath
Encyclopedia
The Book of Ptath is a science fiction
novel by author A. E. van Vogt
. It was first published in book form in 1947
by Fantasy Press
in an edition of 3,021 copies. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine Unknown
in October 1943. The book has also appeared under the titles Two Hundred Million A.D. and Ptath.
ranked The Book of Ptath as van Vogt's "single best novel" and tried to convince him to write a sequel. R. D. Mullen, however, dismissed the novel, saying he saw no reason to include it in an SF library.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by author A. E. van Vogt
A. E. van Vogt
Alfred Elton van Vogt was a Canadian-born science fiction author regarded by some as one of the most popular and complex science fiction writers of the mid-twentieth century: the "Golden Age" of the genre....
. It was first published in book form in 1947
1947 in literature
The year 1947 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*The Diary of Anne Frank is published for the first time.*Jack Kerouac makes the journey which he will later chronicle in his book On the Road....
by Fantasy Press
Fantasy Press
Fantasy Press was an American publishing house specialising in fantasy and science fiction titles. Established in 1946 by Lloyd Arthur Eshbach in Reading, Pennsylvania, it was most notable for publishing the works of authors such as Robert A. Heinlein and E. E. Smith...
in an edition of 3,021 copies. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine Unknown
Unknown (magazine)
Unknown was an American pulp fantasy fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1943 by Street & Smith, and edited by John W. Campbell. Unknown was a companion to Street & Smith's science fiction pulp, Astounding Science Fiction, which was also edited by Campbell at the time; many authors and...
in October 1943. The book has also appeared under the titles Two Hundred Million A.D. and Ptath.
Plot introduction
The novel concerns a tank-battle casualty reincarnated as a dispossessed god-figure who struggles against one of his two consorts to re-establish his dominion in the far future Gondwanaland.Reception
Lin CarterLin Carter
Linwood Vrooman Carter was an American author of science fiction and fantasy, as well as an editor and critic. He usually wrote as Lin Carter; known pseudonyms include H. P. Lowcraft and Grail Undwin.-Life:Carter was born in St. Petersburg, Florida...
ranked The Book of Ptath as van Vogt's "single best novel" and tried to convince him to write a sequel. R. D. Mullen, however, dismissed the novel, saying he saw no reason to include it in an SF library.