A Pail of Air (Post-Apocalypse, SF Audiobook) by Fritz Leiber

[@TeganDowling]

My mother gave me this to read when I was about 12, which would have been in 1969. I recall it as my first adult novel, and certainly my first science fiction -- which I think was her intent, that I would get turned on to reading in general and science fiction in general, by reading this and some others that she suggested. I was definitely hooked, and thereafter worked my way across the paperbacks at the top of my parents' wall of books, where the sci fi was kept.

[@chrisbudesa]

Pass it on.

[@patmac1134]

I was always a reader, but other than "required" reading given as schoolwork (The Time Machine, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), I was more into sports and Hardy Boys type books. My Grandfather (born in Ireland) gave me a book in the series he was reading (The John Carter series) and I was hooked. A whole new world was opened up to me. I generally read one or two books a week (used to read a lot more, eyesight ain't what it used to be- I'm 6 years older than you). I was turned onto Fritz Leiber by L. Sprague de Camp, who I met at the Office of Pocket Books trying to get the latest Conan book that wasn't quite released yet. He was very nice to a kid (16) and asked me what Authors I read. He suggested Leiber & Murray Leinster.

[@TheGiantRobot]

I've loved this story since I was a kid. I never noticed this was Fritz Leiber. How cool.

[@jackbooth8151]

a brilliant reading! been dying to hear this since I heard about it

[@steveqhanson6835]

Wow! Thanks for this. I recall reading this when I was a kid back in the 70's Very cool.

[@marinangelov]

They should make this story into a movie.

[@cinakakar197]

The kind of movies they make nowadays they probably will ruin the story

[@butcherybutcher8868]

@@cinakakar197 still true 8 months later!

[@lelagrangeeffectphysics4120]

@@butcherybutcher8868 Cant wait for them to shoehorn in politics like "the reps did it" or it was x groups fault and how selfish y group is

[@carlsonbench1827]

It’s not about selling burger. It’s not about selling movie tickets. It’s not incompetence.

[@nouvellelune8699]

@@butcherybutcher8868 Also still true 5 months later!

[@stephencharman9604]

Excellent story and well read

[@judy8809]

This reader is great...the reader makes or breaks any story.

[@Fortress333]

Excellent story. I just read it myself again for the second time (at least the second time). Yesterday, I read Coming Attraction by Fritz Leiber and his The Man Who Never Grew Young, also excellent stories. Good reading, BTW.

[@rahvavaenlane]

Captivating. And pretty amazing for 1951.

[@ResinRat2]

Thanks for this. I enjoyed it very much.👍👍

[@SuspenseESCAPEremastered]

A great audio drama by X minus one, too.

[@almack8672]

i agree. the x minus one episode is my favorite episode of all old time radio

[@momkatmax]

Thanks! I was trying to remember the title of the story and found this accidentally in a search for audio books.

[@frederickwise5238]

Even back in 1951 they were beginning to talk about a binary to our sun. Shades of nemesis.

[@patmac1134]

Try reading A Pail Of Air

[@RedcoatsReturn]

The dark star was an early mention of a black hole! Great imagination entwined with very human behavior and dialogue which makes Fritz Lieber. stories come to life so vividly! 🤓

[@frederickwise5238]

IMO, more likely, an early reference to the "suspected" brown dwarf, binary star, now called "nemesis". ???

[@wesleyrodgers886]

Well enjoyed. Thankyou. :)

[@wambutu7679]

I read this so long ago. 🙂 It was fascinating then as it still is today.

[@thoughtfulsoul3402]

I understand it would take time but this seems to be agenerally pretty good book so Ithink you should read it out loud so that it sounds like you know and actualy person but also so that you get to enjoy it yourself

[@wangarooi]

This is a great story

[@madelief5971]

Nice story

[@torIIgo]

Vsauce is why I'm here.

[@Leon9000130]

Had to cringe a little @24:00 when the boy was talking about carrying on and having children! I'll assume he hadn't had the talk yet!

[@jayfredrickson8632]

That's the father's words, and he did go on, and did have children.

[@HailAzathoth]

lol that was the dad bro

[@knowone3529]

27

[@bertpineapple3738]

well I blubbed

[@only1utdanditsleeds]

Great escapism story. Wonderfully descriptive. Do you think The Big Jerk was a foretelling of Trump??

[@Civilized-Joke]

No, this short story doesn't address political themes.

[@HailAzathoth]

escapism?

[@blackholeentry3489]

Be careful...Rump's gonna run again! When Trump was first running, I had a custom bumper sticker made....... "Elect Rump....Put a Real ASS in the Whitehouse" I caught SO many people taking photos of it. Once went to a roadside flea market, where I could see my car from a distance and there was litterally a 'gathering' behind my car taking photos.

[@dankyjoker]

@@blackholeentry3489 and everyone clapped

[@HailAzathoth]

Wait, they're breathing pure O2 around an open fire? Do they mean in their suits?

[@duckmeat4674]

Likely just an oversight