First Lensman cover art

First Lensman

Lensman Series

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £13.99

Buy Now for £13.99

About this listen

 In the not-too-distant future, while fleets of commercial space ships travel between the planets of numerous solar systems, a traveler named Virgil Samms visits the planet Arisia. There, he becomes the first wearer of the Lens, the almost-living symbol of the forces of law and order. As the first Lensman, Samms helps to form the Galactic Patrol, a battalion of Lensmen who are larger-than-life heroes. These soldiers are the best of the best, with incredible skill, stealth, and drive. They are dedicated and incorruptible fighters who are willing to die to protect the universe from the most horrific threat it has ever known.Hi-fi sci-fi: listen to more in the Lensman series.©2006 Books in Motion. This recording is produced by arrangement with The Estate of E. E. "Doc" Smith and Virginia Kidd, Inc. (P)2006 Books in Motion. This recording is produced by arrangement with The Estate of E. E. "Doc" Smith and Virginia Kidd, Inc. Adventure Science Fiction Space Opera

Critic reviews

"The most towering figure in science fiction, thanks to the enormous scope of his novels." (Isaac Asimov)
"If you wish to understand the roots of modern science fiction, you have to read the Lensman saga." (Allen Steele)
"A finalist for a special Hugo Award for All-Time Best Series, 'Lensman' is considered by many sf heads to be the greatest of the space operas and clearly a source for such successors as Star Trek and Star Wars." ( Library Journal)
All stars
Most relevant
loved it ,excellent narrator great service series. on to remaing audible books Haven't enjoyed sfx audio as much!

awesome

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I can understand how G Lucas got most of the idea for Star Wars from these books. Brilliant 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐️

A fantastic book two.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Listening on 1.25 speed helps, but the airy-fairy floaty mental voices are beyond redemption. Someone must have told him the books are a space opera, because he started giving opera-like intonation to the aliens. It was tentative at first, then he got carried away and actually started singing and really enjoying himself. It was at this point that I was faced with a dilemma. Should I put up with the narration for the sake of the story, or return the book and end my suffering? My fifty year devotion to the Lensmen won. Laughing at the narration works for me for now, but some parts of this story are very dark and I am not looking forward to his attempts at those.

The narrator's not getting any better

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I read this book 30+ years ago and the narrator has dramatised this in a way that take's you to the action.

Brilliantly read and an invigorating narrative.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As book 2 of the Lensman series it is an essential part of the overall story. It is an elegantly conceived tale with a plausible scientific background, that suffers little by virtue of how long ago it was written. It has been very well read with good characterisation of different individuals, and moves at sufficient pace to hold one’s attention whilst providing adequate scientific explanation.

Great story well told

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews