The Misplaced Battleship
In a future where humanity has colonized other planets, the story follows a group of characters who are part of an interstellar expedition to explore and settle new worlds. The crew encounters various challenges and obstacles on their journey, including hostile alien species and internal conflicts within the human community. The novel explores themes of colonialism, imperialism, and the consequences of humanity's expansion into space. It also delves into the complexities of human relationships and the psychological effects of isolation and confinement in a vast, unforgiving environment. Throughout the book, Harrison critiques the notion of Manifest Destiny and the idea that humans have a divine right to colonize and dominate other planets. The novel presents a nuanced and thought-provoking portrayal of humanity's place in the universe, raising questions about our responsibilities towards other civilizations and the long-term consequences of our actions.
By Harry Harrison · First published 1960 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Crime · 13,236 words
First lines
_It might seem a little careless to lose track of something as big as a battleship. but interstellar space is on a different scale of magnitude. But a misplaced battleship -- in the wrong hands! -- can be most dangerous._
When it comes to picking locks and cracking safes I admit to no master. The door to Inskipp's private quarters had an old-fashioned tumbler drum that was easier to pick than my teeth. I must have gone through that door without breaking step. Quiet as I was though, Inskipp still heard me. The light came on and there he was sitting up in bed pointing a .75 caliber recoilless at my sternum.
What this Textopian page supports
The Misplaced Battleship is listed on Textopian as a novel by Harry Harrison, dated 1960 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Harry Harrison
- Date: 1960 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Crime, Humor, Thriller
- Length: 13,236 words
- Structure: 1 section, 247 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Misplaced Battleship by Harry Harrison
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Misplaced Battleship?
- How does this novel by Harry Harrison fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in a futuristic universe with interstellar travel, advanced technology, and space battleships, which are hallmarks of the science fiction genre.
- Adventure — The narrative follows a protagonist on a mission involving espionage, theft, and pursuit across space, typical of adventure stories.
- Crime — The plot revolves around the theft of a battleship and the protagonist's efforts to uncover and stop a criminal scheme, aligning with crime fiction themes.
- Humor — The protagonist's witty dialogue and the absurdity of certain situations add a comedic element to the story.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Humor · Satire · Adventure · Action · Pulp Fiction · Vintage Science Fiction · Classic Science Fiction · Military Science Fiction · Alternate History · Time Travel