Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Sometimes I like to read YA fiction as an enjoyable breather from the heavier books I normally read. I just finished reading Tom Swift and the Visitor from Planet X (book # 17). It was published in 1961 and offers a fascinating view of life back then. I was especially impressed by the amount of technology they had back then, which we seemed to have lost.
For example, Tom Swift Jr., and his father get up in the morning to a healthy breakfast prepared by Mrs. Swift. In fact, this seems to be Mrs. Swift's primary role in life, preparing hot delicious meals for the men. Of course, I'm sure she worries about the numerous attempts on their lives by criminals and foreign terrorists, but that doesn't stop her from preparing their meals. I was especially impressed she always gave Tom milk to drink. None of that-rot-your-teeth soda for her boy!
In this book, Tom and his father are preparing for the visit of an energy life-force from the Planet X. They need a container to house the life force. As usual, Tom just sits down and does some sketches for the container, insuring it uses some of his patented Repelatron metal to allow it to move about. After an hour or so, he has the design completed and sends it to the Swift factory to be built. Wow, is this boy a genius or what! And he is only 18 years old.
Sometimes Bud, Tom's best friend helps out, if only with encouraging words. Now, don't get their relationship wrong. Tom and Bud have girlfriends. Sandy, Tom's 17-year-old sister, is Bud's eye candy, and Tom seems to have a thing going with Phyllis, a friend of Sandy's. In any case, the role of the girls is quite appropriate. They exist to badger Tom and Bud to take them out on dates, pack healthy (once again milk but no soda) but delicious picnic baskets and to get into danger due to terrorists' attempts on Tom's life.
For example, although Tom was really quite busy saving the world in this book, he and Bud found the time to take Sandy and Phyllis on a boating trip. They went down to the nearby lake where the Swift's 30-foot ketch was located. Unfortunately, a 30-foot tidal wave, something you don't see on every lake, capsized the boat. Sandy was knocked out, but Bud saved her.
Meanwhile, where is Mr. Swift? Well, after a delicious and healthy breakfast, Mr. Swift usually takes the Ultrasonic Cycloplane (book # 10) to the island where the Swift Rocket Ship (book # 3) is located. From there. Mr. Swift heads into space to work on the Swift Space Station (book # 6). However, he always returns home in plenty of time to eat a delicious, but healthy, supper prepared by Mrs. Swift.
Here in the 21st century, we think we have excellent communications. I hate to disappoint you, but that isn't so. Back in the 1960s, if the Swifts wanted to communicate with aliens who live on far off Planet X, all it takes is seconds. Maybe that was due to the Swift Space Solartron (book # 15). But I haven't read that book, so I'm not sure.
But I was more impressed with Tom' ability to pick up the phone to call the CIA, FBI and important government officials and be connected within seconds. I was even more impressed with the fawning attitude these people displayed toward Tom. I think this may be due to the Swift Atomic Earth Blaster (book # 5) which the Swifts control. But it may also possibly be due to the enormous amounts the Swifts donate as campaign contributions to various politicians, from the vast revenues they make from their inventions.
I have to admit being a little concerned when I couldn't find Brungaria on any of the maps in my house. This is an important country in that it seems to spend most of its Gross National Product trying to destroy whatever project Mr. Swift and Tom Swift Jr., are working on. However, it is mentioned on the Tom Swift Wikipedia page, so I'm assuming Brungaria is a alias used to represent Canada, a country we know today is still trying to destroy us. :-)
Well, I could go on, but I'll end here. Except to state I really enjoyed reading about a period in our country's past when men and boys accomplished the impossible and women and girls knew their place. :-)
Now, if we could only discover Tom's original plans for the Quakelizor, the people of California would be forever grateful.
For example, Tom Swift Jr., and his father get up in the morning to a healthy breakfast prepared by Mrs. Swift. In fact, this seems to be Mrs. Swift's primary role in life, preparing hot delicious meals for the men. Of course, I'm sure she worries about the numerous attempts on their lives by criminals and foreign terrorists, but that doesn't stop her from preparing their meals. I was especially impressed she always gave Tom milk to drink. None of that-rot-your-teeth soda for her boy!
In this book, Tom and his father are preparing for the visit of an energy life-force from the Planet X. They need a container to house the life force. As usual, Tom just sits down and does some sketches for the container, insuring it uses some of his patented Repelatron metal to allow it to move about. After an hour or so, he has the design completed and sends it to the Swift factory to be built. Wow, is this boy a genius or what! And he is only 18 years old.
Sometimes Bud, Tom's best friend helps out, if only with encouraging words. Now, don't get their relationship wrong. Tom and Bud have girlfriends. Sandy, Tom's 17-year-old sister, is Bud's eye candy, and Tom seems to have a thing going with Phyllis, a friend of Sandy's. In any case, the role of the girls is quite appropriate. They exist to badger Tom and Bud to take them out on dates, pack healthy (once again milk but no soda) but delicious picnic baskets and to get into danger due to terrorists' attempts on Tom's life.
For example, although Tom was really quite busy saving the world in this book, he and Bud found the time to take Sandy and Phyllis on a boating trip. They went down to the nearby lake where the Swift's 30-foot ketch was located. Unfortunately, a 30-foot tidal wave, something you don't see on every lake, capsized the boat. Sandy was knocked out, but Bud saved her.
Meanwhile, where is Mr. Swift? Well, after a delicious and healthy breakfast, Mr. Swift usually takes the Ultrasonic Cycloplane (book # 10) to the island where the Swift Rocket Ship (book # 3) is located. From there. Mr. Swift heads into space to work on the Swift Space Station (book # 6). However, he always returns home in plenty of time to eat a delicious, but healthy, supper prepared by Mrs. Swift.
Here in the 21st century, we think we have excellent communications. I hate to disappoint you, but that isn't so. Back in the 1960s, if the Swifts wanted to communicate with aliens who live on far off Planet X, all it takes is seconds. Maybe that was due to the Swift Space Solartron (book # 15). But I haven't read that book, so I'm not sure.
But I was more impressed with Tom' ability to pick up the phone to call the CIA, FBI and important government officials and be connected within seconds. I was even more impressed with the fawning attitude these people displayed toward Tom. I think this may be due to the Swift Atomic Earth Blaster (book # 5) which the Swifts control. But it may also possibly be due to the enormous amounts the Swifts donate as campaign contributions to various politicians, from the vast revenues they make from their inventions.
I have to admit being a little concerned when I couldn't find Brungaria on any of the maps in my house. This is an important country in that it seems to spend most of its Gross National Product trying to destroy whatever project Mr. Swift and Tom Swift Jr., are working on. However, it is mentioned on the Tom Swift Wikipedia page, so I'm assuming Brungaria is a alias used to represent Canada, a country we know today is still trying to destroy us. :-)
Well, I could go on, but I'll end here. Except to state I really enjoyed reading about a period in our country's past when men and boys accomplished the impossible and women and girls knew their place. :-)
Now, if we could only discover Tom's original plans for the Quakelizor, the people of California would be forever grateful.
