Victor Appleton

In the exciting twentieth adventure of this new series, Tom Swift finds a pleasant day test sailing a new yacht is turning into an attack from the sky. Out of nowhere a lightning bolt strikes his boat and sucks all power from everywhere. Not a freak incident, it seems to be more of a warning of things to come when a large power generating station along the East Coast is attacked next, with the same loss of electricity as if it had been siphoned back into the sky. This time, there is a great deal of damage and a near death.More and more power stations are targeted and now Tom must try to find out several vital things: Who is attacking? Why are they invisible and how do they manage that? What is their purpose in zig-zagging up and down the country hitting station after station?Not only is he broadsided by these attack, he also finds out there is another Tom Swift out there; or rather a Tommy Swift. Together they work to uncover the evil attackers Bud Barclay has dubbed the Electricity Vampires.As the attacks go on and Tom gets no closer to uncovering them, it seems there is a final target in mind, and if they get there, it could be devastating

"That's the way to do it Whoop her up, Andy Shove the spark lever over, and turn on more gasolene We'll make a record this trip." Two lads in the tonneau of a touring car, that was whirling along a country road, leaned forward to speak to the one at the steering wheel. The latter was a red-haired youth, with somewhat squinty eyes, and not a very pleasant face, but his companions seemed to regard him with much favor. Perhaps it was because they were riding in his automobile. "Whoop her up, Andy " added the lad on the seat beside the driver. "This is immense " "I rather thought you'd like it," remarked Andy Foger, as he turned the car to avoid a stone in the road. "I'll make things hum around Shopton " "You have made them hum already, Andy," commented the lad beside him. "My ears are ringing. Wow There goes my cap " As the boy spoke, the breeze, created by the speed at which the car was traveling, lifted off his cap, and sent it whirling to the rear. Andy Foger turned for an instant's glance behind. Then he opened the throttle still wider, and exclaimed: "Let it go, Sam. We can get another. I want to see what time I can make to Mansburg I want to break a record, if I can." "Look out, or you'll break something else " cried a lad on the rear seat. "There's a fellow on a bicycle just ahead of us. Take care, Andy "

The fourth collection of invention stories involving Damon Swift, father to young inventor Tom Swift. As before, these are separate from any Tom Swift novels.Damon begins this book with a problem. The state-sponsored space program in India has been suffering disaster after disaster. And, rather than learn from it, they keep repeating launches hoping for the best. He wrangles an invitation to come observe and sees immediately that they have a problem with sabotage. But, will they accept his suggestions... and what about the elephant?Story two has Damon back in Australia. Even though politicians and ranchers have a major problem with wild livestock, they DO NOT WANT an outsider coming in telling them how to fix the problem. So much so that Damon is kidnapped and left to die. All this over a little robotic assistance he has in mind.Story three has him returning to NASA to assist in a probe project. But as more and more of the other contractors step away citing costs, timing and other reasons, he is getting into a position where he may need to also quit because of a no-compete clause he has with the U.S. Government. The real issue is that he and Enterprises can do it better, cheaper and faster if they are allowed to go it alone.To round things out, a shot bonus story is included concerning a mysteriously-growing island north of Hawaii and who might be behind it

For every Tom Swift novel there are at least one or two inventions that just seem to be "there" as if they always existed. Or, they are important but they don't really get described as to how they came into being or how they function. This book, like the other five in this series, aim to fix that.The ten stories in this collection are individually shorter than previous novellas, but they don't need to be lengthy. These are about 6,000 words each and can easily be read in a single sitting (or reclining.) The book includes: The Big Wheel - Tom designs and builds a fast monocycleFrom Toad to Pigeon - It is time to update the Pigeon aircraft, and Tom is being asked to come up with the new designThe Little Black Bag of Medical Tools - Doc Simpson addresses the AMA and tells them about the nifty tools Tom has created for himThe Pocket Drone - A chance letter gets the inventor working on a new type of drone that can save livesThe Mechanical Arm - An employee loses an arm in an accident, and Tom is determined to replace it with the best prostheses he can buildThe Wasp - The U.S. Navy needs a tiny helicopter and Tom believes he has just the thing, assuming he can prove something never tried can work The Incredible Pen and Pencil - To Swift always has his pen radio and pencil soldering iron in his shirt pocket, but why did he make them and how?The Other Great Polymer - Tomasite is amazing but too expensive, so when Tom is building the Sky Queen he needs a new, strong polymerThe Kangaroo Kub - There is to be a midget jet carried in the Sky Queen, but can Tom design one that will land inside a moving hangar?The Repelatron - It had to come from somewhere and this is the story of how Tom came up with the very first concept, and it was years before he used it for a spaceship

In novel 18 of this series, Tom Swift gets the call to put his inventive brains to work for Hollywood. A producer for one of the studios wants to resurrect the old movie series that featured a hero using a flying rocket pack. But, when Tom convinces him that roaring flames and something looking like a pair of fire extinguishers isn't going to work, he agrees to set his serial in the near future. That just leaves Tom with the task of creating a wearable, flyable backpack that can fly for a half hour at a time, be absolutely safe for the stunt man to pilot, and look really incredible.Forces are at work to steal such a technology from both Tom and another company in California that tried making something like it a year earlier. And, it turns out to be an old enemy of the Swifts behind it all.Now, with pressure put on him by the US Government and constant nagging requests to get the backpack delivered to the movie set, Tom must satisfy many people, keep the plans and actual device safe, and still get his and Bud's wife out to Hollywood to meet some stars.

Book 16 in this new series sees the young inventor presented with a problem that may or may not happen in a locale so far away it could be meaningless.Or, it could turn deadly Haley's Comet is swinging back in for its next appearance, only this time it will pass very close to a newly identified planet far outside the orbit of Pluto. Eris is larger than Pluto and even possesses a small moon. So, with the possibility that Eris could influence Haley's trajectory, and if it goes one way it will come too close to the Earth on its pass in a few years, Tom must find a way to get out that far, and fairly quickly.His solution. Simple. Harness a black hole, ride it out past the edge of the solar system and see what happens.Only themission becomes much more diffecult when Haley's smashes into Eris and the planet begins to break up.Now, there will be far more potential deadly pieces of the former planet to deal with unless Tom and his crew can find a way to rebuild it.

In this fifth collection of invention novellas and short stories: TOM SWIFT AND HIS EXCEPTIONAL BATTERYWhen a valued employee has an opportunity to create a new and lifesaving device for use on the battlefield, Tom agrees to create an entirely new type of battery for it. TOM SWIFT AND HIS MULTICORDERThere are just too darned many things for the young inventor to keep hauling around for those times he needs some special devices, so he sets about coming up with an all-in-one unit based on a popular old TV show. TOM SWIFT AND HIS POLYMORPHIC GLIDERAfter rescuing a glider pilot it turns out that the father is a very wealthy man who wants Tom to do the impossible, make him an air glider that can fly like a bird, flapping wings and standing starts included.TOM SWIFT TAKES OFFA Young Tom Swift story. Nearly 13, Tom dreams of the day he can fly, but now thinks he can start with a rocket. First, though, he must build a viable solid rocket motor using the things he can find in the late 1940s.TOM SWIFT AND THE MODEL ROCKET MOTORThe son of a friend has become fascinated with model rocketry, something Tom can relate to. When the boy tries to make his own rocket motor, and is seriously injured, Tom decides to come up with a formula that is safe and powerful. An alternate look at Tom Swift creating a solid propellant.This is a shorter, bonus story.

Tom Swift is the main character of five series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology. First published in 1910, the series total more than 100 volumes. The character was created by Edward Stratemeyer, the founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging firm. Tom's adventures have been written by various ghostwriters, beginning with Howard Garis. Most of the books are credited to the collective pseudonym "Victor Appleton". The 33 volumes of the second series use the pseudonym Victor Appleton II for the author. For this series, and some of the later series, the main character is "Tom Swift, Jr." New titles have been published as recently as 2007. Most of the various series emphasized Tom's inventions. The books generally describe the effects of science and technology as wholly beneficial, and the role of the inventor in society as admirable and heroic. Translated into many languages, the books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Tom Swift has also been the subject of a board game and a television series. Several famous people, including Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, have cited "Tom Swift" as an inspiration. Several inventions, including the Taser, have been inspired allegedly by Swift's fictional inventions. "TASER" is said to be an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle."

Tom Swift is the main character of five series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology. First published in 1910, the series total more than 100 volumes. The character was created by Edward Stratemeyer, the founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging firm. Tom's adventures have been written by various ghostwriters, beginning with Howard Garis. Most of the books are credited to the collective pseudonym "Victor Appleton". The 33 volumes of the second series use the pseudonym Victor Appleton II for the author. For this series, and some of the later series, the main character is "Tom Swift, Jr." New titles have been published as recently as 2007. Most of the various series emphasized Tom's inventions. The books generally describe the effects of science and technology as wholly beneficial, and the role of the inventor in society as admirable and heroic. Translated into many languages, the books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Tom Swift has also been the subject of a board game and a television series. Several famous people, including Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, have cited "Tom Swift" as an inspiration. Several inventions, including the Taser, have been inspired allegedly by Swift's fictional inventions. "TASER" is said to be an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle."

Tom Swift is the main character of five series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology. First published in 1910, the series total more than 100 volumes. The character was created by Edward Stratemeyer, the founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging firm. Tom's adventures have been written by various ghostwriters, beginning with Howard Garis. Most of the books are credited to the collective pseudonym "Victor Appleton". The 33 volumes of the second series use the pseudonym Victor Appleton II for the author. For this series, and some of the later series, the main character is "Tom Swift, Jr." New titles have been published as recently as 2007. Most of the various series emphasized Tom's inventions. The books generally describe the effects of science and technology as wholly beneficial, and the role of the inventor in society as admirable and heroic. Translated into many languages, the books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Tom Swift has also been the subject of a board game and a television series. Several famous people, including Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, have cited "Tom Swift" as an inspiration. Several inventions, including the Taser, have been inspired allegedly by Swift's fictional inventions. "TASER" is said to be an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle."

Tom Swift is the main character of five series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology. First published in 1910, the series total more than 100 volumes. The character was created by Edward Stratemeyer, the founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging firm. Tom's adventures have been written by various ghostwriters, beginning with Howard Garis. Most of the books are credited to the collective pseudonym "Victor Appleton". The 33 volumes of the second series use the pseudonym Victor Appleton II for the author. For this series, and some of the later series, the main character is "Tom Swift, Jr." New titles have been published as recently as 2007. Most of the various series emphasized Tom's inventions. The books generally describe the effects of science and technology as wholly beneficial, and the role of the inventor in society as admirable and heroic. Translated into many languages, the books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Tom Swift has also been the subject of a board game and a television series. Several famous people, including Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, have cited "Tom Swift" as an inspiration. Several inventions, including the Taser, have been inspired allegedly by Swift's fictional inventions. "TASER" is said to be an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle."

Tom Swift is the main character of five series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology. First published in 1910, the series total more than 100 volumes. The character was created by Edward Stratemeyer, the founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging firm. Tom's adventures have been written by various ghostwriters, beginning with Howard Garis. Most of the books are credited to the collective pseudonym "Victor Appleton". The 33 volumes of the second series use the pseudonym Victor Appleton II for the author. For this series, and some of the later series, the main character is "Tom Swift, Jr." New titles have been published as recently as 2007. Most of the various series emphasized Tom's inventions. The books generally describe the effects of science and technology as wholly beneficial, and the role of the inventor in society as admirable and heroic. Translated into many languages, the books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Tom Swift has also been the subject of a board game and a television series. Several famous people, including Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, have cited "Tom Swift" as an inspiration. Several inventions, including the Taser, have been inspired allegedly by Swift's fictional inventions. "TASER" is said to be an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle."

Tom Swift is the main character of five series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology. First published in 1910, the series total more than 100 volumes. The character was created by Edward Stratemeyer, the founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging firm. Tom's adventures have been written by various ghostwriters, beginning with Howard Garis. Most of the books are credited to the collective pseudonym "Victor Appleton". The 33 volumes of the second series use the pseudonym Victor Appleton II for the author. For this series, and some of the later series, the main character is "Tom Swift, Jr." New titles have been published as recently as 2007. Most of the various series emphasized Tom's inventions. The books generally describe the effects of science and technology as wholly beneficial, and the role of the inventor in society as admirable and heroic. Translated into many languages, the books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Tom Swift has also been the subject of a board game and a television series. Several famous people, including Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, have cited "Tom Swift" as an inspiration. Several inventions, including the Taser, have been inspired allegedly by Swift's fictional inventions. "TASER" is said to be an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle."

Tom Swift is the main character of five series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology. First published in 1910, the series total more than 100 volumes. The character was created by Edward Stratemeyer, the founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate, a book-packaging firm. Tom's adventures have been written by various ghostwriters, beginning with Howard Garis. Most of the books are credited to the collective pseudonym "Victor Appleton". The 33 volumes of the second series use the pseudonym Victor Appleton II for the author. For this series, and some of the later series, the main character is "Tom Swift, Jr." New titles have been published as recently as 2007. Most of the various series emphasized Tom's inventions. The books generally describe the effects of science and technology as wholly beneficial, and the role of the inventor in society as admirable and heroic. Translated into many languages, the books have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Tom Swift has also been the subject of a board game and a television series. Several famous people, including Steve Wozniak and Isaac Asimov, have cited "Tom Swift" as an inspiration. Several inventions, including the Taser, have been inspired allegedly by Swift's fictional inventions. "TASER" is said to be an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle."