He was sent into orbit to assemble the machine that would save what was left of civilization—but finishing the job may mean never coming home. With his oxygen running thin and the world turning silently below him, one decision will decide who controls humanity’s future. A Long Way Back by Ben Bova. That’s next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast.
Before he became one of the most respected names in modern hard science fiction, Ben Bova was a kid growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born November 8, 1932, discovering the future one pulp magazine at a time.
Like many writers of his generation, Bova fell in love with science fiction as a reader first. That early fascination stayed with him. He studied journalism at Temple University, served in the U.S. Army, and eventually stepped into publishing — not just as a writer, but as an editor who would help shape the direction of the field itself.
Ben Bova wrote more than 100 short stories and more than 20 novels. He didn’t write about magical futures. He wrote about futures we could build.
But before his reputation as a novelist took off, he became one of the most influential editors in science fiction history.
In 1972, he succeeded John W. Campbell as editor of Analog Science Fiction and Fact — a monumental moment in the genre. Under Bova’s leadership, Analog continued its tradition of serious, science-based storytelling. For his editorial work, he won the Hugo Award for Best Professional Editor six consecutive times, from 1973 through 1978.
Bova also served as President of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
Today’s story was his very first science fiction short story — the beginning of a career that would span decades and help define modern hard science fiction.
From Amazing Science Fiction Stories in February 1960 our story begins on page 6, A Long Way Back by Ben Bova…
Next on The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast, An automated giant is crippled in space, and the only man who can save it swore he would never touch a liner again. To keep hundreds alive, Pop Gillette must prove that instinct still outruns machinery. Patch by William Shedenhelm.
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