Readings from The Sentimental Mechanic

"The Pork Chop Tree" is a glimpse into James H. Schmitz's universe of The Hub, apparently with recurring characters featured in other stories. In this short, Trigger and Prof. Mantelish discover the dangers of a relationship between a plant and the humans it loves. This is, perhaps coincidentally, an alternate take on Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree." Both were firs...

"Greenface" is a monster story that takes place on a rustic resort camp. I'm reading this from a 1973 paperback, "A Pride of Monsters," published by Collier Books (Hardcover by MacMillan, 1970; both versions copyright 1970 by James H. Schmitz). The book compiles five monster stories written by James H. Schmitz. If you can't see the cover art on your podcast app, look it...

In this final chapter, Doctor Hudson states his decision before the court. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

After the grand jury reaches its verdict, Doctor Hudson considers his options. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

On the final day of the trial, Doctor Hudson's most damning actions come to light. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

In which our hero channels John Stuart Mill and utilitarianism to justify how he used advanced alien weapons technology to wage war and become ruler of the world. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero offers them the Earth. The whole thing. Literally.  This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

An unlikely ally gives our hero a powerful hint. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero wakes up to a visitor, but we get nowhere and it's impossible to tell who's talking. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

In which our hero finally penetrates the computer at the trial. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

In which we learn an absurd fact: the alien language of the Htare is a simple letter-by-letter transcription of English that someone could completely figure out in mere days. Also featured: A bad lawyer joke. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

I got lost in this one. I don't understand what point anyone is trying to make by the end of it. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero compares himself to the Greek god Tantalus as he prepares for his next day in court. We also hear a reference to Area 51 and the UFO craze of the ‘60s. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

In court, our hero defends his previous actions under the guise of having gone feral. In his memories, our hero finds a wrecked spaceship of unsurprising origin — and he kills again. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero finds out about when he went feral, attempted sexual assault, and did a murder. Also featured: an alien spaceship, and sentences that are incredibly difficult to parse. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

The prosecutor sets a little trap and acts all smug. Our hero takes the L and waits for the coming reveal of more memories. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero reflects on the beginning of his intergalactic trial for war crimes. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Now with musical transitions and a blooper reel! Our hero's (or author's) respect for women begins to approach redemption, but not cleanly. I do suspect it was a progressive view, in its time. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

This begins Part II. Our hero is accused of using women to advance his own interests. A defense comes from a surprising party. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero displays arrogance before an intergalactic court. This concludes Part 1 of the novel. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our indignant hero knows nothing, but still challenges an intergalactic tribunal. Also: A computer might judge. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero might be just as emotionless as the alien robot race that has imprisoned him. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

Our hero learns his stupid name, plus alien robot sex. This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.

I would like to point out that the alien planet is spelled Htare, an anagram of "Earth." This is a reading of The Stars Will Judge, by Irving A. Greenfield. Copyright 1974. Originally published by Dell Publishing.