Galactic Patrol (Lensman Series)
E.E. 'Doc' Smith · 1937 · Novel
It established many foundational tropes of space opera, including galactic empires, multi-species federations, and epic cosmic warfare on a grand scale.
What it is
The third novel in the Lensman series, it solidifies the concept of a galactic civilization policed by the heroic Lensmen, who wield powerful mental abilities and advanced technology to combat interstellar threats. It details vast space battles, alien species, and the ongoing struggle between good and evil across the galaxy.
↓Passed on to(2)
Its depiction of a vast galactic civilization and the rise of an interstellar empire heavily influenced Asimov's conceptualization of the Foundation's universe.
The epic good-vs-evil narrative, powerful 'chosen' individuals, and large-scale space battles are reminiscent of the Lensman series.