The Machine That Saved The World, Murray Leinster
The Machine That Saved The World, Murray Leinster
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The Machine That Saved The World

Author: Murray Leinster

Narrator: Alex Freeman

Unabridged: 1 hr 32 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/14/2025

Categories: Fiction, Science Fiction

Synopsis

A chilling classic of mid-century science fiction, The Machine That Saved the World by Murray Leinster explores the terrifying consequences of messages sent across time. When mysterious broadcasts hijack communication systems around the globe, military and scientific authorities are plunged into panic. Sergeant Bellews, a technician tasked with maintaining advanced experimental machines, finds himself at the center of an unfolding crisis involving intertemporal signals, biological catastrophe, and deceptive intelligence from an unknown future source. As warnings of a civilization-ending bacterial mutation emerge, the line between salvation and annihilation blurs. Tense, cerebral, and uncannily prescient, this novella examines the ethics of advanced technology, the dangers of misunderstood knowledge, and humanity’s vulnerability when the future reaches back to rewrite the present. Essential reading for fans of classic science fiction, technological thrillers, and speculative tales of time and consequence.

About Murray Leinster

Murray Leinster (1896–1975) was a pen name of William Fitzgerald Jenkins, an award-winning American writer of science fiction and alternate history. He wrote and published over fifteen hundred short stories and articles, fourteen movie scripts, and hundreds of radio scripts and television plays. His first science fiction story, “The Runaway Skyscraper,” appeared in the February 22, 1919 issue of Argosy, and he won a Hugo Award for his 1956 story “Exploration Team.” He was also an inventor, best known for the front-projection process used in special effects. In Virginia, June 27, 2009, was named Will F. Jenkins Day in honor of his achievements in science fiction.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jim on March 06, 2018

Funny, but repetitive. I liked the digs at the 'big brains in Washington' & the Sargent was a fun character. The overblown, anthropomorphized machines were fun, too. If it hadn't been so repetitive, I would have rated it with another star.......more

Goodreads review by Manuel on January 25, 2026

ENGLISH: This is the first time I've read this short novel, one of the few sci-fi books by Leinster that I had not read. Being a Leinster's story, we know who are the evil guys since the beginning, but I think the solution to escape the threat is too drastic, por eso sólo le doy 2 estrellas. The stor......more

Goodreads review by Luke on September 05, 2021

Charming old school sci fi with an interesting premise and satisfying conclusion. Other reviewers have commented on the repititive elements of the story. Ignore them, the repetition is purposeful and forms a core element of the world building.......more

Goodreads review by DOUGLAS J BERRY on March 20, 2020

A sci fi short The mahon machine s that are heuristic without being a computer was something Fritz leiber played around with. The idea that machines can develop a sort of animus is obviously incorrect. A n interesting story though.......more

Goodreads review by Mark on October 14, 2024

This novella provides an excellent precursor 'prediction' of today's world and politics.......more

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