Travel back to the dawn of science fiction with the very first issue of Amazing Stories, originally published in April 1926. This landmark magazine changed the literary landscape by introducing readers to tales of scientific wonder, imaginative futures, and thrilling discoveries. Now, you can explore this influential piece of history in a newly transcribed and carefully formatted PDF edition.
This issue includes stories by some of the most celebrated names in early science fiction—H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and Edgar Allan Poe, among others. These are not merely entertaining tales; they are foundational texts that helped shape the science fiction genre as we know it today. Each story invites you to imagine new worlds, challenge current thinking, and embrace the limitless possibilities of human curiosity.
I transcribed this edition from the original pulp magazine, preserving its spirit while ensuring modern readability. The PDF is completely free to download and share. However, it’s important to remember that while the material is in the public domain, the authorship belongs to the original creators. Their contributions deserve to be respected and acknowledged.
Therefore, you may freely read, distribute, and enjoy this edition for personal or educational purposes—but please, do not sell it or use it for commercial gain. This project exists to honour and preserve the legacy of early science fiction, making it accessible to anyone with a passion for storytelling and imagination.
Amazing Stories Vol.1 - Contents of this edition
“Off on a Comet” by Jules Verne
In this thrilling adventure, Jules Verne takes readers on a journey that stretches the boundaries of imagination. When a comet unexpectedly passes close to Earth, it whisks a group of people away, plunging them into a new world where the laws of nature are bent and strange phenomena abound. The story follows Hector Servadac, a French captain, as he navigates the unknown landscapes of the comet, confronting not only the mysteries of space but the resilience of the human spirit.
“The New Accelerator” by H.G. Wells
H.G. Wells delivers another gripping tale that lives up to his stellar reputation. In this story, a brilliant physiologist and chemist creates a powerful compound that alters human perception of time. Wells crafts a vivid and fast-paced narrative, drawing readers into a world where science pushes the boundaries of experience. With his distinctive British style and energetic storytelling, he invites us to explore the thrilling consequences of human experimentation and ambition.
The Man From the Atom by G. Peyton Wertenbaker
The tale explores a man who expands to cosmic proportions. The author guides us through the man’s surreal sensations, emotional turmoil, and eventual despair, building toward a powerful and unexpected conclusion. It’s a bold blend of imagination and psychological depth, turning a simple concept into something vast and unforgettable.
“The Thing From—Outside” by George Allen England
This story challenges the idea that intelligence must come in a familiar, human-like form. It suggests that consciousness could exist beyond flesh and blood—perhaps even within gases or unseen structures far beyond our current understanding. In this tale, a group of people confronts an invisible and unknown presence stalking them. The story explores the fear of the unseen and the unsettling possibility that alien intelligence may already be among us, hidden in forms we can’t yet comprehend.
“The Man Who Saved the Earth” by Austin Hall
What begins as a simple childhood curiosity soon spirals into a discovery with the power to end the world. A young boy, fascinated by light and lenses, grows into a visionary scientist who uncovers a strange new element—an opalescent force capable of levelling mountains and extinguishing life in seconds. His invention promises boundless power, but it quickly turns into a nightmare. As the magnitude of what he’s created dawns on him, he races to undo the devastation he has set in motion. This is a tale of genius turned tragic—a modern Prometheus who stares down the apocalypse of his own making and pays the ultimate price to stop it.
“The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar” by Edgar Allan Poe
In this chilling tale, Edgar Allan Poe turns to mesmerism not just as a plot device, but as a dark mirror for exploring life, death, and the unknown that lies beyond. Unlike the more contemplative tone of Mesmeric Revelations, here Poe pushes deeper into horror. He guides us through a disturbing experiment in which a dying man is hypnotised at the edge of death—and held there. What begins as a clinical inquiry into consciousness soon unravels into one of the most gruesome and unforgettable conclusions in literature. With surgical precision, Poe dissects the boundary between life and death, delivering a philosophical meditation wrapped n sheer terror.
