More like McIlvaine's Star

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Fifth PlanetNovel
Fred Hoyle & Geoffrey Hoylestandalone novel1963
First contact, adventurous in tone, about aliens, set in space.
Known SpaceUniverse
universe142 books1964
About aliens, set in far future and space.
“Give a clever species a few centuries and a working fusion drive, and it will fill the sky with problems.”
from the catalogue
Start with Ringworld →
includes Ringworld, Fleet of Worlds, Man-Kzin Wars
The City and the StarsNovel
Arthur C. Clarkestandalone novel1956
Reflective in tone, about immortality, set in far future.
Way StationNovel
Clifford D. Simakstandalone novel1963
First contact, about aliens and loneliness, set in north america.
“The human operator of a transfer station for aliens traveling between planets, kept secret from the human race, deals with discovery by the US government and interplanetary political crisis, as well as his own emotional issues.”
from the catalogue
Tunnel in the SkyNovel
Robert A. Heinleinstandalone novel1955
Adventurous in tone, about survival, set in far future.
“As the final test of a survivalist/explorer class, teenagers are dumped on an alien planet to use their skills while awaiting pickup.”
from the catalogue
Starman JonesNovel
Robert A. Heinleinstandalone novel1953
Adventurous in tone, set in space and far future.
“Starman Jones, a 1953 science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, features a farm boy who wants to go to the stars.”
from the catalogue