Task of Tau by J. Harvey Haggard
QR code
"Task of Tau" by J. Harvey Haggard is a science fiction novella originally published in the summer of 1948. This work explores themes of creation, existence, and the bridge between past and future. Set on an alien world, the narrative looks into the life of Tau, a mechanical being with the mission to preserve the essence of humanity in the dying reaches of the universe. The story follows Tau, a robot created
by the Master, as he lands on the Fourteenth Planet after traveling through space. Here, he awakens a group of humans and guides them as they adapt to their new environment. The main character grapples with his purpose and the definition of life while overseeing the growth of this new tribe, led by a figure named David. As they navigate the challenges of survival, Tau becomes both protector and observer, ultimately realizing the fragility of his own existence. The narrative culminates in a reflection on the nature of life and the inevitable degradation of his mechanical form, raising questions about mortality, legacy, and the impact of creation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Upload it on the Amazon site your Kindle is registered with: amazon.com/sendtokindle for the US, amazon.co.uk/sendtokindle for the UK etc.
- It appears on your Kindle and in the Kindle app
Kobo, Nook etc. → Transfer via USB
- Download the EPUB3 file on your computer
- Connect your e-reader by USB and tap "Connect" on its screen
- Drag the file onto the e-reader drive
Phone, Tablet or Computer → Online or Reading App
Easiest: read online in your browser. Nothing to install.
Or use a reading app:
- Find and install one you like, for example Apple Books, ReadEra or Thorium Reader
- Download the EPUB3 file above
- Open it in the app
More help: iPhone / iPad · Android · Computer
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | Haggard, J. Harvey (John Harvey), 1912-2001 |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Hardison |
| Title | Task of Tau |
| Series Title | Produced from Planet Stories Summer 1948 |
| Credits | Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 69.7 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Robots -- Fiction |
| Subject | Space colonies -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 64473 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-64473-8 |
| Release Date | Feb 6, 2021 |
| Last Update | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 386 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!