Pebble in the Sky
by Isaac Asimov
Pebble in the Sky (1950), Asimov's first published novel, features a 20th-century man transported to a far future where Earth is a radioactive, backwater world within the Galactic Empire — discriminated against and planning rebellion.
Published
1950
Pages
223
Pub. Order
#15
Chron. Order
#8
Recognition & Milestones
Asimov's first published novel (1950)
Synopsis
Joseph Schwartz, a retired tailor from 1949 Chicago, is accidentally transported thousands of years into the future by a nuclear accident. He finds himself on Earth — now a radioactive, impoverished backwater of the Galactic Empire. Earth's people face discrimination from the galaxy and are subject to the 'Sixty' — mandatory euthanasia at age 60.
Schwartz is subjected to a brain-enhancement procedure that gives him telepathic abilities. He becomes involved in a plot by fanatical Earthmen to release a biological weapon against the Empire. With the help of archaeologist Bel Arvardan and physicist Affret Shekt, Schwartz helps prevent the attack while advocating for Earth's humane treatment.
Reader's Guide
How the Book Is Built
Pebble in the Sky (1950) was Asimov's first published novel. He expanded it from a shorter story, "Grow Old with Me," at the request of Walter I. Bradbury, an editor at Doubleday.
Joseph Schwartz, a retired tailor walking through Chicago in 1949, is caught in a nuclear laboratory accident and thrown thousands of years into the future. He lands on an Earth that is poor, partly radioactive, and despised by the rest of the Galactic Empire, which barely believes humanity came from there. Earth's people follow strict customs, including mandatory death at sixty, the "Sixty." Schwartz, who speaks no language anyone recognizes, becomes the test subject for a device meant to enhance intelligence, and finds himself caught up in a plot by Earth's fanatical leaders against the Empire.
What to Watch For
An outsider's eye. Schwartz is an ordinary man from the reader's own century, which makes him the easiest entry point in all of Asimov's future history. His confusion is the reader's.
Prejudice. The Empire's contempt for Earth, and Earth's bitter resentment in return, are the book's real subject. The archaeologist Bel Arvardan, a visitor from the Empire who argues that humanity originated on Earth, has to confront his own biases.
Earth's radioactivity. The book treats a radioactive Earth as a fact of history. Decades later, Robots and Empire explains how it happened, and Foundation and Earth shows its final state.
Where It Fits and Who It's For
It is the latest of the three Empire novels in the internal chronology, set when the Galactic Empire is already established. Like the others, it is optional for readers of the Foundation series, but it has the most direct links to the Foundation-era books, and it is a lively, humane first novel.
It works completely on its own. It is a good choice for readers who want to try Asimov's future history without committing to a series.
On Screen
No adaptation exists.
Key Themes
Historical Context & Writing Background
This was Asimov's first published novel (1950), issued by Doubleday), though he had already published the Foundation short stories in magazines. The radioactive Earth established here was later explained in *Robots and Empire* (1985) as the result of deliberate contamination by Spacer extremists — a retcon that unified the Robot and Empire series. The novel was expanded from a shorter story, 'Grow Old with Me', at the request of Doubleday editor Walter I. Bradbury.
Critical Reception
Well received as a debut novel. According to the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, the themes of prejudice and identity resonate strongly. The novel holds up as a standalone adventure while gaining additional significance when read in the context of the larger Foundation universe.
Connection to Asimov's Universe
Earth's radioactive state, described here as ancient history, is explained in 'Robots and Empire' as having been deliberately caused. The anti-Earth prejudice seen here echoes throughout the Foundation series. Bel Arvardan's archaeology connects to themes in 'Foundation and Earth.'
Read more on WikipediaFrequently Asked Questions About Pebble in the Sky
Is Pebble in the Sky Asimov's first novel?
Yes. Pebble in the Sky (1950) was Isaac Asimov's first published novel, though he had already sold numerous short stories to magazines, including the core Foundation stories. The novel was expanded from a shorter story, 'Grow Old with Me', at the request of Doubleday editor Walter I. Bradbury.