 I can't summarize Space Beagle in 30 seconds. If you're interested in the origins of modern science fiction, you need to give it a look. It's been republished and reinterpreted out the wazoo over the decades and for good reason. When you read it, you'll see Star Trek. You'll see Alien. You'll see comics. You'll even see anime. Everything's in there. This book, which is put together from four pre-existing novellas, has the seeds of modern science fiction all over it. It also has Dianetics all over it.