A sweeping saga of the centuries to come, from the new dark age that followed a global war, to the new civilization that arose from the ashes to colonize the stars. At first, the colonists use ships with gigantic sails, cruising on the waves of starlight, their captains having to become something part human and part machine; then later moving by planoforming ships which travel faster than light, but must defend themselves against the malevolent, mind-devouring creatures lurking in the dark between the stars. Then came the reign of the all-powerful Lords of the Instrumentality, who ruled Earth and its colony worlds with ruthless benevolence, suffocating the human spirit for millennia-until the time of the Rediscovery of Man, when the strange, lost concept of freedom was reborn. . . . An extraordinary vision of a future unique in science fiction, praised by readers, critics, and major writers in the field.
"Read this. Cordwainer Smith is timeless." —Terry Pratchett
". . . a truly unforgettable writer..." —David Brin
". . . a sophisticated, often poetic writer . . . these stories rank among the finest of all time. . . ." —Publishers Weekly
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Product ReviewCordwainer Smith showed more sheer imagination than practically any other SF writer before or since. The stories are masterly and unique. The fact that he wrote little, and less in the form of novels, makes his name relatively obscure, but his works certainly merit a wider audience.
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Product ReviewDidn't get much from this book. Lots of philosophical navel staring. Short on any real depth. Really a loose collection of short stories in the same universe.
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Product ReviewSome people find Smith's work eerie, others find it somewhat disturbing; but it is never boring, and just like fine wine or music, the memory lingers on forever.
His prosaic writing and fascinating concepts like "what happens when a planoforming ship turns milky in space-2" will resonate in your mind you for decades.Posted on
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Product ReviewA unique talent, with images that are likely to linger in your mind for decades... If you haven't read his work before, enjoy! if you have, you may find something new in this excellent collection. Classic!
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Product ReviewI read this story when it came out in, I believe, Galaxy Magazine more than 25 years ago. It has haunted me,in a thought provoking way, ever since.
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