ASKER OF FORBIDDEN QUESTIONS

Thirg, the notorious philosopher, knows the world is not what it seems. His world is not flat, as the priests proclaim, but a sphere-and perhaps there are other worlds on the other side of the sky; with alien-beings upon them. But to the kings and churchmen who rule his world, such ideas are heretical . : . and dangerous. Soon Thirg is forced to flee to rival nation, the only bastion of free thought his planet has ever known.

When aliens do arrive, Thirg's beliefs are vindicated-or so he thinks. But the strange beings called humans plan to exploit his planet's resources, even if it means betraying Thirg's new home to its deadliest enemies. Only one man among the humans; Karl Zambendorf, can stop his fellow Terrans from enslaving Thirg's people:

Too bad Zambendorf is a con man ....

Praise for a Science Fiction Superstar:

"Pure science fiction . . . Arthur Clarke, move over." -Isaac Asimov on Hogan's Inherit the Stars.

"Much though it hurts me to say so, Isaac you are right. Welcome, Jim Hogan, to the hardcore science fiction club." -Arthur C. Clarke on Hogan's Code of the Lifernaker

"Hogan skillfully draws the reader into a fascinating philosophic.al and theological debate without ever forgetting he's supposed to entertain and tell a good story. " -Newsday