New Releases by Poul Anderson

The High Ones by Poul Anderson is a captivating science fiction novel that delves into themes of exploration, technology, and human evolution. Set in a future where humanity is venturing into the far reaches of space, Anderson crafts a narrative that is both thought-provoking and richly imaginative. The story follows a group of pioneering astronauts who embark on a groundbreaking mission to explore distant worlds and encounter advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. As they navigate the challenges of interstellar travel and confront the unknown, the characters grapple with profound questions about the nature of intelligence, the limits of human potential, and the ethical implications of their discoveries. Anderson’s masterful world-building and intricate plot weave together elements of adventure, philosophy, and speculative science. The High Ones is celebrated for its exploration of complex ideas about the future of humanity and the impact of technological progress on society. The novel’s blend of scientific speculation and character-driven storytelling offers a compelling vision of what lies beyond our current understanding. For fans of science fiction who are interested in exploring the boundaries of human knowledge and the possibilities of future exploration, The High Ones provides a stimulating and engaging read. Anderson’s insightful and imaginative narrative invites readers to ponder the ultimate questions of existence and the future of humanity in a vast and mysterious universe.

Poul Anderson (1926–2001) was a giant in the world of science fiction and fantasy. Known for his rich storytelling and well-researched plots, Anderson left a significant mark on the genre. Throughout his career, Anderson wrote many acclaimed books and short stories. Some of his most famous works include the “Polesotechnic League” and “Terran Empire” series, which explore the far reaches of space and the complex interplay of cultures and politics. His novel Tau Zero is often hailed as a masterpiece of hard science fiction, presenting a gripping tale about a spaceship crew facing the ultimate challenges of time and space. Included in this volume are: INSIDE EARTH WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT? CATALYSIS SNOWBALL INNOCENT AT LARGE TIGER BY THE TAIL CAPTIVE OF THE CENTAURIANESS DUEL ON SYRTIS LORD OF A THOUSAND SUNS OUT OF THE IRON WOMB! SARGASSO OF LOST STARSHIPS SENTIMENT, INC. SNOWBALL STAR SHIP SWORDSMAN OF LOST TERRA THE TEMPLE OF EARTH THE VALOR OF CAPPEN VARRA THE VIRGIN OF VALKARION WITCH OF THE DEMON SEAS WORLD OF THE MAD THE GOLDEN SLAVE MURDER IN BLACK LETTER (mystery novel) If you enjoy this ebook, search your favorite bookstore for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the 400+ other volumes in the series, including science fiction, mysteries, westerns, adventure stories, and much, much more. Accept no substitutes!

In ''Lord of a Thousand Sun: Space Stories of Poul Anderson (Illustrated)'', Poul Anderson showcases his mastery of science fiction storytelling with a collection of thrilling tales set in distant galaxies and unexplored worlds. Each story is rich in detail, blending elements of adventure, technology, and speculation about the future of mankind in space. Anderson''s descriptive prose and vivid imagery capture the wonder and dangers of space travel, making the reader feel like they are part of the action. The inclusion of illustrations further enhances the reading experience, bringing to life the intricate worlds and characters Anderson has created. Poul Anderson, a prolific author known for his contributions to the science fiction genre, drew inspiration from his fascination with astrophysics and classic literature. His ability to blend scientific concepts with imaginative storytelling sets him apart as a visionary in the field. ''Lord of a Thousand Sun'' is a testament to Anderson''s creative genius and his enduring impact on the world of science fiction. I highly recommend ''Lord of a Thousand Sun'' to readers who enjoy thought-provoking science fiction that pushes the boundaries of human exploration. Anderson''s captivating stories will engage readers of all ages and leave them pondering the mysteries of the universe long after they have finished the book.

Discover the golden age of science fiction with some of the best stories of intergalactic battles, space adventures and alien contact in this Poul Anderson collection of selected SF stories: Captive of the Centaurianess Lord of a Thousand Sun Out of the Iron Womb Sargasso of Lost Starships Star Ship Swordsman of Lost Terra The Virgin of Valkarion Tiger by the Tail Witch of the Demon Seas

"The Chapter Ends" by Poul Anderson. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

"The Temple of Earth" by Poul Anderson. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.

Discover the golden age of science fiction with some of the best stories of intergalactic wars, space adventures and alien contact: Ray Bradbury: Jonah of the Jove-Run Zero Hour Rocket Summer Lorelei of the Red Mist The Creatures That Time Forgot Asleep in Armageddon Defense Mech Lazarus Come Forth Morgue Ship The Monster Maker A Little Journey Leigh Brackett: Black Amazon of Mars Child of the Sun Citadel of Lost Ships Enchantress of Venus Last Call From Sector 9G Outpost on Io Queen of the Martian Catacombs Shannach Terror Out of Space The Beast-Jewel of Mars The Blue Behemoth The Dragon-Queen of Jupiter The Jewel of Bas The Stellar Legion The Vanishing Venusians Thralls of the Endless Night Poul Anderson: Captive of the Centaurianess Lord of a Thousand Sun Out of the Iron Womb Sargasso of Lost Starships Star Ship Swordsman of Lost Terra The Virgin of Valkarion Tiger by the Tail Witch of the Demon Seas Jerome Bixby: Cargo to Callisto Tubemonkey The Crowded Colony Vengeance on Mars Clifford D. Simak: Message From Mars Mr. Meek Plays Polo Mr. Meek—Musketeer The Shipshape Miracle Damon Knight The Star Beast Doorway to Kal-Jmar The Third Little Green Man The Avenger Frederik Pohl: Asteroid of the Damned Conspiracy on Callisto Double-Cross Let the Ants Try Gardner F. Fox: When Kohonnes Screamed The Warlock of Sharrador Werwile of the Crystal Crypt Sword of the Seven Suns Vassals of the Lode-Star Engines of the Gods by Gardner Tonight the Stars Revolt! The Last Monster Man nth The Man the Sun-Gods Made

The book, Captive of the Centaurianess, has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

e-artnow presents to you this meticulously edited and formatted collection of space adventures, alien contacts and intergalactic wars stories written by some of the greatest masters of the Sci-Fi genre:_x000D_ Ray Bradbury:_x000D_ Jonah of the Jove-Run _x000D_ Zero Hour _x000D_ Rocket Summer _x000D_ Lorelei of the Red Mist _x000D_ The Creatures That Time Forgot _x000D_ Asleep in Armageddon _x000D_ Defense Mech _x000D_ Lazarus Come Forth _x000D_ Morgue Ship _x000D_ The Monster Maker _x000D_ A Little Journey _x000D_ Leigh Brackett:_x000D_ Black Amazon of Mars _x000D_ Child of the Sun _x000D_ Citadel of Lost Ships _x000D_ Enchantress of Venus _x000D_ Last Call From Sector 9G _x000D_ Outpost on Io _x000D_ Queen of the Martian Catacombs _x000D_ Shannach _x000D_ Terror Out of Space _x000D_ The Beast-Jewel of Mars _x000D_ The Blue Behemoth _x000D_ The Dragon-Queen of Jupiter _x000D_ The Jewel of Bas _x000D_ The Stellar Legion _x000D_ The Vanishing Venusians _x000D_ Thralls of the Endless Night _x000D_ Poul Anderson:_x000D_ Captive of the Centaurianess _x000D_ Lord of a Thousand Sun _x000D_ Out of the Iron Womb _x000D_ Sargasso of Lost Starships _x000D_ Star Ship _x000D_ Swordsman of Lost Terra _x000D_ The Virgin of Valkarion _x000D_ Tiger by the Tail _x000D_ Witch of the Demon Seas _x000D_ Jerome Bixby:_x000D_ Cargo to Callisto _x000D_ Tubemonkey _x000D_ The Crowded Colony _x000D_ Vengeance on Mars _x000D_ Clifford D. Simak:_x000D_ Message From Mars _x000D_ Mr. Meek Plays Polo _x000D_ Mr. Meek—Musketeer _x000D_ The Shipshape Miracle _x000D_ Damon Knight_x000D_ The Star Beast _x000D_ Doorway to Kal-Jmar _x000D_ The Third Little Green Man _x000D_ The Avenger _x000D_ Frederik Pohl:_x000D_ Asteroid of the Damned _x000D_ Conspiracy on Callisto _x000D_ Double-Cross _x000D_ Let the Ants Try _x000D_ Gardner F. Fox:_x000D_ When Kohonnes Screamed _x000D_ The Warlock of Sharrador_x000D_ Werwile of the Crystal Crypt_x000D_ Sword of the Seven Suns_x000D_ Vassals of the Lode-Star_x000D_ Engines of the Gods by Gardner_x000D_ Tonight the Stars Revolt!_x000D_ The Last Monster_x000D_ Man nth_x000D_ The Man the Sun-Gods Made

Discover the golden age of science fiction with some of the best stories of intergalactic wars, space adventures and alien contact:_x000D_ Ray Bradbury:_x000D_ Jonah of the Jove-Run _x000D_ Zero Hour _x000D_ Rocket Summer _x000D_ Lorelei of the Red Mist _x000D_ The Creatures That Time Forgot _x000D_ Asleep in Armageddon _x000D_ Defense Mech _x000D_ Lazarus Come Forth _x000D_ Morgue Ship _x000D_ The Monster Maker _x000D_ A Little Journey _x000D_ Leigh Brackett:_x000D_ Black Amazon of Mars _x000D_ Child of the Sun _x000D_ Citadel of Lost Ships _x000D_ Enchantress of Venus _x000D_ Last Call From Sector 9G _x000D_ Outpost on Io _x000D_ Queen of the Martian Catacombs _x000D_ Shannach _x000D_ Terror Out of Space _x000D_ The Beast-Jewel of Mars _x000D_ The Blue Behemoth _x000D_ The Dragon-Queen of Jupiter _x000D_ The Jewel of Bas _x000D_ The Stellar Legion _x000D_ The Vanishing Venusians _x000D_ Thralls of the Endless Night _x000D_ Poul Anderson:_x000D_ Captive of the Centaurianess _x000D_ Lord of a Thousand Sun _x000D_ Out of the Iron Womb _x000D_ Sargasso of Lost Starships _x000D_ Star Ship _x000D_ Swordsman of Lost Terra _x000D_ The Virgin of Valkarion _x000D_ Tiger by the Tail _x000D_ Witch of the Demon Seas _x000D_ Jerome Bixby:_x000D_ Cargo to Callisto _x000D_ Tubemonkey _x000D_ The Crowded Colony _x000D_ Vengeance on Mars _x000D_ Clifford D. Simak:_x000D_ Message From Mars _x000D_ Mr. Meek Plays Polo _x000D_ Mr. Meek—Musketeer _x000D_ The Shipshape Miracle _x000D_ Damon Knight_x000D_ The Star Beast _x000D_ Doorway to Kal-Jmar _x000D_ The Third Little Green Man _x000D_ The Avenger _x000D_ Frederik Pohl:_x000D_ Asteroid of the Damned _x000D_ Conspiracy on Callisto _x000D_ Double-Cross _x000D_ Let the Ants Try _x000D_ Gardner F. Fox:_x000D_ When Kohonnes Screamed _x000D_ The Warlock of Sharrador_x000D_ Werwile of the Crystal Crypt_x000D_ Sword of the Seven Suns_x000D_ Vassals of the Lode-Star_x000D_ Engines of the Gods by Gardner_x000D_ Tonight the Stars Revolt!_x000D_ The Last Monster_x000D_ Man nth_x000D_ The Man the Sun-Gods Made

This epic tale based on Norse sagas by the Science Fiction Grand Master “proves that he is indeed a master!” (Robert Jordan, #1 New York Times–bestselling author). In Mother of Kings, Poul Anderson “brings to life the bloodthirsty Norse as they evolve into the looting, plundering Vikings of popular lore” (Publishers Weekly). During the tenth century, Gunnhild, the daughter of a Norse warlord, is sent to study sorcery under the auspices of two Finnish wizards. She is able to ensnare as a husband a man she has only seen in visions—the formidable Norse king Eirik Blood-Ax—and bears him nine children. Wielding her magic as a weapon, Gunnhild survives political intrigues and power struggles at Eirik’s side, forging a family dynasty that will cement its place in Scandinavian legend and lore . . . “An unquestionably great work.” —Kirkus Reviews “The genre’s guru blends mythology and history into a powerhouse of a tale that tells readers the story of Gunnhild, a real persona who has received legendary status over the last millennium. The gritty but vivid story line provides a powerful look at the tenth century as rarely seen by literature except perhaps [in] Beowulf and that is a few centuries earlier. The beginning of the end of the Age of the Vikings is fitting posthumous triumph from one of the greats.” —AllReaders.com

“Readers bored with Tolkien-clone fantasies will be enthralled by the intricately detailed world and characters Anderson brings to life here.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review The Grand Master of Science Fiction delivers “a Dark Age saga based on Old Scandinavian mythology and the exploits of the legendary Danish King Hadding . . . A brilliantly accomplished yarn” (Kirkus Reviews). In a scheme arranged by the god Odin, Hadding is born to King Gram Skjoldung of Denmark but is sent to be raised by giants for his own safety. After his father is murdered, Hadding must claim his destiny. Prey to the follies of humans and gods, he rises to the challenges of war, fate, and love in a mythic adventure “episodic in character, gory in detail, fatalistic in atmosphere, and spiked with sinister, chthonic Norse magic” (Interzone). “War of the Gods struck me like a hammer-bolt out of the sky.” —Black Gate Praise for Poul Anderson “Anderson has produced more milestones in contemporary science fiction and fantasy than any one man is entitled to.” —Stephen Donaldson “One of science fiction’s most revered writers.” —USA Today “The great canvas of interstellar space comes alive under Anderson’s hand as it does under no other.” —Gordon R. Dickson “One of science fiction’s most influential and prolific writers.” —The Daily Telegraph

This Hugo Award finalist, “justifiably regarded as a classic” (SFReviews.net), is the tale of an epic space voyage where time dilation goes horribly wrong. Aboard the spacecraft Leonora Christine, fifty crewmembers, half men and half women, have embarked on a journey of discovery like no other to a planet thirty light-years away. Since their ship is not capable of traveling faster than light, the crew will be subject to the effects of time dilation and relativity. They will age five years on board the ship before reaching their destination, but thirty-three years will pass on Earth. Experienced scientists and researchers, they have come to terms with the time conditions of their space travel. Until . . . the Leonora Christine passes through an uncharted nebula, which damages the engine, making it impossible to decelerate the ship on the second half of their trip. To survive, the crewmembers have no choice but to bypass their destination and continue to accelerate toward the speed of light. But how will they keep hope alive and maintain order as they hurtle deeper into space with time passing more and more rapidly, and their ultimate fate unknown? With its combination of mind-blowing hard science and compelling human drama, Tau Zero is “the ultimate hard science novel” (Mike Resnick).

Werewolf Steve Matuchek and witch Ginny Graylock defend America in this fantasy duology from the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author. Operation Chaos: In a world where magic is real, werewolf Steve Matuchek and powerful witch Virginia Graylock are paired together in the war to stop the invading Caliphate forces from taking over America. Their mission: stop the enemy from unleashing their superweapon—a genie in a bottle. And that is only the beginning of an adventure that will take them quite literally to Hell and back . . . “Operation Chaos was one of the truly fine fantasies of the 1970s, a fantasy whose magic was so splendidly engineered that you felt it was as logical—and as likely—as our real technology.” —Harry Turtledove “A great read, from a master writer at the top of his game.” —GirlsWithGuns.org Operation Luna: Now married with three rambunctious children, Steve and Ginny once again find themselves fighting for their country as they try to stop a plot to sabotage America’s first manned mission to the moon (in an alternate history timeline, that is). But they will need help from a loyal cadre of magical allies if they hope to avert a catastrophe . . . “An enjoyable tale by a veteran writer who knows exactly what he’s doing.” —Publishers Weekly

The multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master of Science Fiction delivers “an exciting culmination to an ambitious saga” (Publishers Weekly). Far into the reaches of space, Anson Guthrie and a band of colonists have forged a new existence on Amaterasu not as physical beings but as downloaded consciousness watched over by the benevolent Life Mother. Yet as idyllic as their lives may be, back home on Earth the situation is growing grim. Earth’s inhabitants are now completely dependent—and so controlled—by an intelligent machine known as the Teramind. But the instinctual human desire to be free is not something the Teramind has included in its calculations. The seeds of rebellion are growing. Suspecting a conspiracy to suppress humankind’s last vestiges of freedom, Guthrie and his loyal companions make a dangerous journey back to Earth—risking everything to preserve humanity’s independent destiny. The thrilling conclusion to Anderson’s four-volume, award-winning epic vision of mankind’s evolution, begun in Harvest of Stars, “Fleet of Stars is a grand story that gets bigger and better with every page” (Larry Bond).

After World War III has ravaged the globe and toppled once-great nations, a new science offers hope for the future: Psychodynamics, the ability to influence government and popular opinion. Led by the Psychotechnic Institute, humanity denounces its violent ways, once and for all. Peace reigns on Earth. Humankind shakes off the tyranny of gravity and ventures out into the galaxy. But no sooner is utopia realized than the cycle of war and destruction begins anew. The final of three volumes collecting all of multiple Hugo- and Nebula-Award winning author Poul Anderson''s massive future history magnum opus. Includes short stories previously uncollected in a Psychotechnic League volume! At the publisher''s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About Poul Anderson: "One of science fiction''s authentic geniuses."–Chicago Sun-Times “Anderson fuses elegiac prose and a sweeping vision of man’s technological future…”–Booklist “One of science fiction’s giants.”–Arthur C. Clarke

The sixth powerful Science Fiction Archive! Edited by the strangely enigmatic Rey Bertran, SFA #6 features the following tales: Missing Link, by Frank Herbert The Great Nebraska Sea, by Allan Danzig The Valor of Cappen Varra, by Poul Anderson A Bad Day for Vermin, by Keith Laumer Hall of Mirrors, by Frederic Brown Common Denominator, by John MacDonald Doctor, by Murray Leinster The Next Logical Step, by Ben Bova The Nothing Equation, by Tom Godwin The Last Evolution, by John Campbell A Hitch in Space, by Fritz Leiber On the Fourth Planet, by J.F. Bone Flight From Tomorrow, by H. Beam Piper Card Trick, by Walter Bupp The K-Factor, by Harry Harrison

FROM THE RAVAGES OF WAR, HOPE FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW After World War III has ravaged the globe and toppled once-great nations, a new science offers hope for the future: Psychodynamics, the ability to influence government and popular opinion. Led by the Psychotechnic Institute, humanity denounces its violent ways, once and for all. Peace reigns on Earth. Humankind shakes off the tyranny of gravity and ventures out into the galaxy. But no sooner is utopia realized than the cycle of war and destruction begins anew. The second of three volumes collecting all of multiple Hugo- and Nebula-Award winning author Poul Anderson''s massive future history magnum opus. Includes short stories previously uncollected in a Psychotechnic League volume! At the publisher''s request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). About Poul Anderson: "One of science fiction''s authentic geniuses."–Chicago Sun-Times “Anderson fuses elegiac prose and a sweeping vision of man’s technological future…”–Booklist “One of science fiction’s giants.”–Arthur C. Clarke

The way we feel about another person, or about objects, is often bound up in associations that have no direct connection with the person or object at all. Often, what we call a "change of heart" comes about sheerly from a change in the many associations which make up our present viewpoint. Now, suppose that these associations could be altered artificially, at the option of the person who was in charge of the process...

He wondered, with a brief giddiness, if the dark witch before him could be as evil as her enemies said. Strong and ruthless, yes—but so was he. When he learned the full truth about her soaring plans, he might even decide they were right.

In this gripping sci-fi novella from award-winning writer Poul Anderson, the galaxy has been taken over by a regime known as Valgolia, whose brutality and ruthlessness is known far and wide. A man named Conru sacrifices everything to aid the uprising against Valgolia, but when he penetrates the resistance''s upper echelons, he finds himself immersed in a complex political game.

Space explorers returning to an unrecognizable Earth after five millennia away find themselves caught up in a deadly political power game on a planet racing toward intergalactic war Five thousand years have passed since the interstellar spacecraft Explorer left Earth, and now Edward Langley and his two crewmates are returning home. The faster-than-light mission that took only a year for Langley, Matsumoto, and Blaustein has cost them the only world they ever knew. This future Earth is unrecognizable, its global society ruled by a benevolent, all-powerful computer and divided into a strict class structure of masters and slaves. Though war has been eradicated for generations, tensions between the powers on Earth and colonists on Centaurus over mineral mining are rapidly reaching a violent breaking point. The homecoming of three astronauts from the distant past should have no bearing on the present political situation. But the crewmembers did not come back alone—and the alien visitor who accompanied them holds the key to victory or total defeat. One of the most acclaimed of the Golden Age science fiction masters, Poul Anderson has written a provocative and enthralling tale of the future that incorporates his trademark blend of hard science, sociology, and humanism. At once thrilling and thought provoking, No World of Their Own is classic speculative fiction at its page-turning best, as only the incomparable Anderson could imagine it.

Humans and their genetically altered descendants struggle to find their place in a universe controlled by a benevolent artificial intelligence in this brilliant classic of future speculation On a far-future Earth, a linked system of artificial intelligences called the cybercosm runs the planet and the universe far more efficiently than any flesh and blood ruler ever could, in essence rendering the human race obsolete. On the Earth’s moon, genetically engineered Lunarians carrying the DNA of Dagney Beynac—a descendant of the legendary Anton Guthrie, founder of the powerful and visionary Fireball Enterprises—struggle to preserve their lives, their freedom, and their satellite’s resources in the face of threats posed by encroaching humans and controlling machines. Over a span of five centuries, tensions have increased in the wake of the political and technological revolutions that reshaped their universe. And suddenly radical change is in the offing once more, as a secret kept hidden since the earliest days of Lunar colonization is about to be revealed—one that could effectively shut down the cybercosm and plunge the universe into chaos. Poul Anderson advances the worlds-shattering circumstances he so brilliantly introduced in Harvest of Stars, creating a vision of the future that is at once astonishing, provocative, and troubling. A true science fiction classic, The Stars Are Also Fire explores deep questions about the nature, complexity, and worth of humankind in an unforgettable novel considered by many to be Anderson’s masterpiece.

The only survivors of an annihilated human race must find one another somewhere in the cosmos and unite to destroy the alien aggressors who obliterated the Earth in this classic science fiction adventure After a three-year mission, the American starship Benjamin Franklin and its all-male crew have returned to Earth, only to discover the planet is dead, a blackened shell devoid of life. It is clear that one of a trio of alien species engineered the holocaust, but which? When the captain of the Franklin falters, engineer Carl Donnan is forced to take command of the ship. The future of what remains of the human race is in his hands. Donnan’s first priority is to escape with his crewmates; the second is to find out if there are other human survivors somewhere among the stars—unbeknownst to Donnan and the three hundred men now under his charge, the female crew of the Europa also survived the genocide—and the third is to seek vengeance, for the alien annihilators will not rest until their task is completed. If the last men and women in the galaxy do not identify and destroy their enemy, there will be no place in the universe to hide. The winner of three Nebulas, seven Hugos, and numerous other awards over the course of his illustrious career, science fiction Grand Master Poul Anderson has written a magnificent adventure of courage and survival in the wake of the unthinkable, demonstrating once again why he is considered one of the brightest literary lights to shine during the Golden Age of Asimov, Heinlein, and Bradbury.

From an award-winning author: A novel of the fierce Norse warrior who would become the lusty and powerful Viking king Harald Hardrede. At seventeen, Harald Sigurdharson—one day to be called Hardrede—tastes the bitter nectar of blood and battle for the first time, and from that day forward he will forever crave the intoxicating brew of war. Though he knows it is his destiny to conquer and to rule, he is still young and the throne he covets is beyond his grasp. In the meantime, the wide world beckons. Setting out from Norway after a great series of mercenary adventures in Sweden and Russia, the now towering seven-foot-tall Harald arrives at Constantinople on the Golden Horn. In the heart of an empire choking on its own intrigues and excesses, as a member of the Varangian Guard—the foreign warriors entrusted with the safety of the Byzantine emperor—and a tireless suitor to an enticing beauty from a powerful clan, Harald carves out his legend in flesh, bone, and blood. But his true path stretches to the other side of the world, for he must ultimately return to Norway, his homeland, to claim his royal birthright. A winner of multiple awards including the Hugo and Nebula, author Poul Anderson begins an epic trilogy of historical fiction with this novel, bringing to life the eleventh-century conqueror who was known as the last Viking.

On a post-nuclear Earth, visionaries who dream of reaching for the stars attempt to revive the forbidden technology that destroyed their world. Centuries ago, humankind was nearly destroyed in a nuclear apocalypse. Many generations have passed since that terrible time, and the remnants of civilization have re-formed into separate, vastly different societies. The dominant culture of a widely diminished Earth, the ecologically sensitive Maurai hold fast to their belief that “non-green” science is an unacceptable evil. But the reborn dream of space flight harbored by a forward-thinking few could herald the revival of the nuclear technology that once ravaged the planet and its people—and the powerful Maurai Federation will take every step necessary, no matter how drastic, to prevent doomsday from dawning again. An enthralling work of speculative fiction from a winner of the Nebula and Hugo Awards, Orion Shall Rise is a feat of world-building and a sobering view of tomorrow by one of the twentieth century’s most revered science fiction masters. Poul Anderson’s monumental tale combines science, anthropology, philosophy, and global politics with breathtaking action and adventure, offering an ingeniously unique and provocative vision of humankind’s all-too-possible destiny. This ebook includes the bonus story “The Sky People.”

An intergalactic privateer resolves to rescue a human space colony taken captive by alien aggressors An outpost located at the edge of the galaxy, New Europe has been overrun by the Aleriona, a hostile alien race that resents humanity’s incursion into deep space. Fearing a wider war, the World Federation on Earth is hesitant to respond to the outrage, especially since the invaders claim the colonists have already been killed. But ex–navy captain Gunnar Heim refuses to believe there’s no one left—and he’s convinced that what happened to New Europe is only the beginning of the Aleriona’s intergalactic aggression. The cowardly Terran government refusing to act, Gunnar takes matters into his own hands. Assembling a crew of able volunteers, he prepares to pilot the spaceship Star Fox and confront a relentless foe light years from Earth. Nominated for the Nebula Award, The Star Fox is a magnificent space opera adventure that confirms Poul Anderson’s standing as one of the premier science fiction authors of the twentieth century—not only a contemporary of such luminaries as Asimov, Heinlein, Herbert, and Clarke, but every bit their equal.

Transported to a medieval realm of magic and myth, a World War II resistance fighter undertakes a perilous quest in this classic fantasy adventure. Holger Carlsen is a rational man of science. A Danish engineer working with the Resistance to defeat the Nazis, he is wounded during an engagement with the enemy and awakens in an unfamiliar parallel universe where the forces of Law are locked in eternal combat with the forces of Chaos. Against a medieval backdrop, brave knights must take up arms against magical creatures of myth and faerie, battling dragons, trolls, werewolves, and giants. Though Holger has no recollection of this world, he discovers he is already well-known throughout the lands, a hero revered as a Champion of Law. He finds weaponry and armor awaiting him—precisely fitted to his form—and a shield with three hearts and three lions emblazoned upon it. As he journeys through a realm filled with wonders in search of the key to his past, Holger will call upon the scientific knowledge of his home dimension, the destinies of both worlds hanging in the balance. Before Thomas Covenant, Roger Zelazny’s Amber, and J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the great Poul Anderson introduced readers to the Middle World and the legendary hero Ogier the Dane. Inventive and exciting, Three Hearts and Three Lions is a foray into fantasy that employs touches of science fiction from an award-winning master of the speculative.

This classic from science fiction’s Golden Age envisions a primitive future where only the forbidden technology of the past can save an endangered tribe from violent extinction Five centuries into the future, America is no longer what it used to be. Many generations after the old civilization was consumed in a nuclear firestorm, the few survivors have returned to a simple, agrarian lifestyle and eschew the malevolent “magic” of science that brought about “the Doom.” When the Dalesmen of the Alleghenies are threatened by the hostile Lann descending from the North, their chieftain’s son, Carl, is dispatched to the blasted ruins of an ancient city to trade for metal and weapons. However, something extraordinary awaits him in this feared and forbidden place: a time capsule from the twentieth century containing the essential scientific and technological information of a lost society. Carl knows his discovery can help rescue the Dalesmen’s homes and farms. But the law is unbending in this age of superstition—and if the chieftain’s son returns this forbidden knowledge to his people, the tribal Doctors will surely put him to death. One of Poul Anderson’s earliest science fiction masterworks, Vault of the Ages is at once a riveting tale of adventure and a deeply human story of duty and destiny offering a stunning vision of an all-too-possible future.

A spaceship engineer held captive by would-be revolutionaries plots a daring escape in a rocket constructed of odds and ends and powered by beer in this hilarious romp from a master of golden-age speculative fiction The last thing the crew of the Mercury Girl expected to find on the terraformed worldlet known as Grendel was a band of Irish revolutionaries. As far as the ship’s engineer, Knud Axel Syrup, is concerned, being taken prisoner by the more-than-slightly-nutty Shamrock League Irredentist Expeditionary Force could be a lot worse. At least there’s plenty of cold brew available to keep him occupied . . . and more than a little tipsy. But these crazed Fenians are spoiling for a fight, and the last thing Syrup needs is to get caught in the middle of a war between the Shamrocks and their sworn rivals, the Anglians. Luckily Syrup has a plan. With the help of a somewhat-ditzy dancer named Emily and an alien in six-legged lederhosen, he intends to pull off a daring escape from the miniplanet in a spaceship constructed of pretzel boxes, old bicycle parts, and anything else he finds lying around, trusting their liftoff to the considerable propulsive power of beer. Multiple award winner Poul Anderson is one of science fiction’s most respected maestros, and here he displays another side of his creative genius with his tongue planted firmly in his cheek. Hilarious, outrageous, and delightfully imaginative, The Makeshift Rocket is a wonderfully wild and wacky romp through a very different cosmos with one of the genre’s best pilots at the controls.