New Releases by ROBERT SILVERBERG

Unveil the complexities of the human psyche with Robert Silverberg''s "Age of Anxiety." Step into a thought-provoking exploration of modern existence with Robert Silverberg''s "Age of Anxiety." This compelling novel delves into the intricacies of human emotions, societal pressures, and the pervasive sense of unease that characterizes contemporary life. Silverberg''s masterful storytelling offers readers a profound reflection on the anxieties that shape our world. In "Age of Anxiety," Silverberg introduces us to a cast of characters whose lives are intertwined by their shared struggles with inner turmoil and societal expectations. Each character''s journey reveals the multifaceted nature of anxiety, from the pressures of personal and professional success to the existential dread that accompanies modern living. Through rich character development and intricate plotlines, Silverberg examines themes of isolation, identity, and the relentless pursuit of meaning in an often chaotic world. The novel''s narrative is both engaging and introspective, encouraging readers to confront their own anxieties and consider the broader implications of living in an age defined by uncertainty. Silverberg''s writing is both eloquent and evocative, capturing the nuances of human emotion with precision and empathy. His portrayal of anxiety is deeply relatable, making "Age of Anxiety" a resonant read for anyone grappling with the complexities of contemporary life. Since its publication, "Age of Anxiety" has been praised for its insightful commentary and compelling narrative. Critics and readers alike have lauded Silverberg''s ability to articulate the often-overwhelming feelings of modern existence and offer a poignant critique of the societal factors that contribute to widespread anxiety. As you immerse yourself in "Age of Anxiety," you will be captivated by Silverberg''s vivid characters and the profound questions they raise about life, success, and the human condition. This novel is not just a story; it is a mirror reflecting the deep-seated fears and hopes of our time. In conclusion, "Age of Anxiety" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the pervasive sense of unease that defines our era. Silverberg''s exploration of anxiety is both timely and timeless, offering valuable insights and a compelling narrative that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. Don''t miss your chance to delve into the profound exploration of human emotions in "Age of Anxiety." Let Silverberg''s masterful storytelling guide you through the intricacies of modern life and the universal quest for meaning. Grab your copy now and join the readers who have been moved by this powerful and resonant novel.

In this epic, “[a] brilliant concept of the imagination,” an amnesiac wanderer rediscovers his destiny as ruler of a vast planet (Chicago Sun-Times). Valentine, a drifter who remembers nothing except his name, finds himself on the fringes of a great city. Joining a motley troupe of jugglers and acrobats, he travels with them across the magical planet of Majipoor. All the while, he hopes to meet someone who can help him retrieve his past. Then Valentine begins to dream—and to receive messages in those dreams. Messages that tell him he is a lord, a king turned out of his castle. Now his travels have a purpose: to return to his home, discover what enemy took his memory, and claim the destiny that awaits him. “An imaginative fusion of action, sorcery, and science fiction.” —The New York Times Book Review “Absorbing . . . a wildly imaginative universe.” —People

In the sequel to Lord Valentine’s Castle, the history of Majipoor is revealed through thrilling tales of rulers, warriors, murderers, and thieves. “If you like tales with an Arabian Nights piquancy, this book belongs in your hands.” —The Washington Post Book World Lord Valentine has claimed the title of Coronal, ruling over the gigantic planet of Majipoor. Yet he still remembers Hissune, the boy who aided him in his time of wandering, and gives him a post in the House of Records. In a catalogue of ancient reports, Hissune discovers the Register of Souls, a repository of millions of memories of long-dead explorers, pioneers, warriors, even Coronals and Pontifexes. He begins to immerse himself into their lives—and finds himself experiencing first-hand the vast history of Majipoor . . . “Majipoor is probably the finest creation of Silverberg’s powerful imagination and certainly one of the most fully realized worlds of modern science fiction.” —Booklist

In the third novel of this acclaimed sci-fi/fantasy series, the ruler of a vast planet faces a threat of war—and conspiracy within his own court. Plagued by nightmares of blizzards and earthquakes besieging the planet Majipoor, Lord Valentine believes these dreams signal the coming of war between his people and the Shapeshifters, who once ruled the planet. For centuries they have conspired to regain their stolen world, and recently they were discovered impersonating members of the kingdom’s inner circle. Since coming to power, Valentine has made peaceful overtures to the Shapeshifters. This has led select members of the royal court to question his loyalties. Now some even want to remove Valentine from his governing role—casting him into the higher, ceremonial office of Pontifex. But if Valentine accepts the mantle of Pontifex and surrenders his position to his successor-in-waiting, he may be remembered as a leader who evaded his duties—and shattered the peace that has reigned for eight thousand years. . . . “[Valentine Pontifex is] a dance of conflicting emotions and political intrigue. Both the world and Lord Valentine have matured, and the trilogy becomes whole in a way that the form rarely achieves.” —The Village Voice “There’s an almost hypnotic grandeur to the thoughtful way Silverberg weaves the strands of the story together, effortlessly jugging the various motifs.” —Publishers Weekly

An absorbing trilogy that introduces new characters—and conflicts—from the vast world of Majipoor: “Brilliant.” —Chicago Sun-Times On the planet Majipoor, it is a time of great change. Coronal Lord Confalume is preparing to make his transition to the higher, ceremonial role of Pontifex. It is no secret that the next Coronal will be Prince Prestimion. By law and custom, Confalume’s son, Korsibar, cannot be his successor. But Korsibar has been given a prophecy that will plunge the planet into a fearsome conflagration: “You will shake the world!” Plotting with his twin sister and their ambitious companions, Korsibar intends to seize the throne by force. But the burdens of the crown and scepter exact more of a price than Korsibar is prepared to pay. Especially when Prestimion, his rival, fights back to take his appointed place . . . “Plotted like a Shakespearian play. . . . With a brand-new cast of characters and engaging conflicts of heart and soul, Silverberg—one of the world’s finest stylists and storytellers—breathes fresh life (and quality) into sci-fi’s sister genre.” —San Antonio Express-News

In the final novel of The Prestimion Trilogy, the succession of Majipoor’s ruler is threatened by a plague of the mind. Since gaining the Starburst Crown, Coronal Lord Prestimion has faced unfathomable challenges as ruler of Majipoor. But now peace has finally been restored to the planet, and it is time for Prestimion to name his successor and descend to the Labyrinth as Pontifex. Though the capable Prince Dekkeret is chosen to become the next Coronal, the transition is imperiled when a dark force reemerges from the past . . . Coronal Prestimion defeated his enemy Dantirya Sambail years ago, but the ignoble jackals who followed him are scheming to reclaim his lost lands and power. At their head is the tyrant’s former henchman Mandralisca, who has unleashed a torrent of dark visions upon Prestimion’s subjects. Otherworldly nightmares invade the sleep of those loyal to the Lords and the Lady of Majipoor, driving them to commit horrible, destructive acts. And the dark wave is flowing ever-closer to the throne atop Castle Mount . . . and into the sacrosanct depths of the Imperial Labyrinth itself. “Robert Silverberg is the Marco Polo of Majipoor. What wonders and adventures he has to tell us, what treasures he brings back from every voyage to that fabulous world.” —Ursula K. Le Guin “In The King of Dreams Robert Silverberg takes us once more into the wonder of Majipoor and proves again that he is a master.” —Robert Jordan

The epic sci-fi fantasy Majipoor Cycle continues with the saga of Lord Prestimion, whose rise to power is beset by war and madness. Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Robert Silverberg returns to the richly imagined world of Majipoor. Collected here in one volume is the complete Prestimion Trilogy, set hundreds of years before the events of the first three novels. In Sorcerers of Majipoor, a peaceful transfer of power is threatened by a cunning rival to the throne. In Lord Prestimion, peace returns to Majipoor, but at a terrible price. And in King of Dreams, Prestimion prepares to ascend to the role of Pontifax as a plague of nightmares spreads across the planet.

Our 105th issue features a pair of original mystery stories, one by Steve Liskow (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken) and one by the late Henry T. Parry (revised and completed by me). Parry published more than two dozen mystery stories from the late 1960s through the early 1980s, and his daughter was kind enough to pass on his unfinished and unpublished work, which will be appearing in BCW in future issues. We also have a mystery tale by Stephen D. Rogers (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman) and a suspense novel, The Horror Expert—a foray into crime noir by noted fantasist Frank Belknap Long. I suspect there are more than a few autobiographical elements! And, of course, we have a solve-it-yourself puzzler from the mighty pen (or word processor) of Hal Charles. On the science fiction side of things, we have a classic novel by British writer J.J. Connington, best known for his mysteries. (I thought it made a nice counterpoint to Long’s crime novel.) It chronicles one man’s attempt to stop a plague from destroying humanity. Plus fantasies by Adrian Cole and Joseph Payne Brennan, and SF shorts by Robert Silverberg and Lin Carter. Quite a fun issue. Here’s the complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “This Year’s Model,” by Steve Liskow [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Jellybean Justice,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Stagnant,” by Stephen D. Rogers [Barb Goffman Presents short story] “Best-Laid Plans,” by Henry T. Parry and John Gregory Betancourt The Horror Expert, by Frank Belknap Long [short story] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Broken Billy,” by Adrian Cole “Age of Anxiety,” by Robert Silverberg [short story] “The Man Who Feared Masks,” by Joseph Payne Brennan [short story] “Owlstone,” by Lin Carter [short story] Nordenholt’s Million, by J. J. Connington [novel]

The Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author delivers a prescient tale that “explores the inanity of conformity with a hopelessly superficial future humankind” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). He was revived, somehow, and thrust into a brand-new world, one in which humans have evolved to breathe underwater, reproduction is quite uncommon, and everyone has standardized their appearance to conform to the presently favored model. He is a rarity, a throwback, with his short legs, hairy body, lopsided face, and scars. He remembers automobiles, tax returns, a family—all the components of an imperfect world. But here and now, he is an object of fascination to be studied by doctors and politicians, and to be wanted by adventurous women. He keeps telling himself that in a country of the beautiful, the ugly man is king. If only he’d listen . . . Praise for Robert Silverberg and his short stories “When Silverberg is at the top of his form, no one is better.” —George R. R. Martin, #1 New York Times–bestselling author “Silverberg’s creative story premises are matched by a remarkable ability to make his characters sympathetic, whether human or not.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “The short stories in Robert Silverberg’s First-Person Singularities are inventive, sublime, and endlessly entertaining.” —Foreword Reviews “Decades after being originally published, most of these stories are still just as entertaining and powerful as they were when first released. A singularly unique collection.” —Kirkus Reviews

An unsuspecting newlywed finds himself the subject of alien scientific study in this humorous tale from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author. After an evening out to dinner, one sultry midsummer eve, Charlie finds himself in the right place at the wrong time: lying underneath an oak tree after making love with his new wife. But while Maria drifts off into dreamland, Charlie finds himself being watched by a one-eyed alien in the branches above. No leering voyeur is this alien; it’s here on research purposes only and has been lucky to observe human copulation. Now it has a favor to ask of Charlie: a personal demonstration. To make the situation more palatable, it transforms into one of Charlie’s beautiful ex-girlfriends. To keep the alien’s eye from wandering to his sleeping wife, Charlie will have to make the ultimate sacrifice . . .

Fantascienza - romanzo breve (67 pagine) - Nalla sua ultima avventura Gilgamesh deve fare affidamento su due alleati molto particolari: Robert E. Howard e H.P. Lovecraft. PREMIO HUGO 1987 Anche gli eroi, i condottieri (e gli scrittori) prima o poi muoiono. Ma la loro storia non finisce lì: continua, all''Inferno. L''Inferno: un luogo senza tempo dove Giulio Cesare gira su una jeep militare, con il mitra a tracolla e due pistole ai fianchi. Dove Robert E. Howard, il creatore di Conan, incontra H.P. Lovecraft e scopre qualcosa di sé stesso. E dove entrambi incontrano il primo eroe epico dell''umanità, il sumero Gilgamesh (che Howard scambia per Conan) insieme al quale dovranno compiere un''avventura per salvare, ancora una volta, il suo amico fraterno Enkidu. Robert Silverberg è unanimemente riconosciuto come uno dei massimi autori della fantascienza contemporanea. Nato a Brooklyn (New York) il 15 gennaio del 1935, iniziò a scrivere SF d''avventura negli anni ''50, diventando ben presto uno degli autori più famosi e prolifici e ottenendo il premio Hugo come autore più promettente del 1956. Durante la metà degli anni sessanta però, spinto dal desiderio di dimostrare a se stesso e agli altri le sue capacità di vero scrittore, e di essere in grado di realizzare anche opere di qualità, Silverberg impresse una svolta decisiva allo stile dei suoi romanzi, iniziando a produrre opere di maggiore impegno umano e letterario. Tra gli scritti più importanti di questo secondo periodo ricordiamo Ali della notte (con cui vinse anche un premio Hugo), Brivido crudele, Torre di cristallo, forse la sua opera più completa e riuscita, Vertice di immortali, Paradosso dei passato, e Mutazione, che si inserisce in quel gruppo di romanzi dedicati da Silverberg alla descrizione e all''esplorazione dell''esperienza mistica della trascendenza.

“Vividly realized and inventive . . . A brooding masterpiece of social science fiction” from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author (Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations). After eight years away from the planet known as Holman’s World, Edmund Gunderson has returned. Before, as the assistant station manager, he helped the Company exploit the bustling colonial outpost for Earth’s gain—mining its riches and putting its native species to work. Now, the planet has been given back to its inhabitants: the intelligent, elephant-like beings known as the nildoror, who peacefully coexist with carnivorous bipeds known as the sulidoror. And Edmund Gunderson has come back to relive his past and meet up with old acquaintances. Or so he says . . . What Gunderson really wants is to witness the rebirth of the nildoror, a sacred ceremony performed in the northern mist country. Given permission from the elders, he travels deeper into the exotic world than he has ever gone before, through tropical jungles teeming with alien creatures. It is a journey that will take Gunderson deep within himself, where his own failings and fears reside, and bring him face to face with the planet’s greatest mysteries—and the evil within men’s souls . . . “Brilliantly imagined . . . One of the finest writers ever to work in science fiction.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tom O’Bedlam “Like all truly superior sci-fi, Downward to the Earth is the sort of novel that just bursts with some imaginative idea or unexpected touch on every single page. It is a terrific feat of the imagination, wonderfully well written by Silverberg, and with fascinating characters, both alien and human.” —Fantasy Literature

Here is a rarity—Robert Silverberg''s first professional story, which appeared in a British magazine in 1954. A strong adventure tale set on an alien world, it shows the strengths the then 18-year-old writer would hone over the coming decades, as he rose through the ranks to become one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time. Includes an introduction by Robert Silverberg.

One of the most persistent legends in the annals of New World exploration is that of the Land of Gold. This mythical site was located over vast areas of South America (and later, North America); the search for it drove some men mad with greed and, as often as not, to their untimely deaths. In this history of quest and adventure, Robert Silverberg traces the fate of Old World explorers lured westward by the myth of El Dorado. From the German conquistadores licensed by the Spanish king to operate out of Venezuela, to the journeys of Gonzalo Pizarro in the Amazon basin, and to the nearly miraculous voyage of Francisco Orellana to the mouth of the Amazon River, encountering the warlike women who gave the river its name, violence and bloodshed accompanied the determined adventurers. Sir Walter Raleigh and a host of other explorers spent small fortunes and many lives trying to locate Manoa, a city that was rumored to be El Dorado—City of Gold. Celebrated science fiction author Robert Silverberg recreates these legendary quests in The Golden Dream: Seekers of El Dorado.

"Gilgamesh in the Outback" is a science fiction novella by American writer Robert Silverberg, a sequel to his novel Gilgamesh the King[ as well as a story in the shared universe series "Heroes in Hell." It won the Hugo Award for Best Novella in 1987 and was also nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1986. Real-life writers Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft feature as characters in the novella.

“A ribald, Byzantine tale of time-tourism” from the multiple Nebula and Hugo Award–winning author (Tor.com). It’s 2059, and former law clerk Jud Elliott finds himself at loose ends—until a chance meeting with a Time Courier gives him the inspiration to become one himself. The job—as a time-traveling guide—gives him the opportunity to indulge his love of Byzantine history, in between shuttling tourists to such monumental events as the crucifixion and the assassination of JFK. But there are strict rules to follow as a Time Courier, put in place to guard against paradoxes and preserve the sanctity of “now-time.” Jud isn’t used to following the rules—especially when faced with temptation. All it takes is one tiny slip here, one misplaced step there, and Jud could destroy his own timeline and cease to exist in the blink of an eye . . . a practicality that’s hard for Jud to grasp when he crosses paths with an eleventh-century Byzantium beauty he can’t resist. “A hugely ambitious, enormously fun, sly, paradox-peppered piece that chronicles the time-tourist trade and all its perils—specializing in Byzantine history.” —Strange Horizons “This novel is a comedy, and it is funny, but it is one of those black comedies where things go wrong, and then the more the protagonist tries to fix things, the more wrong they become, until the ending is at one and the same time an O. Henry punchline and a deep existential truth, neat as a pin and just as sharp.” —Kim Stanley Robinson

A collection of twenty classic stories from the Science Fiction Grand Master who “seems capable of amazements beyond those of mere mortals” (The Washington Post Book World). Needle in a Timestack is Robert Silverberg at his very best—intelligent, inventive, and visionary. This collection showcases his talent for thought-provoking science fiction, ranging in themes from time travel to space travel, the media to mortality. In the titular story—now a feature film by Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley—a jealous ex-husband warps time in a vindictive attempt to destroy his former wife’s new marriage. Thirty-one identical sons have a shocking surprise for their mother in “There Was an Old Woman.” The prophetic “The Pain Peddlers” depicts reality TV in a way that allows viewers to revel in a voyeuristic, adrenaline-fueled rush. Also included are Silverberg’s Hugo Award–winning “Enter a Soldier. Later: Enter Another,” and the Locus Award winner “The Secret Sharer,” a Joseph Conrad–inspired tale of a ship captain drawn into a strange alliance with a stowaway. The New York Times Book Review hailed Silverberg as “the John Updike of science fiction.” The stories in Needle in a Timestack unite us in our humanity, in the face of science, technology, and our own changing culture.

A “dark, restrained, and powerful” mirror of current politics from the Science Fiction Grand Master (Science Fiction Ruminations). In the barren landscape of the late Cambrian period, a penal colony sits high above the ocean on the east coast of what would become the United States. The men—political prisoners—have been sent from the twenty-first century on a one-way ticket to a lifetime of exile. Their lonely existence has taken its toll . . . Jim Barrett was once the physically imposing leader of an underground movement dedicated to toppling America’s totalitarian government. Now he is nothing but a crippled old man, the camp’s de facto ruler due to his seniority. His mind is still sharp, having yet to succumb to the psychosis that claims more and more men each day. So when a new prisoner is transported to the colony—a startlingly young and suspiciously apolitical man—Barrett’s instincts go on high alert. As Barrett reminisces about his revolutionary past, he uncovers the new prisoner’s secrets—and faces a shocking revelation that thrusts him into a future he never dreamed possible . . . “One of the finest writers ever to work in science fiction.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

The definitive collection of the best in science fiction stories between 1929-1964. This book contains twenty-six of the greatest science fiction stories ever written. They represent the considered verdict of the Science Fiction Writers of America, those who have shaped the genre and who know, more intimately than anyone else, what the criteria for excellence in the field should be. The authors chosen for The Science Fiction Hall of Fame are the men and women who have shaped the body and heart of modern science fiction; their brilliantly imaginative creations continue to inspire and astound new generations of writers and fans. Robert Heinlein in "The Roads Must Roll" describes an industrial civilization of the future caught up in the deadly flaws of its own complexity. "Country of the Kind," by Damon Knight, is a frightening portrayal of biological mutation. "Nightfall," by Isaac Asimov, one of the greatest stories in the science fiction field, is the story of a planet where the sun sets only once every millennium and is a chilling study in mass psychology. Originally published in 1970 to honor those writers and their stories that had come before the institution of the Nebula Awards, The Science Fiction Hall Of Fame, Volume One, was the book that introduced tens of thousands of young readers to the wonders of science fiction. Too long unavailable, this new edition will treasured by all science fiction fans everywhere. The Science Fiction Hall Of Fame, Volume One, includes the following stories: Introduction by Robert Silverberg "A Martian Odyssey" by Stanley G. Weinbaum "Twilight" by John W. Campbell "Helen O''Loy" by Lester del Rey "The Roads Must Roll" by Robert A. Heinlein "Microcosmic God" by Theodore Sturgeon "Nightfall" by Isaac Asimov "The Weapon Shop" by A. E. van Vogt "Mimsy Were the Borogoves" by Lewis Padgett "Huddling Place" by Clifford D. Simak "Arena" by Frederic Brown "First Contact" by Murray Leinster "That Only a Mother" by Judith Merril "Scanners Live in Vain" by Cordwainer Smith "Mars is Heaven!" by Ray Bradbury "The Little Black Bag" by C. M. Kornbluth "Born of Man and Woman" by Richard Matheson "Coming Attraction" by Fritz Leiber "The Quest for Saint Aquin" by Anthony Boucher "Surface Tension" by James Blish "The Nine Billion Names of God" by Arthur C. Clarke "It''s a Good Life" by Jerome Bixby "The Cold Equations" by Tom Godwin "Fondly Fahrenheit" by Alfred Bester "The Country of the Kind," Damon Knight "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes "A Rose for Ecclesiastes" by Roger Zelazny At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A thousand years in the future, the earth has been conquered by an alien race and covered by a single sea. Dovirr Stargan, who is disgusted with the servility of his life on the floating city of Vythain, longs to become one of the Sea-Lords, who roam the sea as powerful protectors of the cities. Dovirr gets his wish, but the return of the alien race brings unexpected and critically dangerous crises to his new life as he learns the real, sometimes terrible, significance of power.

This far-future sci-fi saga by a multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master chronicles the perilous rebirth of humanity on a destroyed Earth. Robert Silverberg’s critically acclaimed masterworks have earned him entry into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a place among the genre’s greatest legacies. This classic, two-book saga gazes into a world many millennia from now and spins a mesmerizing tale of survival, evolution, and the ultimate future of humanity. At Winter’s End: For the past 700,000 years, the remaining inhabitants of planet Earth have survived underground, escaping the endless rain of “death stars” that destroyed their civilization—and the world. Now, with the surface finally inhabitable after countless millennia, one tribe’s leader is guiding her people to freedom. But unexpected threats and dark revelations could endanger their long-awaited rebirth. The Queen of Springtime: Hidden below ground for millennia, the People have finally emerged to repopulate the Earth and reclaim their legacy as the dominant species. But the cold, insectile hjjk, who remained on Earth’s surface throughout the frozen eons, will not give up the world they inherited without a fight. The New Springtime series is Robert Silverberg at his very best, showcasing the intelligence, ingenuity, humanism, and extraordinary talents that have won him four Hugo Awards, six Nebulas, and a host of other honors.

By the 23rd century Earth''s population had reached seven billion. Mankind was in danger of perishing for lack of elbow room--unless prompt measures were taken. Roy Walton had the power to enforce those measures. But though his job was in the service of humanity, he soon found himself the most hated man in the world. For it was his job to tell parents their children were unfit to live; he had to uproot people from their homes and send them to remote areas of the world. Now, threatened by mobs of outraged citizens, denounced and blackened by the press, Roy Walton had to make a decision: resign his post, or use his power to destroy his enemies and become a dictator in the hopes of saving humanity from its own folly. In other words, should he become the MASTER OF LIFE AND DEATH?

The Hugo Award–winning author returns to the mythical world of Gilgamesh the King in this adventurous sequel: “An enthralling quest.” —The Times (London) The warrior-king Gilgamesh—part man, part god—is not only larger than life; he is larger than death. Trapped in the Afterworld, a bizarre reality in which everyone who has ever died lives again . . . only to die again and again in endless succession, Gilgamesh sets out to find his lost friend Enkidu and fight his way back to the land of the living. Along the way, he encounters a rogue’s gallery of figures from history, literature, and myth—including H. P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard—and travels from the ancient city of Uruk to modern-day Manhattan. But the Afterworld is not so easily escaped.

A diplomat who successfully negotiated with intelligent aliens finds his loyalty to the human race tested in this novel by a Nebula Award–winning author. Richard Muller was an honorable diplomat who braved unimaginable dangers to make contact with the first-known race of intelligent aliens. But those aliens left a mark on him: a psychic wound that emanates a telepathic miasma his fellow humans can neither cure nor endure. Muller is exiled to the remote planet of Lemnos, where he is left, deeply embittered, at the heart of a deadly maze . . . until a new alien race appears, seemingly intent on exterminating humanity. Only Muller can communicate with them, due to the very condition that has made him an outcast. But will Muller stick his neck out for the people who so callously rejected him?

A tortured man’s visions hold the key to mankind’s future in Robert Silverberg’s post-apocalyptic masterpiece Life in the blasted wasteland of 2103 California is nasty, brutish, and short. If the savage “scratchers” don’t kill you, the poisoned environment will. But one man wanders this desolate landscape and sees beauty: glorious visions of impossible places and majestic beings not of Earth. Scorned and mocked as a madman, Tom doubts his sanity until his visions mysteriously begin to spread to others and a returning star probe offers evidence that they are real. Now, as a new religion is born, with Tom as its reluctant messiah, violent forces are unleashed—forces that have the power to transform humanity . . . or destroy it.

The beings that dwelt on Ganymede didn''t use metals, but they didn''t want to deal with Earthmen, either; and Earth needed those metals. The Ganymedeans were harmless primitives, but that wouldn’t do; pacifying such aliens, and grabbing their metal, wouldn’t go with the public. So Ted Kennedy, of the Steward & Dinoli agency, found himself assigned to produce the biggest sell in history — convince the public that the Ganymedeans were not pathetic, somewhat cute, aliens, but vicious monsters that had to be subdued! This very early work by science fiction Grandmaster Robert Silverberg showcases a young author developing his skills, and gives hints of the great talent that would fully manifest in later years. Over fifty years after its publication, many of this story''s themes retain their relevance and make for an unforgettable reading experience!

A hundred thousand years ago, there had been a planet called Earth. It had been a proud world ruling a thousand vassal stars, but its stellar empire had turned upon and annihilated their conquerors, and wiped the name of Earth from the maps of space. But Earthmen still survived . . . a strange race of worldless men and women, by tradition advisers to rulers, but never themselves ruling. Wanderers through myriad planets, their origin was a half-forgotten legend. That was the situation when a strange quirk of fate sent Earthman Hallam Navarre on an interstellar wild goose chase. He had to bring back a strictly mythical treasure to his alien ruler, or die.

Hugo and Nebula Award Finalist: This tale of an encounter between a probability expert and a psychic is “a treasure” (San Francisco Examiner). Lew Nichols can predict the future. Not see the future, just make predictions based on research and statistics. Nichols is damn good at it, though, and his accuracy makes him a valuable addition to Paul Quinn’s political campaign for New York City Mayor and possibly the White House. But, when Nichols meets eccentric millionaire Martin Carvajal, predictions suddenly seem petty and flippant. You see, Carvajal can actually see the future—not trends, not options—a signal line of events stretching out ahead. It’s a gift Nichols can learn from this “mentor,” but at what price? Will knowing the future make the present meaningless?

A New York Times Notable Book: A far-future coming-of-age tale from the SF Grand Master, “one of the world’s finest stylists and storytellers” (San Antonio Express-News). “What wonders and adventures he has to tell us,” is how Ursula K. Le Guin characterized the work of Robert Silverberg, and in The Longest Way Home, he takes readers on another dazzling odyssey. Joseph, fifteen and separated from his family in the land known as Getfen, awakens to an attack on the Great House in which he is visiting. Narrowly escaping with his life but still pursued by enemies who wish to see him killed, Joseph must journey across a dark, unfamiliar world on his quest to return to his home of Helikis and his father. He has thousands of miles to travel and much to learn about this perilous alien world in transition—and about himself. “What the greatly changed Joseph might find at the end of his journey, and how he might react, are questions that I came to care deeply about.” —The New York Times Book Review “The Longest Way Home recalls, in a lot of ways, the old-time frontier adventures, not the ones with the cowboys and the Indians, but the ones where people have to learn to survive in the wilderness or along the prairie. [Joseph’s] adventures in survival are exciting, and the travels along this world are a pleasant escape.” —SF Site “This engaging, entertaining book is a fast read with many thoughtful themes.” —School Library Journal

This sprawling, episodic novel by the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author is a “tour de force sci-fi outing . . . a wonderful read” (Fantasy Literature). 2077. With Earth reeling from centuries of unregulated population growth and environmental decimation, a new religion has taken root. The Vorsters worship science and the material world over all else, searching for the promise of immortality through new technology and the promise of heaven among the physical stars. But on Venus, a renegade sect has found its home. The Harmonists find the answers to life’s eternal questions in their own spirituality and in their own bodies, which have undergone genetic changes on Venus, giving them paranormal abilities. With humanity’s future at stake, religion becomes a political business, and both groups will have to face their motivations and manipulations when a shocking discovery threatens the balance of power in the universe. “The absorbing story of an overpopulated and economically depressed world clinging to the outcome of a religious schism for its salvation.” —sff180