"No one ever wrote like Smith, with his special blend of intense myth-making and rich invention!"—Publishers WeeklyCordwainer Smith was one of the original visionaries to think of humanity in terms of thousands of years in the future, spread out across the universe. This brilliant collection, often cited as the first of its kind, explores fundamental questions about ourselves and our treatment of the universe (and other beings) around us and ultimately what it means to be ...

Welcome to Old North Australia, or Norstrilia, the only planet that has "stroon," a substance that indefinitely delays aging in humans. Stroon is cultivated from huge, deformed sheep farmed by the wealthiest estate owners to ever exist in all of humanity's existence.Rod McBan is the last of one of the oldest and most honorable families on Norstrilia. But he himself has shortcomings that would normally have led to his death under the strict laws governing population control on a pla...

Cordwainer Smith was one pseudonym of Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, a U.S. Army officer, scholar on East Asian matters, classmate of L. Ron Hubbard, advisor and godson of Sun Yat-Sen, and an expert in psychological warfare. His identity remained a secret until shortly before his death.Though his writing was cut short by his relatively early death, his stories, mostly concerning a far future involving a millennia-spanning "Instrumentality of Mankind," were nominated for two Hugo aw...

A must-read for any science fiction fan, The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume Two (published in two volumes, A & B) is a compilation of twenty-two of the best novellas published between 1895 and 1962.The two volumes were originally published in 1973 (Two-A) and 1974 (Two-B) after the stories were selected by a vote of the membership of the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA, now known as the Science Fiction and ...

Cats distract us. Cats make us think of things outside of ourselves. And cats love to involve themselves in human affairs.In this omnibus volume of WMG Publishing's notable series, The Year of the Cat, felines of all stripes pounce and play and stalk through 100 cat stories in genres ranging from light romance to dark crime and everything in between.Entertaining cats, loving cats, even super-talented and time-traveling cats grace the pages of these twelve volumes edited by ...

In "The Boy Who Bought Old Earth," Cordwainer Smith weaves a tapestry of intricate narratives set within his celebrated Instrumentality universe. The novella explores the themes of destiny, identity, and social hierarchy, revealing a future where humanity has diverged into various forms. Smith's elegant prose juxtaposes the highly sophisticated structures of his world with the raw emotion of the characters, providing a literary style that is both poetic and profound. Through the eyes of a ...

When space explorer Angary Gustible stumbles upon a planet of telepathic duck people, hilarity and intergalactic tension ensue. The inhabitants embarrass Gustible by dramatizing his personal life and follow him back to Earth with appetites for human cuisine. This satirical sci-fi explores the trials of first contact, cultural misunderstandings, and the limits of diplomacy when both species find the other quite tasty.

"Scanners Live in Vain" is a compelling novella that delves into a dystopian future where human emotions are suppressed through technology in the name of societal stability. Cordwainer Smith employs a rich and imaginative prose style that blends science fiction with elements of myth and philosophical inquiry. The narrative is set within his broader literary universe known as the Instrumentality, where the interplay between human values and technological advancements raises profound questio...

In Cordwainer Smith's thought-provoking novella, "Think Blue, Count Two," readers are drawn into a richly imagined universe that explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the complexities of human-machine relationships. Written with Smith's signature lyrical style, the narrative blends speculative fiction with existential inquiry, examining how individuals might navigate a future where reality and illusion intermingle. Set within the broader context of Smith's own unique work in the ...

Galactic empires. Mighty heroes blasting their way to victory. Galaxy-spanning quests. They're all essential ingredients for a space opera! Here are 6 classic novellas from the pulps, showcasing galaxy-spanning adventures. Included are:"Thunder to Venus," by Joseph J. Millard"The Last Outpost," by Nelson S. Bond"Martian Adventure," by Robert Moore Williams"A Planet Named Shayol," by Cordwainer Smith"The Superstition Seeders," by Edward Wellen"And ...

In "On the Sand Planet," Cordwainer Smith crafts a mesmerizing tale set in the expansive universe of his Instrumentality series, immersing readers in a landscape where human existence intertwines with the enigmatic forces of the cosmos. Employing a distinctive lyrical style, Smith's narrative is rich in symbolism and philosophical inquiry, reflecting the genre's intersection of science fiction and myth. The novel explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the cyclical nature of life amid ...

This issue features original mysteries by O’Neil De Noux and Shannon Taft (thanks to our Acquiring Editors, Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman), a Gil Brewer crime classic, and another entry in the Biff Brewer mystery series by Andy Adams. And what issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself puzzler from Hal Charles?On the more fantastic side of things, you might say things have gone to the birds…we have a pair of classic avian-themed stories by Cordwainer Smith and Richard M...