The four Planet of Adventure volumes chronicle Adam Reith's saga on the planet Tschai, under the amber glow of the star Carina 4269. Reith is a Terran first-in scout stranded on a planet which he learns is now occupied, after an ancient struggle which has come to a standstill, by three technically advanced cultures who now guardedly share the surface while the original inhabitants- the mysterious Pnume- dwell in subterranean depths. On Tschai, Reith discovers to his surprise (and disgust) ...

The Dying Earth Omnibus includes some of Vance's most influential work, including "Mazirian the Magician" (originally published as "The Dying Earth", a collection of six short stories "Turjan of Miir", "Mazirian the Magician", "T'sais", "Liane the Wayfarer", "Ulan Dhor Ends a Dream", and "Guyal of Sfere"), "Cugel the Clever" ("Eyes of the Overworld"), "Rhialto the Marvellous" (containing three short stories "The Murthe", "Fader's Waft", and "Morreion"), and "Cugel: the Skybreak Spatterligh...

For centuries the breathtakingly beautiful planet Cadwal has been held in trust by a centuries-old Charter of Conservancy, created by the now-defunct Naturalist Society on Old Earth.Over time, restrictions on population expansion written into the Charter have become irksome to some who live on Cadwal—those who would take the unexploited wealth of Cadwal for themselves, also those forced to leave the planet to keep population in check.Glawen Clattuc grows to manhood within t...

In a far-off future, criminals have the freedom to pursue their most violent passions among the civilized worlds of the Oikumene, assured that justice cannot follow when they escape into the lawless Beyond—a vast playground where the most elusive and monomaniacal murderers, thieves, and slavers can conquer a world of their own, play out complex fantasies of bloodlust, pursue revenge and immortality over generations, give themselves to a psychotic world of self-absorption, and devalue their...

Each major advance in the technology of communication or transportation has brought profound transformations and dislocations to human society. Three of science fiction's greatest authors--Larry Niven, Jack Vance, John Brunner--explore what would happen if teleportation were invented.Suppose it were possible, technologically and economically, to transport oneself to any point on the earth's surface in virtually instantaneous travel? Let us have trips in time as well as in space... ...

First in the Dying Earth series: The sci-fi classic from the SFWA Grandmaster, praised as "the greatest living SF writer" by George R. R. Martin.Jack Vance was one of the most remarkable talents to ever grace the world of science fiction. His unique, stylish voice has been beloved by generations of readers.One of his enduring classics is his Mazirian the Magician (previously titled The Dying Earth), and its sequels—a fascinating, baroque t...

Time and technology will change the role of the modern literary private investigator. Rather than don a trench coat, engage in snooping, interrogation, prying, and producing disheartening snapshots, detectives of the future will by necessity command stealth and a variety of arcane techniques to satisfy their stingy and demanding clients, who seek results over interstellar distances.Miro Hetzel is a special breed of investigator—an Effectuator, one who goes beyond mere fact-finding ...

Zeshonderd jaar geleden werd Grote Planeet ontdekt: een enorme bewoonbare wereld met een omtrek van drie keer die van de Aarde, maar met vergelijkbare massa en zwaartekracht dankzij het ontbreken van metalen en zware elementen in haar samenstelling. Er volgde een exodus: alle minderheden, cultussen en fanatici die zich door de Aardse samenleving gehinderd, beperkt of buitengesloten voelden, emigreerden naar Grote Planeet. Op de weidse landmassa's stichtten ze er hun eigen gemeenschappen di...

Een schriel mannetje op leeftijd met witte haren, een zorgvuldig gecultiveerde sik en fattige maniertjes: niet het voorkomen dat je zou verwachten van een interstellaire speurneus, befaamd wiskundige, beruchte schelm en levensgenieter. Maar wee de tegenstander die het geslepen intellect van Magnus Ridolph onderschat... In deze tien verhalen aanvaardt Magnus Ridolph, immer krap bij kas, een aantal verbijsterende opdrachten: van het stopzetten van de rituele oorlogvoering tussen de 81 krijge...

A collection of Vance's early short stories, including The World-Thinker (1944), I'll Build Your Dream Castle (1946), The God and the Temple Robber (1946), Men of the Ten Books (1949), Seven Exits from Bocz (1949), Telek (1951), The Secret (1951), Noise (1952), D.P. (1951), The Absent Minded Professor (1953), The Devil on Salvation Bluff (1954), The Phantom Milkman (1955), Where Hesperus Falls (1955), A Practical Man's Guide (1956), and The House Lords (1956).Cover art by Tais Teng

De Lekthwans, een van de talrijke mensachtige rassen die de melkweg bevolken, hebben handelsposten opgericht op de Aarde en delen bereidwillig hun superieure wetenschap en technologie met de Aardbewoners. In vergelijking met Lekthwa is de Aarde nog maar net het barbarendom ontstegen en alle menselijke kennis is ofwel achterhaald of verouderd. Daar heeft de koppige Roy Barch het moeilijk mee. In dienst van Markel, de handelscommissaris van Lekthwa in Californië, worstelt Barch met een minde...

After crashing on Tschai, Adam Reith's scout ship is impossibly damaged. Reith must find another vessel to return to Earth. Having rescued the beautiful Ylin-Ylan, Reith is assured of assistance from her father if he delivers her back to Cath; but as events unfold, he is forced to make a dangerous choice. Inevitably he must risk everything against the enigmatic Wannek - and their devious human servants, the Wannekmen.he Wannek is part 2 of 4 of Tschai.Tschai is a planet orbiting the star C...