Showing results by author "Poul Anderson" in All Categories

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.

Earth lies crushed in the grip of totalitarianism. To save her planet, Kyra Davis is sent on a mission to liberate the last bastion of freedom and to rescue its legendary leader. Her bold adventure will sweep her from Earth’s rebel enclaves to the decadent court of an exotic lunar colony.

The immortals are 10 individuals born in antiquity from various cultures. Immune to disease, able to heal themselves from injuries, they will never die of old age - although they can fall victim to catastrophic wounds. They have walked among mortals for millennia, traveling across the world, trying to understand their special gifts while searching for one another in the hope of finding some meaning in a life that may go on forever.

No longer a brash, young ensign, Captain Dominic Flandry has risen in rank but now appreciates fully that the Terran empire is old and tired, wanting to be left in peace. But the enemies it has made and the competing empire of Merseia will give it no peace. Too evenly matched for open warfare not to destroy them both, the opponents engage in subtle thrust and counter-thrust, feint and counter-feint, with Flandry in the thick of it.

This collection of classic science-fiction stories from the 1950s and 1960s features three imaginative novellas from some of the pioneers of the genre.

Captain Dominic Flandry has been knighted for his many services to the Terran Empire - an empire which is old, jaded, and corrupt, as Flandry well knows - but he also knows that the empire is better than anything that is likely to take its place. And while that "Sir" before his name may be an added attraction to comely ladies (not that he has ever lacked for the pleasant company of the same), he expects that it will also bring him less welcome attention from envious "colleagues" within the empire.

Poul Anderson was one of America's premier science-fiction and fantasy writers. This collection shows his incredible versatility, with everthing from a humorous short story to two sci-fi/fantasy novellas. Titles in this collection are: "The Sentitive Man", "Duel on Syrtis", "Witch of the Demon Seas", "The Burning Bridge", "Industrial Revolution", "The Virgin of Valkarion", "Security", "Sentiment, Inc", and "Innocent at Large".

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.

With "wonderfully logical detail...exciting storytelling and moving characterization" (Anthony Boucher), science fiction master Poul Anderson explores what happens when the next stage of evolution is thrust upon humanity and animals. As Earth passes out of a magnetic field that has suppressed intelligence for eons, the mental capacity for all mammals increases exponentially, radically changing the structures of society.

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.

These stories are set in the familiar quasi-medieval worlds to which modern listeners are accustomed, and also stories rooted in the authentic myth-constructs of high antiquity, along with several that depend for their power on the juxtaposition of fantastic situations and terribly contemporary aspects of modern life on Earth. Together these stories make up a collection which provides reassuring proof of fantasy's eternal power in this technological age.

Many centuries in the future, no great destiny for humankind exists on Earth. The Lunarians, genetically engineered human adaptations bred to survive on the moon, have spread out toward the stars. But not even their colony on distant Proserpina is free from the suffocating influence of the Teramind, the vast network of intelligent machines that preserves order and logic in the universe.

Sci Fi Shorts is a collection of classic science fiction stories from the golden age of space stories. This group of five unabridged short stories by various authors covers such adventures as space-going disasters, culture-shocked Martians, minds being stolen, alien flying cities and ancient artefacts being discovered in the far future.

Artificial intelligence has been developed to a point where human intelligence can be uploaded into a computer, achieving a sort of hybrid immortality. Astronaut Christian Brannock welcomes this technology, technology that will make it possible for him to achieve his dream and explore the stars.

One man against the limitless wastes of time, he fought the strange, inhuman civilizations of Earth's unguessable future, searching hopelessly among the never-ending tomorrows-for the road to one unforgettable yesterday!

Anderson includes Wizards, Witches, Monsters, Fish-people, blackmail, battles and scheming, all taking place on a faraway planet in this fast-paced and engaging tale. No wonder he was the winner of seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards.

An action-packed and knowledgeable sci-fi tale by multi award-winning and prolific author Poul William Anderson. The story is set in the not too distant future. Earth has been conquered and the rather too humanoid new rulers extract heavy taxes, control the industry and even reproduction... Something has to be done! But there are those who are against this.

Poul Anderson began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. He also authored several works of fantasy, and many short stories. He received numerous awards for his writing, including seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. The Virgin of Valkarion first appeared in the magazine Planet Stories in 1951.

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 simply from a change in the many associations which make up our present viewpoint. Now, suppose these associations could be altered artificially, at the option of the person who was in charge of the process.

Renowned sci-fi writer Poul Anderson came up with a gem of an idea for this story. Is Simon Delgatty human or alien? His quest to rescue his kidnapped human father is thwarted when he himself becomes a prisoner. His training at the Psychotechnic Institute is put to the test as he tries to thwart a megalomaniac’s evil plan and rescue his father. Even the FBI gets involved in the form of a beautiful young agent.