In his previous science-fiction novel,
Last and First Men, Olaf Stapledon envisioned 2 billion years of history, in which modern humans represented the first and most primitive of 18 increasingly advanced species. In this companion piece, a being from the remote future travels back to the 20th century to inhabit the consciousness of an Englishman named Paul. From inside his subject's mind, the superintelligent mega-human observes Paul's childhood, his experiences during World War I, and his postwar life as a teacher. The narrative provides a compelling commentary on modern life, the horrors of warfare, and the disintegrating state of Western society.
British philosopher William Olaf Stapledon (1886–1950) introduced several innovative concepts to the science-fiction genre, and his books influenced Arthur C. Clarke, Brian Aldiss, C. S. Lewis, John Maynard Smith, and many others. In this science-fictional self-portrait, he offers a captivating combination of memory, imagination, and social criticism.
Reprint of the Methuen & Co. Ltd., London, 1932 edition.
Availability | Usually ships in 24 to 48 hours |
ISBN 10 | 0486476014 |
ISBN 13 | 9780486476018 |
Author/Editor | Olaf Stapledon |
Format | Book |
Page Count | 288 |
Dimensions | 5 3/16 x 8 1/4 |