Cover: Tom Kidd. Edited by Terry Dowling and Jonathan Strahan.
Nebula and World Fantasy Grand
Master Jack Vance is one of the most admired and cherished writers of
science fiction and fantasy in the world, and is one of the truly
important and influential storytellers of the 20th century.
From his first published story
"The World Thinker" in 1945 to his final novel Lurulu in 2004, Vance
has shown an astonishing range of inventiveness, versatility and sheer
storytelling power, as well as a gift for language and world-building
second to none. Winner of the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy and Edgar
awards, his acclaimed first book The Dying Earth and its sequels helped
shape the face of modern heroic fantasy for generations of readers –
and writers! In more than sixty novels, he has done more than any other
author to define science fantasy and its preeminent form: the planetary
adventure.
Born in San Francisco in 1916,
Vance wrote much of what you'll find between these covers both abroad
and at home in the hills above Oakland, either while serving in the
merchant marine or traveling the world with his wife Norma, all the
while pursuing his great love of fine cuisine and traditional jazz.
Now, at last, the very best of
Vance's mid-length and shorter work has been collected in a single
landmark volume. With a Preface by Vance himself and a foreword by
long-time Vance reader George R. R. Martin, it stands as the capstone to
a splendid career and makes the perfect introduction to a very special
writer.
