The Stars Are Also Fire, Poul Anderson
The Stars Are Also Fire, Poul Anderson
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
Club: $14.99

The Stars Are Also Fire

Author: Poul Anderson

Narrator: James Fouhey

Unabridged: 21 hr 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/12/2021


Synopsis

Humans and their genetically altered descendants struggle to find their place in a universe controlled by a benevolent artificial intelligence in this brilliant classic of future speculation.

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. Over a span of five centuries, tensions have increased in the wake of the political and technological revolutions that reshaped their universe. And suddenly radical change is in the offing once more, as a secret kept hidden since the earliest days of Lunar colonization is about to be revealed—one that could effectively shut down the cybercosm and plunge the universe into chaos.

About Poul Anderson

Poul Anderson (1926-2001) grew up bilingual in a Danish American family. After discovering science fiction fandom and earning a physics degree at the University of Minnesota, he found writing science fiction more satisfactory. Admired for his hard science fiction, mysteries, historical novels, and "fantasy with rivets," he also excelled in humor. He was the guest of honor at the 1959 World Science Fiction Convention and at many similar events, including the 1998 Contact Japan 3 and the 1999 Strannik Conference in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Besides winning the Hugo and Nebula Awards, he received the Gandalf, Seiun, and Strannik, or "Wanderer," Awards. A founder of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, he became a Grand Master, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Joshua on September 07, 2011

Despite what other reviewers might say, this book is far from being Libertarian/Objectivist propaganda. Rather, despite the viewpoint mostly sticking with the libertarianish crowds, Anderson does a superb job of presenting both sides of the argument. There are very few villians here, if any; and whil......more

Goodreads review by Michael on June 04, 2024

I got to be a little bored with Harvest of Stars but figured that the next book would be a bit more interesting once the backstories were established. What I got was a convoluted narrative with way too much preaching of libertarianism and not enough narrative. The story was rather confusing and I ha......more

Goodreads review by Kevin on May 12, 2022

The Earth/Luna system is comprised of at least three distinct intelligences: Humans (augmented or not); enhanced species like the Keiki Moana (seal humans); and the machine intelligences of the Teramind - the sophotects. Lunarians are Moon-adapted humans who have designs on running the Lunar mines a......more

Goodreads review by Johnny on July 25, 2008

Poul Anderson is vastly underappreciated. And prolific. This book is epic. You've got transcendent artificial intelligence, interstellar colonization, hard astronomy, bioengineering, sex, talking seals, genetically regressed mormon robber barons. Hell yeah.......more

Goodreads review by Kevin on May 28, 2013

A gripping and nuanced exploration of humanity's long-term options. Anderson convincingly shows how human imagination and dogged stubbornness eventually knock down the most daunting obstacles. Along with "Harvest of Stars," this is a must-read for anyone interested in technology and politics.......more