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In They Shall Have Stars, humankind's will to explore space is renewed with the advent of two discoveries: anti-gravity (the "spindizzy" machines) and the key to almost eternal life (anti-agathic drugs). By A Life for the Stars, centuries have passed and most of the major cities have built spindizzies into their bedrock and left earth, cruising the galaxy looking for work, much like the hobos of the Depression Era. Earthman, Come Home, told from the perspective of John Amalfi, the major of New York, was the first-written of the novels and--although not as tightly woven as the other segments--is still a masterly work. Blish gives the same weight and authority both to the sweeping cultural change wrought and suffered by the cities, and to the emotional growth of a man who is several hundred years old. We stay with Amalfi for the final episode, The Triumph of Time. New York is now planet-bound in the Greater Magellanic Cloud, but when Amalfi learns of the impending destruction of time itself, he is forced into space one more time, to take a last, desperate chance. The novel ends, literally, with a bang.
Despite the occasional, inevitable anachronism, such as vacuum tubes, Cities in Flight stands up remarkably well to modern reading. The novel's political and literary sophistication was unmatched in its time; there is very little to rival it even today. For most readers of a certain age, this was probably the first SF they encountered that was written from a mature standpoint and adult sensibility. The fact that Blish also manages to tell a fabulous, galaxy-spanning adventure tale makes this essential reading. --Luc Duplessis
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. James Blish's galaxy-spanning masterwork, originally published in four volumes, explores a future in which two crucial discoveries - antigravity devices which enable whole cities to be lifted from the Earth to become giant spaceships and longevity drugs which enable their inhabitants to live for thousands of years - lead to the establishment of a unique Galactic empire. One of the very best must-read SF novels of all time. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780575094178
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780575094178
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. BRAND NEW ** SUPER FAST SHIPPING FROM UK WAREHOUSE ** 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Seller Inventory # 9780575094178-GDR
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. One of the very best must-read SF novels of all time. Seller Inventory # B9780575094178
Book Description Condition: New. 2010. Paperback. One of the very best must-read SF novels of all time. Series: S.F. Masterworks. Num Pages: 640 pages. BIC Classification: FL. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 196 x 129 x 38. Weight in Grams: 446. . . . . . Seller Inventory # V9780575094178
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 7.76x5.00x1.42 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0575094176
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0575094176