Fragile and Distant Suns: A Poul Anderson Collection

A collection of science fiction stories written by acclaimed author Poul Anderson.

Poul Anderson is best known for sci-fi adventure stories in which larger-than-life characters succeed gleefully or fail heroically.

Anderson's also famous for writing 'Call Me Joe' (not included in this volume) which featured the premise of a paralyzed man whose mind is remotely controlling an alien body. This same theme also appears in James Cameron's 2009 movie "Avatar" - similar enough that some reviewers are calling for Anderson to receive some form of credit.

Included in this volume:

Story One: The Burning Bridge — A fleet of humans are bound for a distant planet to colonize. The colonists have left because of political and social discrimination.

They are about at the midpoint of their journey and losing contact with earth. Most are in life suspension.

Unexpectedly, a message is received from Earth which details a change in the political situation ending a key discriminatory issue.

Do they continue to the unsettled planet and suffer the deprivation and dangers of a new environment? Or should they turn back, knowing Earth is decades away and each day they delay a decision puts them many hundreds of thousands of miles distant from it?

Story Two: Security — In a world where Security is all-important, nothing can ever be secure. A mountain-climbing vacation may wind up in deep Space. Or loyalty may prove to be high treason. But it has its rewards.

Story Three: The Valor of Cappen Varra — It's been said that there are many and strange shadows, memories surviving from dim pasts. Poul Anderson turns to a legend from the Northern countries, countries where even today the pagan past seems only like yesterday, and tells the story of Cappen Varra, who came to Norren a long, long time ago.

Story Four: Industrial Revolution — Ever think how deadly a thing it is if a machine has amnesia; or how easily it can be arranged...

Story Five: Early to Rise (also released as The Man Who Came Early) — Time travel story about an American soldier stationed in Iceland. He's accidentally transported back to ancient Iceland and tries to survive using his skills from his own time. Notable for being one of the best descriptions of how time travel is likely to turn out.

These are the original and unabridged versions of these classic science fiction treasures. A must-have for fans of classic sci-fi!