Book description
Like two giants the old enemies faced each other across the reaches of
the galaxy - the Terran Empire and the Ythrian Domain. Terra was a
Leviathan, encroaching ever further among the stars, promising peace and
prosperity - but at the price of freedom. Ythri was smaller, but an
empire in its own right, peopled by birdlike beings with a civilisation
and intellect that easily matched Terra's own. And between the
adversaries lay Avalon. One single planet, inhabited by human and Ythri
alike. Both sides wanted to claim Avalon, by persuasion or by force, for
it was a key world that could turn the tide of the war. But Avalon had
developed a unique culture, a powerful blend of human and Ythrian
thought. And Avalon had ideas of its own.... Poul Anderson (1926-2001)
was born in Pennsylvania of Scandinavian stock. He started publishing
science fiction in 1947 and became one the great figures in the genre,
serving as President of the Science Fiction Writers of America, winning
multiple Hugo and Nebula awards, and was named a SFWA Grand Master. He
collaborated regularly with wife, Karen, and their daughter is married
to noted SF writer Greg Bear. Poul Anderson died in July 2001.
