Book description
These stories share a common concept: man has dreamed for centuries
about space flight, about happiness, about immortality. If only I could
fly to the moon, he has told himself, if only I could find true
happiness, if only I could live forever ... then I would be like a god.
These stories, however, go on to demonstrate that every dream come true
brings unforeseen consequences. The power of man to dream and make his
dreams come true is unlimited, but each step forward must be paid for,
there is no such thing as a free lunch, and some dreams are nightmares.
James Gunn has worked as an editor of paperback reprints; as managing
editor of Kansas University alumni publications; as director of K. U.
public relations; as a professor of English; and now is professor
emeritus of English and director of the Center for the Study of Science
Fiction. He won national awards for his work as an editor and a director
of public relations. He was awarded the Byron Caldwell Smith Award in
recognition of literary achievement and the Edward Grier Award for
excellence in teaching; was president of the Science Fiction Writers of
America for 1971-72 and president of the Science Fiction Research
Association from 1980-82; has been guest of honor at many regional SF
conventions, including SFeracon in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, and Polcon, the
Polish National SF convention, in Katowice; was presented the Pilgrim
Award of SFRA in 1976; a special award from the 1976 World SF Convention
for ALTERNATE WORLDS; a Science Fiction Achievement Award (Hugo) by the
1983 World SF Convention for ISAAC ASIMOV: THE FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENCE
FICTION; and the Eaton Award in 1992 for lifetime achievement; was a K.
U. Mellon Fellow in 1981 and 1984; and served from 1978-80 and
1985-present as chairman of the Campbell Award jury to select the best
science fiction novel of the year. He has lectured in Denmark, China,
Iceland, Japan, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Yugoslavia,
and the Soviet Union for the U. S. Information Agency.
