Book description
It's an age where high tech rules supreme. Computers do all the work
while humans spend their lives enjoying drug-induced fantasies. Only a
handful live and work in the traditional sense - managing the few
affairs that still need attention. At the center of this system is the
Mnemonist, the man who directs everything that happens. But now he has
reached an advanced age and must carefully choose a dreamer capable of
taking over his crucial position. 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.
