This collection offers a captivating journey into the realm of science fiction short stories, exploring the frontiers of human knowledge and technological advancement. The author is celebrated for their mastery of hard science fiction, meticulously crafting scientific concepts and their societal implications. Readers can expect tales brimming with innovative ideas that provoke thought while delivering thrilling entertainment. This body of work has defined modern science fiction and continues to inspire generations of readers and creators.
Renowned for his contributions to hard science fiction, Larry Niven has earned acclaim from notable figures like Arthur C. Clarke, who named him his favorite writer. The Baltimore Sun and Kirkus Reviews recognize Niven as the leading author in the genre, while Gregory Benford describes him as a defining personality in science fiction over the past few decades. His work continues to influence and inspire readers and writers alike.
On an L.A. talk show Arthur C. Clarke was once asked to name his favorite writer. His answer was "Larry Niven". Countless others agree. The Baltimore Sun and Kirkus Reviews have both dubbed Niven "the premier writer of hard SF", and Gregory Benford has hailed him as "the paradigm of SF personality of the last several decade".Now Larry Niven presents us with his undisputed masterwork. N-Space contains, very simply, the best SF of his career, marvelous fiction, a wealth of anecdotes and gossip, plus Niven's own special brand of wit and excitement. This retrospective collection features such classic tales of science fiction as "Inconstant Moon" and "The Hole Man", previously uncollected works including the novellas "Brenda" and "The Kiteman", and essays, anecdotes, and observations.Contents: *Introduction: The Maker of Worlds (1990) • essay by Tom Clancy *On Niven (1992) • essay by Frederik Pohl, Steven Barnes, David Brin, John Hertz, Wendy All, Gregory Benford *Dramatis Personae (1990) • essay by Larry Niven *Foreword: Playgrounds for the Mind (1990) • essay by Larry Niven *From World of Ptavvs (excerpt) (1990) / shortfiction by Larry Niven *Bordered in Black (1966) / shortstory by Larry Niven *Convergent Series (1967) / shortstory by Larry Niven (variant of The Long Night) *All the Myriad Ways [Time Travel - Parallel Universe] (1968) / shortstory by Larry Niven *From A Gift From Earth (Excerpt) (1990) / shortfiction by Larry Niven *The Meddler (1968) / novelette by Larry Niven *Passerby [State] (1969) / shortstory by Larry Niven *Down in Flames (1969) • essay by Larry Niven *From Ringworld (Excerpt) (1990) / shortfiction by Larry Niven *The Fourth Profession (1971) / novelette by Larry Niven *"Shall We Indulge in Rishathra?" (1978) / shortfiction by Larry Niven; • interior artwork by William Rotsler *Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex (1969) • essay by Larry Niven *Inconstant Moon (1971) / novelette by Larry Niven *What Can You Say About Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers? (1971) / shortstory by Larry Niven *Cloak of Anarchy [Known Space] (1972) / shortstory by Larry Niven *From Protector (excerpt) (1990) / shortfiction by Larry Niven *The Hole Man (1974) / shortstory by Larry Niven *Night on Mispec Moor [State] (1974) / shortstory by Larry Niven *Flare Time (1978) / novella by Larry Niven *The Locusts (1979) / novelette by Larry Niven, Steven Barnes *From The Mote in God's Eye (excerpt) (1990) / shortfiction by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle *Building the Mote in God's Eye [A Step Farther Out] (1976) • essay by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle *Brenda (1988) / novella by Larry Niven *The Return of William Proxmire (1989) / shortstory by Larry Niven *The Tale of the Jinni and the Sisters (1988) / shortstory by Larry Niven *Madness Has Its Place [Man-Kzin Wars] (1990) / novelette by Larry Niven *Niven's Laws (1990 version) (1990) • essay by Larry Niven *The Kiteman [Integral Trees] (1990) / novelette by Larry Niven *The Alien in Our Minds (1987) • essay by Larry Niven *Space (1990) • essay by Larry Niven *Bibliography of Larry Niven (1990) • essay by uncredited.