David Brin

Al Morris is a private investigator - an exceptionally busy private investigator. Luckily, he lives in a world where it is possible to produce disposable clones or multiple copies of yourself for a million and one essential tasks. However, Al's 'dittos' aren't coming up with enough answers, some aren't coming back at all and Al is becoming increasingly worried. As he penetrates deeper into the seedy underside of international commerce and corruption, self-reliance with a dash of immortality may no longer be enough ...

We never expected that inventing Star-Drive would lead to this We were first Humans invented star drive, bringing light and movement to the galaxy, forging a grand alliance with all races. (Well, most of them.) It seemed the galaxy was ours to lead and to share Till we met demmies. Oh, they're not so bad. They mean well. Impulsive and exasperating, sure. Often brilliant, cheeky, moronic, volatile, always astonishing... did I mention exasperating? And lucky. Gradually, it dawned on humanity-- Hey, that's what WE wanted to be In ancient sci-fi dreams, we pictured ourselves as the impulsive-lucky ones, not wise-patient elders. Only now... ... they reverently call Earthlings "the Ancient Ones." And demmies are having all the fun Dr. Alvin Montessori is Human Advisor aboard the mostly demmie-crewed star cruiser Clever Gamble, orbiting Oxytocin 41, where something weird is going on. It starts when the crew unreels a humongous hose down to the surface... ... and their first contact team discovers a whole lot of 'something weird.'

In this classic hard science fiction-thriller by the New York Times-bestselling author of Startide Rising, a man-made black hole threatens the future of Earth. Scientist Alex Lustig has created a tiny, yet very destructive, problem--a microscopic black hole that he accidentally dropped into Earth's core. Now, racing to keep it from consuming the planet, he begins to suspect something even stranger is going on. Something linked to civilization's expanding information web. And with the planet overpopulated and neglect taking its toll on the environment, there are those who demand a harsh solution: that Mother Earth would be better off without humanity at all . . . A Finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel"The Moby-Dick of the whole Earth movement." --Locus "A powerful, cautionary tale." --San Francisco Chronicle "Brin has conceived his story on a supremely ambitious scale, and executed it with all of the skills at his command." --Chicago Sun-Times "It is indeed a book that anyone interested in the survival of our terrifying species should read." --Interzone

A woman faces danger on the high seas of another planet--and a mystery that will change her world--in this adventure by the bestselling author of Startide Rising. On Planet Stratos, clans of genetically identical females dominate society. Natural conceptions are permitted, but only in summertime. Girls born this way--known for their despised uniqueness as 'vars'--must leave their clan homes to pursue their own distinct and hazardous fortunes in this world owned by clones. That time has come for Maia and her sister, Leie, but as variants, they have limited prospects. Worse, when the sisters do find work on trading vessels, Leie is lost at sea. And hence, Maia's arduous journey commences, accompanied by rumors that something . . . someone . . . has arrived from across the stars, perhaps ending the isolation of Stratos from the rest of humanity. Who would predict that a lonely var might stumble into a powerful secret? One that will challenge everything Maia knows about her society--and threatens the scientifically-engineered balance that holds it all together. "One of the most important SF novels of the year." --The Washington Post Book World "A rousing adventure story . . . brimming with surprises both wonderful and harrowing." --The San Diego Union-Tribune "Glory Season offers thrills, chills, political intrigue, and other good scientifictional fun, along with yet another round in the battle of the sexes." --Locus "Brin's prose echoes the influence of Asimov, Frank Herbert, and Aldous Huxley. . . . His world is so painstakingly drawn and is splashed with such radiant and varied hues." --The Christian Science Monitor

High school is hard enough. It gets a lot harder after the aliens show up. In the captivating YA science fiction novel "Colony High" by acclaimed author David Brin, the skeptical high school junior, Mark Bamford, finds himself caught up in a web of mystery and extraterrestrial intrigue. Living in the seemingly ordinary town of Twenty-Nine Palms, California, Mark dismisses the absurd rumor circulating among his classmates--an alien stranded in their midst. Such a clich d movie rip-off, right? Can't the math geeks come up with a more convincing hoax? Yet, Mark's doubts crumble when enigmatic black vans belonging to the secretive Cirocco Corporation swarm the town, conducting a relentless search for something unknown. With his trusty friend Alexandra by his side, Mark embarks on a daring investigation of his own. However, they soon realize that their social circle--comprised of skateboarding "X" enthusiasts and the varsity climbing team--is hardly equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead. Drawing upon their ingenuity and a touch of double-dealing, Mark and Alexandra race against time to uncover the truth. As they dig deeper, they discover that the truth they seek may not be far away--it could be lurking right next door. In "Colony High," Brin weaves a gripping tale of friendship, discovery, and the extraordinary hidden secrets that lie beneath the surface of the familiar. Prepare to be captivated as Mark and Alexandra's journey unravels the mysteries that will forever alter their lives and the fate of their town.

Prepare for the coming convergence of AI and quantum computing A collection of essays from 20 renowned, international authors working in industry, academia, and government, Convergence: Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing explains the impending convergence of artificial intelligence and quantum computing. A diversity of viewpoints is presented, each offering their view of this coming watershed event. In the book, you’ll discover that we’re on the cusp of seeing the stuff of science fiction become reality, with huge implications for ripping up the existing social fabric, global economy, and current geopolitical order. Along with an incisive foreword by Hugo- and Nebula-award winning author David Brin, you’ll also find: Explorations of the increasing pace of technological developmentExplanations of why seemingly unusual and surprising breakthroughs might be just around the cornerMaps to navigate the potential minefields that await us as AI and quantum computing come togetherA fascinating and thought-provoking compilation of insights from some of the leading technological voices in the world, Convergence convincingly argues that we should prepare for a world in which very little will remain the same and shows us how to get ready.

Prepare for a harrowing ride through the universe by the New York Times–bestselling author of Startide Rising and The Postman. Book Three in the Uplift Storm TrilogyThe peaceful existence of six outcast races on Jijo has ended. Ancient enemies, the Jophur, have discovered them, preparing to subject the refugees to their dark, perverted plans. The Jijoans’ only hope is the same ship that accidently led their foes to the planet. The Earthship Streaker, with its crew of uplifted dolphins and a human commander, must somehow lure the Jophur into a chase through space . . . into the unknown. And then into the weird. More than just the fate of Jijo--or that of distant Earth, also suffering a deadly siege--hangs in the balance. Some believe a terrifying prophecy is about to come true, one that involves Streaker’s trove of artifacts coveted by factions throughout all Five Galaxies. As countless white dwarf stars verge on unexpected explosion, all sentient life in the universe appears to be at risk unless someone can save them.

A starship crew of humans and dolphins skirts the brink of interstellar war in this epic adventure by the New York Times–bestselling author of The Postman. We are not alone. Humanity’s explorations have revealed galaxies inhabited by millions of intelligent species interacting under ancient traditions. Foremost among said traditions is uplift, which requires all spacefaring races to welcome newcomers into Galactic culture by breeding and genetically guiding each client species to full sapience--but at a price. Patron races demand centuries of indentured servitude from each uplifted client. But is upstart humanity a patron or a client? The Earthship Streaker--crewed by humans and uplifted dolphins and chimpanzees--discovers a derelict armada, perhaps left by the very first patrons, the fabled Progenitors. Suddenly the Five Galaxies teeter on the brink of all-out war as fanatics hunt Streaker for the secret. With a damaged ship and hostile aliens in pursuit, the crew must band together if they hope to survive . . . This book features a new introduction by the author. Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards

Can science fiction--especially sci-fi cinema--save the world? It already has, many times. Retired officers testify that films like Doctor Strangelove, Fail-Safe, On the Beach and War Games provoked changes and helped prevent accidental war. Soylent Green and Silent Running recruited millions of environmental activists. The China Syndrome and countless movies about plagues helped bring attention to those failure modes. And the grand-daddy of "self-preventing prophecy"—Nineteen Eighty-Four—girded countless citizens to stay wary of Big Brother. It's not been all dire warnings. While optimism is much harder to dramatize than apocalypse, both large and small screens have also encouraged millions to lift their gaze, contemplating how we might get better, incrementally, or else raise grandchildren worthy of the stars. Come along on a quirky quest for unusual insights into the power of forward-looking media. How the romantic allure of feudalism tugs at men and women who benefited vastly from modernity. Or explore why almost every Hollywood film preaches Suspicion of Authority, along with tolerance, diversity and personal eccentricity, and how those messages helped keep us free. No one is spared scrutiny! Not Spielberg or Tolkien or Cameron or Costner... nor Dune or demigods or zombie flicks. Certainly not George Lucas or Ayn Rand! Though some critiques are offered from a lifetime of respect and love... and gratitude.

What may we become? How will we endure? The future is a daunting realm, filled with real and imagined perils. So enter it prepared Here are vivid tales about possible tomorrows, from the keen eye and colorful pen of David Brin, a modern master of speculative fiction. Visit a chillingly plausible tomorrow, when prisoners may be sent to asteroidal gulags. Or might prisons vanish and felons roam, seeing only what society allows? Suppose, amid lavish success, we gain the superpower to fly Will we even appreciate it... or will we find new reasons to complain? In "Mars Opposition," you'll experience an alien invasion like no other, confronting humanity with a stark and terrible choice... followed by several more tales of conquest from beyond, each of them wildly different. On the other hand, might fantastically potent new beings emerge out of ourselves, as revealed in "Chrysalis"? Featuring guest appearances by Gregory Benford, Jules Verne, and Galileo, this adventure takes you beyond the very singularity in "Stones of Significance," pondering what could happen after humans are like gods. And "Reality Check" asks one of you readers - just one of you - to wake up Tomorrow awaits. We can face it and prevail. So long as our stance is brave INSISTENCE OF VISION.

The River of Time brings together twelve of David Brin's finest stories, including "The Crystal Spheres", which won the Hugo Award for Best Science Fiction Short Story in 1985. Here are powerful tales of heroism and humanity, playful excursions into realms of fancy, and profound meditations on time, memory, and our place in the universe. Who guides our fate? And can we ever hope to wrest control for ourselves?" The Crystal Spheres" offers a fantastic explanation for the Great Silence. Instead of being latecomers, might humanity have come upon the scene too early? "The Loom of Thessaly" merges classical mythology with impudent modern spirit in a science-fiction classic that speculates on the nature of reality. "Thor Meets Captain America" offers an alternate history exploring a chilling scenario behind the Holocaust. In this parallel world, the Nazis narrowly avoid defeat in World War II when they are championed by the gods of the Norse Pantheon. Sample these and other speculations into the future of humanity in The River of Time. Table of Contents: "The Crystal Spheres""The Loom of Thessaly""The Fourth Vocation of George Gustaf""Senses Three and Six""Toujours Voir""A Stage of Memory""Just a Hint""Tank Farm Dynamo""Thor Meets Captain America""Lungfish""News from 2025""The River of Time"

Bestselling, award-winning futurist David Brin returns to globe-spanning, high concept SF with Existence. Gerald Livingston is an orbital garbage collector. For a hundred years, people have been abandoning things in space, and someone has to clean it up. But there's something spinning a little bit higher than he expects, something that isn't on the decades' old orbital maps. An hour after he grabs it and brings it in, rumors fill Earth's infomesh about an "alien artifact." Thrown into the maelstrom of worldwide shared experience, the Artifact is a game-changer. A message in a bottle; an alien capsule that wants to communicate. The world reacts as humans always do: with fear and hope and selfishness and love and violence. And insatiable curiosity. This edition of the book is the deluxe, tall rack mass market paperback.

The first three books in David Brin's award-winning classic science fiction series, the Uplift novels, in omnibus format for the first time

A brand new look for one of SF master David Brin's most acclaimed novels: a moving post-apocalyptic tale of one man rekindling hope for a desperate nation