Best Selling Books by Frederik Pohl

The Hugo and Nebula award-winning author presents a "gripping and vivid" fictional account of the worst nuclear disaster in human history ( Kirkus ). Chernobyl: The very name conjures the terror of nuclear catastrophe. On April 26, 1986, a power surge caused an explosion that spewed radioactive steam into the air. More than four thousand people died, as many as a half-million had potentially cancer-causing exposure, and the surrounding city became a toxic wasteland in which nothing could live. When the Chernobyl plant was destroyed, the scenario many had feared became a sudden and terrifying reality. Frederik Pohl''s novel about this disaster was written months after the tragic events. He had the cooperation of many people inside the USSR with access to technical information and first-person accounts of the events. This fictional account vividly brings to life the most tragic nuclear event in human history, only one of two level-7 nuclear accidents, along with the Fukushima disaster of 2011.

Thomas Wills is a claims adjuster. That doesn''t sound like much, but the insurance company he works for rules the world with an Iron fist. Thomas Wills believes he is working for the greatest company in the history of mankind. But when he meets Rena dell''Angela he learns that everything is not as it seems. His company enforces complete compliance to their rules with a deep freeze vault that anyone who violates their rules is imprisoned in. Once he learns the truth he must decide what to do about it.

Federal agent Dan Dannerman is captured by aliens, cloned twice and made to undergo painful experiments. Dannerman--all three of him--escapes to Earth and mounts an attack to avenge his inhuman treatment. A look at relations between clones by the author of The Siege of Eternity.

Wealth ... or death. Those were the choices Gateway offered. Humans had discovered this artificial spaceport, full of working interstellar ships left behind by the mysterious, vanished Heechee. Their destinations are preprogrammed. They are easy to operate, but impossible to control. Some came back with discoveries which made their intrepid pilots rich; others returned with their remains barely identifiable. It was the ultimate game of Russian roulette, but in this resource-starved future there was no shortage of desperate volunteers. Winner of the Hugo, Locus, Nebula and John W. Campbell awards, Gateway begins Pohl''s space operatic Heechee saga. He was hugely influential in SF as an author but also an agent and editor, and his career spanned decades. ''A masterpiece of the genre'' - Tordotcom ''Gateway deserves its reputation as a classic'' - Gareth L. Powell ''One of the best Hugo winners I have read'' - Guardian Welcome to The Best Of The Masterworks: a selection of the finest in science fiction

The electronic brain machines have broken codes, translated one human language into another, and deciphered animal languages.

When Comet Sicara brushed near enough to strip the ozone layer from the Earth''s atmosphere, civilization effectively ended - in fact, life on Earth was nearly extinguished. But the underwater cities survived, and some heavily protected land enclaves held on as well. When the "ozone summer" years were ending, submarine captain Ron Tregarth rediscovered his lost love, Graciela Navarro. But their triumph against all odds was only the beginning, for the alien known as the Eternal stood between them and threatened to destroy all they held dearest. The Eternal''s goal was to absorb the minds of every living thing, to create a death-in-life to enslave the planet.

Astronomer Harry Malibert is at an airport when nuclear war breaks out. Having been recognised by a fan, he is offered a seat on a plane to Iceland. Though most of Reykjavík has been destroyed by a thermonuclear weapon, the rest of the Iceland has been left untouched. Malibert and the remaining survivors must take advantage of Iceland''s geology in preparing for the nuclear winter ahead of them, all the while calculating their chances of survival and contemplating the Fermi paradox: given the size and age of the universe, there ought to be many extraterrestrial civilisations, yet none has so far been found. Will Malibert and his group survive, and will they or their successors live to see proof of extraterrestrial civilisation?

Frederik Pohl was an influential writer and editor. As an editor he won three Hugo awards for best professional magazine. As a writer he won four Hugo Awards and three Nebulas. Pohl was awarded the title of Grand Master by the Science fiction Writers of America and is a member of the Science Fiction Hall of fame. Collected here are a novel and five stories that helped Pohl carve his name onto the science fiction field. His stories are imaginative and powerful. Included here are ''Preferred Risk,'' ''The Day of the Boomer Dukes,'' ''The Tunnel Under The World,'' ''The Hated,'' ''Pythias,'' and ''The Knights of Arthur.'' More than three hundred pages.

A duplicate of Ben Pertin was teleported to the farthest edge of the galaxy to investigate a cosmic anomaly traveling towards earth.

"Search the Sky" is an anthology that traverses the vastness of speculative fiction''s landscape, capturing the essence of exploration in its myriad forms. Its pages brim with narratives that probe humanity''s existential and societal inquiries through visions of distant worlds and future possibilities. The stories within this collection are a tapestry of dissent and curiosity, merging high-concept sci-fi with introspective human tales. This compendium not only showcases a range of literary styles, from hard science fiction to speculative fantasy, but also stands as a testament to the power of imagination and insight into the human condition. Notable pieces challenge the boundaries of reality while encouraging readers to question what lies beyond the known universe. Frederik Pohl and C. M. Kornbluth, the luminary minds behind these selections, are renowned for their pioneering contributions to science fiction. Together, they weave a fabric of narratives that resonate with the anxieties and aspirations of a mid-20th-century world on the brink of technological and social transformation. Their writings reflect a deep engagement with the cultural and literary movements of their time, blending echoes of the New Wave and Golden Age of science fiction, thus crafting a dialogue that transcends their individual voices. "Search the Sky" is an indispensable volume for anyone eager to explore the intellectual and emotional breadth of speculative fiction. As readers navigate the diverse stories, they are invited to engage with a rich tapestry of ideas, each narrative guiding them toward a deeper understanding of humanity''s place in the cosmos. This anthology not only offers a window into the minds of Pohl and Kornbluth but also into the era''s pulsating themes of discovery and innovation, offering profound lessons and reflections along the journey. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work''s timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era''s events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work''s messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

The tale of an actor, Rafiel, who is living on a far-future Earth, one where a simple organization in childhood brings immortality for all. Except a handful of people who prove immune and who live their lives as mortals in an immortal society.