Most Popular Books by Fritz Leiber

Tansy Saylor is the wife of an up-and-coming young sociology professor at a small, conservative American college. She is also a witch. Her husband, Norman, discovers this one day while rummaging through her dressing table: he finds vials of graveyard dirt, packets of hair and fingernail clippings from their acquaintances, and other evidence of her witchcraft. He confronts Tansy, and manages to convince her that her faith in magic is a result of superstition and neurosis. Tansy burns her charms; and Norman''s luck immediately goes sour. He realizes that he had been protected, up till now, by Tansy''s charms, and that as a result of his meddling, they are both now powerless to counteract the spells and charms of the other witches all around them.

A swashbuckling story collection in the genre-defining sword-and-sorcery series from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master of Science Fiction. Fafhrd and Mouse are not innocents; their world is no land of honor and righteousness. It is a world of human complexities and violent action, of discovery and mystery, of swords and sorcery. With Swords Against Wizardry, the story unfolds behind the curtain "In the Witch''s Tent". Fafhrd and Gray Mouser are there to consult a sorceress who holds the secret to their escape, but when would they ever need to escape? Would they need this knowledge when they journey to "Stardock"? Where is there to escape up there? No doubt the icy seduction of the cruel one, with her greed for both gore and graciousness, could offer them several ways out. Their luck has been good so far; one way out should work. Their luck continues as thieves. They are "The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar" until better positions arise: "The Lords of Quarmall." Gray Mouser and Fafhrd steal a kingdom within a hill and declare themselves lords. Drawing on themes from Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and H. P. Lovecraft, master manipulator Fritz Leiber is a worldwide legend within the fantasy genre and actually coined the term Sword and Sorcery that describes the subgenre he helped create. "Fritz Leiber''s tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are virtually a genre unto themselves. Urbane, idiosyncratic, comic, erotic, and human, spiked with believable action and the eerie creations of a master fantasist." —Harlan Ellison

Have you ever worried about your memory, because it doesn''t seem to recall exactly the same past from one day to the next? If you have, then you''ve had hints of the Change War. It''s been going on for a billion years and it''ll last another billion or so. And in the midst of the war is the Place, outside space and time, where Greta Forzane and the other Entertainers provide solace and R&R for tired time warriors.

A classic sword and sorcery novel featuring the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master of Science Fiction''s unorthodox and unpredictable antiheroes. The Swords of Lankhmar finds the city characteristically plagued by rats. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are in the employ of Glipkerio, the overlord, to guard a grain ship on its journey. Along the way, the rats onboard stage a rebellion and threaten to take the ship until a two-headed sea monster saves the day. If only there were two-headed sea monsters everywhere, Lankhmar would be safe, too. Alas, upon returning to the city, the two discover that Lankhmar is controlled by rats. It is a city known for its thieves and swine, but even the city''s muddiest bottom feeders have never seen pillaging and plundering like this. And only the sorcerers Sheelba of the Eyeless Face and Ningauble of the Seven Eyes can scare this scourge. Mouser must shrink into the rat''s world and Fafhrd must unleash the feared feline War Cats. Then the fun really begins. "Fritz Leiber''s tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are virtually a genre unto themselves. Urbane, idiosyncratic, comic, erotic, and human, spiked with believable action and the eerie creations of a master fantasist." —Harlan Ellison

The final book in the seminal sword-and-sorcery series from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy. After their adventures in Swords and Ice Magic, Fafhrd the barbarian and Gray Mouser the thief remain on Rime Isle with their loves, seeking lives of respectability and peace. Fafhrd works to regain his archery skills after losing his left hand to Odin in battle. Meanwhile, the Gray Mouser embarks on a trading expedition aboard the ship Seahawk. But their respite will soon come to an end—for on the world of Nehwon, a brother and sister plot to regain the treasures stolen from them by the pirates of Rime Isle. Soon Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, alone and together, are plagued by dreams and curses that will force them to confront the vengeful siblings, destructive temptations, sea demons, and ancient obsessions as "one of the great works of fantasy in this century" comes to its climactic end ( Publishers Weekly). "The greatest living writer of supernatural horror fiction." —Ramsey Campbell, World Fantasy Award–winning author

Wysten Turner is a Brit visiting America after it''s great war with Russia. He meets a woman with a tale of woe in the streets of New York. Her boyfriend is a professional wrestler who beats her. She begs Turner to help her escape him, but is the situation as straight forward as it seems? Nominated for a Retro Hugo Award.

From a Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy: In a post-apocalyptic future, a priest must fight the forces of evil in order to bring freedom to humanity. Three-hundred and sixty years after a nuclear holocaust ravaged mankind, the world is fraught with chaos and superstition. Endowed with scientific knowledge lost to the rest of humanity, Techno-priests of the Great God now rule. Jarles, originally of peasant descent, rises to become a priest of the Great God. He knows that the gospel is nothing but trickery propagated by non-believers. One day, he defies his priestly training and attempts to incite the peasants to rebel—but Jarles is not the only dissenter trying to bring down the priesthood—witchcraft is slowly gaining strength and support among the populace. Little does Jarles know his rebellion is about to throw him headlong into the middle of the greatest holy war the world has ever seen.

In "The Green Millennium," Fritz Leiber masterfully weaves a narrative that oscillates between science fiction and dark fantasy, set against the backdrop of a near-future Earth transformed by environmental calamities. Leiber''s prose is both lyrical and incisive, deftly exploring themes of identity, humanity''s relationship with nature, and the consequences of technological advancement. The plot centers on a mysterious green cat that catalyzes a series of surreal events, leading the protagonist into a labyrinth of existential reflections and moral dilemmas. The novel serves as a rich commentary on the 1960s zeitgeist, grappling with ecological anxieties and the burgeoning counterculture movement, all while employing a vibrant, almost hallucinatory literary style that invites deep engagement from the reader. Fritz Leiber, a prominent figure in 20th-century speculative fiction, brought to bear his extensive knowledge of mythology and philosophy, as well as his personal experiences with urban life and nature, into this work. His unique background''Äîrooted in a theatrical upbringing and a lifelong engagement with the fantastic''Äîshapes the emotional depth and complexity found within "The Green Millennium." This novel reflects his belief in the power of literature to challenge norms and provoke thought about urgent societal issues. For readers who crave a profound exploration of ecological themes wrapped in an evocative narrative, "The Green Millennium" is an essential addition to the canon of speculative fiction. Leiber''Äôs imaginative storytelling invites readers to reflect on their own place within an ever-changing world, encouraging both introspection and deeper consideration of humanity''s role in the ecological balance. This engaging work will appeal not only to fans of science fiction but also to those interested in philosophical questions that resonate in today''s urgent climate discourse. 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 award-winning sword and sorcery classic that introduced Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, from a Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy. First in the influential fan-favorite series, Swords and Deviltry collects four fantastical adventure stories from Fritz Leiber, the author who coined the phrase "sword and sorcery" and helped birth an entire genre. In "Induction," in the realm of Nehwon, fate brings young prince Fafhrd and apprentice magician the Gray Mouser together to mark the beginning of a loyal and lifelong friendship. Consumed by his wicked mother''s enchantments, Fafhrd finds freedom by pursuing the love of a beautiful actress in the Nebula and Hugo Award–nominated "The Snow Women." Studying sorcery under a great wizard in a land where it is forbidden, Mouse crosses the thin line between white and black magic to avenge a great wrong in "The Unholy Grail." And in the Nebula and Hugo Award–winning novella "Ill Met in Lankhmar," Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser disguise themselves as beggars to infiltrate the Thieves'' Guild—only to pay a horrible price for their greed when they come face-to-face with a monstrous evil. "Fritz Leiber''s tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are virtually a genre unto themselves. Urbane, idiosyncratic, comic, erotic, and human, spiked with believable action and the eerie creations of a master fantasist." —Harlan Ellison

The Big Time is a story involving only a few characters, but with a vast, cosmic back story. The storyline features members of one of two factions, both capable of time travel, engaged in a long-term conflict called "The Change War". Their method of battle involves changing the outcomes of events throughout history.

From a Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning sword and sorcery series. Long before George R. R. Martin''s Game of Thrones became a worldwide phenomenon, Fritz Leiber ruled the literary universe of sword and sorcery. This novel and two short story collections chronicle the adventures of Leiber''s endearing and groundbreaking antiheroes: the barbarian Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, a former wizard''s apprentice—featuring the Hugo Award–nominated novellas "Scylla''s Daughter" and "Stardock." Swords Against Wizardry: Bold Fafhrd and the sly Gray Mouser find adventure wherever they tread quick and lightly, whether it be in consulting a witch for advice, climbing Nehwon''s highest peak in search of riches, discovering that they may not actually be the greatest thieves in Lankhmar, or working both sides of a royal battle for the throne of Quarmall. The Swords of Lankhmar: With a plague of rats teeming in Lankhmar, Fafhrd and the Mouser are hired by the city to guard a shipment of grain overseas. But when the duo returns, they discover the sentient vermin have taken over Lankhmar for themselves! And now it''s up to the barbarian and the thief to build a better rat trap. Swords and Ice Magic: Fafhrd and Gray Mouser make their way by sword and stealth as they face death in many forms, earn the ire of gods whose names they rarely even speak in vain anymore, lazily drift on the Great Equatorial Current, and venture far into the icy wastes of the Rime Isle to confront a pair of deities and a pillaging fleet in this World Fantasy Award nominee.

A horror author is drawn into a mysterious curse in this World Fantasy Award–winning novel from the author of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series. Fritz Leiber may be best known as a fantasy writer, but he published widely and successfully in the horror and science fiction fields. His fiction won the Hugo, Nebula, Derleth, Gandalf, Lovecraft, and World Fantasy Awards, and he was honored with the Life Achievement Lovecraft Award and the Grand Master Nebula Award. One of his best novels is the classic dark fantasy Our Lady of Darkness, winner of the 1978 World Fantasy Award. Our Lady of Darkness introduces San Francisco horror writer Franz Westen. While studying his beloved city through binoculars from his apartment window, he is astonished to see a mysterious figure waving at him from a hilltop two miles away. He walks to Corona Heights and looks back at his building to discover the figure waving at him from his apartment window—and to find himself caught in a century‐spanning curse that may have destroyed Clark Ashton Smith and Jack London.

The dark star passed, bringing with it eternal night and turning history into incredible myth in a single generation! In this story of desperation and courage a family believing themselves to be the last humans alive on Earth must fight daily against a cold uncaring universe. Fritz Leiber won multiple Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. This story shows him at the height of his prowess.

This volume assembled six of Leiber''s classic works: "Dr. Kometevsky''s Day," "The Big Trek," "The Enchanted Forest," "Deadly Moon," "The Snowbank Orbit," and "The Ship Sails at Midnight."

The Probability Engine made differing timelines a reality: alternate universes real enough to exist side by side...and to be invaded.... Destiny Times Three is a classic alternate-timeline science fiction novel by American writer Fritz Leiber. It first appeared in Astounding Science Fiction as a twopart serial from March to April, 1945.

Sent by a witch on a foolhardy journey, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser return to the icy reaches of the north in search of dubious treasure. There, they are seduced by the glittering attractions of an ice woman, who brings them with her to her shadowy lair. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser-brothers in arms-are overwhelmed by intimations of power and rise to become the overlords of Quarmall, a dangerous region of lies, magic, and swords.