New Releases by Michael Shaara

Embark on an extraordinary journey beyond the stars with "Amazing Tales Volume 56", a spellbinding science fiction anthology. This remarkable collection dares to venture where few have gone before, weaving together the allure of cosmic exploration with profound tales of human resilience and curiosity. Delight in a spectrum of adventures, starting with "The Book", where a daring young cadet grapples with the enigmatic "Hole in Cygnus", testing both his courage and understanding. Traverse the clock-defying storyline of "Conquest Over Time", where Travis challenges the cosmic odds on Diomed III, each moment a thrilling race against fate. Every story within this anthology is a portal into the unknown, exploring themes as vast as interstellar alliances and the moral dilemmas entwined with scientific breakthroughs. Ponder the haunting connections of heritage in "Wainer", and join Captain Steffens in "Orphans of the Void" as he confronts the desolate mysteries of a distant planet—questions of existence echoing in the silence of space. This anthology masterfully delves into the fabric of ancient lore interwoven with futuristic conquest in "Soldier Boy", while "Man of Distinction" challenges the core of identity within an advanced society. Let your imagination soar with "Citizen Jell", where the delicate veil between reality and fantasy dissolves, and unravel the cosmic secrets of life and death with "The Vanisher". This collection is not just for fans of science fiction; it''s a treasure trove for anyone who revels in the thrill of discovery, the quest for meaning, and the delight in narratives that stretch the fabric of reality. Step into a universe where boundaries blur and the secrets of existence await to be uncovered, each page a step deeper into the captivating cosmos of "Amazing Tales Volume 56".

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos with "Amazing Tales Volume 93", a meticulously curated science fiction anthology offering an unparalleled expedition. This captivating collection brings together a stellar lineup of stories that delve into the vastness of space, the intricacies of human ambition, and the profound mysteries that lie beyond our world. In Shaara''s own "The Sling And The Stone", the anthology opens with a gripping Cold War drama set aboard a Russian space station. Here, enigmatic visitors force humanity to confront its cosmic aspirations, weaving a narrative that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. "The Smoky God" takes readers into uncharted territory as Olaf Jansen discovers a hidden world that blurs the lines between myth and reality, pushing the boundaries of belief and geographical discovery. The tension escalates with Fox B. Holden''s "Earthmen Ask No Quarter!" where interstellar conflict tests human resolve against a formidable alien threat. Meanwhile, Evan Hunter''s "The Plagiarist From Rigel IV" presents a curious tale of mystery and cosmic secrets, as an otherworldly typewriter becomes key to unraveling an intricate puzzle. Richard O. Lewis''s "Earthmen Die Hard!" adds a thrilling layer of cosmic oversight, as a cosmic inspector uncovers a planet brimming with unexpected life, igniting a narrative of resilience and survival. Together, these stories explore themes of interstellar tension, political drama, and mankind''s relentless quest for knowledge. With compelling elements like Cold War intrigue, alien invasions, and cosmic mysteries, this anthology is an irresistible invitation for sci-fi enthusiasts to question the universe and our place within it. Get ready to be swept away by "Amazing Tales Volume 93", where each story serves as a gateway to the extraordinary, challenging your perceptions and sparking your imagination in unexpected ways.

"Soldier Boy and Five More Stories" by Michael Shaara is a mesmerizing anthology that brings together six captivating tales of science fiction, exploring the depths of human spirit and the unknown realms of the universe. In "SOLDIER BOY," Captain Dylan becomes an unexpected hero on the frontier colony of Lupus V, confronting an alien threat and rediscovering his purpose amidst cosmic peril. "Wainer" tells the poignant story of a marginalized individual in a future dominated by enhanced beings, emphasizing humanity''s quest for meaning and potential transformation. "The Sling And The Stone" immerses readers in Cold War tensions as Pyotr Diavilev navigates a revolutionary Soviet space station and the moral dilemmas of weaponizing space. "Citizen Jell" introduces the enigmatic Mr. Jell, a retired spaceman in Florida, grappling with the ethical use of his powers while maintaining a simple life. In "Man of Distinction," Thatcher Blitt discovers the surprising truth about his ancestry, exploring the nature of identity and the quest for personal significance in the 22nd century. Lastly, "The Book" takes readers on a journey to a mysterious planet in the dust cloud of Cygnus, where Officer Beauclaire encounters human-like beings and existential questions about life and purpose. This anthology weaves together themes of duty, evolution, power, and identity, offering readers a diverse collection of thought-provoking narratives that challenge and inspire. Perfect for fans of science fiction, "Soldier Boy and Five More Stories" promises a compelling exploration of the cosmos and the human condition, making it an essential addition to any literary collection.

The anthology "The Vanisher & Orphans of the Void" by Michael Shaara immerses readers in gripping tales of science fiction and cosmic exploration. In "The Vanisher," a young officer named Web Hilton is thrust into the unknown on a space mission that challenges his resolve and identity. Amidst Cold War tensions, he encounters an alien presence, becoming the first man to die more than once. Meanwhile, Ivy, a small-town girl on Earth, finds herself entwined in an otherworldly conspiracy, illuminating themes of human resilience, identity, and the clash of civilizations. This story captivates with its blend of suspense, science fiction, and mystery, offering a timeless exploration of survival and human spirit against cosmic mysteries. In "Orphans of the Void," Captain Steffens and his crew venture to the Coal Sack Nebula, uncovering the ruins of a vanished civilization and their loyal robots, known as the Makers. These robots, in their solitude, raise profound questions about purpose and servitude, resonating with modern themes of artificial intelligence and existential reflection. As Steffens confronts the reality of the Makers'' extinction, he grapples with the challenge of offering the robots a new meaning. This narrative is a powerful meditation on companionship, destiny, and the profound connections between technology and humanity. A must-read for science fiction enthusiasts, "The Vanisher & Orphans of the Void" invites readers to explore themes of human-alien encounters, robots, and extrasolar planets, making it an unforgettable journey through the cosmos and the depths of human nature.

Book Excerpt: y in their own astrology they''ve gotten used to the idea that a man is what his horoscope says he is.""But us? What are we? They haven''t the vaguest idea, and it scares hell out of them. The only thing they can do is check with one of the branches, what they call Horary Astrology, and make a horoscope of the day we landed. Even if that tells them nothing about us in particular at least it tells them, or so they believe, all about our mission to Mert. Because the moment our ship touched the ground was the birth date of our business here."He paused and regarded Travis with woeful sympathy."With us, luckily, it was all right. The Mapping Command just happened to hit here on a good day. But you? Trav, old buddy, for once you came just too damn fast--""Oh my God," Travis breathed. "We landed on a bad day.""Bad?" Horton sighed. "Man, it''s terrible."* * * * *"You see," Horton said as they drove into the town, "not a soul on the streets. This is not onlRead More

Galaxy Science Fiction was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by an Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break into the American market. World Editions hired as editor H. L. Gold, who rapidly made Galaxy the leading science fiction (sf) magazine of its time, focusing on stories about social issues rather than technology. Gold published many notable stories during his tenure, including Ray Bradbury''s "The Fireman", later expanded as Fahrenheit 451; Robert A. Heinlein''s The Puppet Masters; and Alfred Bester''s The Demolished Man. In 1952, the magazine was acquired by Robert Guinn, its printer. By the late 1950s, Frederik Pohl was helping Gold with most aspects of the magazine''s production. When Gold''s health worsened, Pohl took over as editor, starting officially at the end of 1961, though he had been doing the majority of the production work for some time. Under Pohl Galaxy had continued success, regularly publishing fiction by writers such as Cordwainer Smith, Jack Vance, Harlan Ellison, and Robert Silverberg. However, Pohl never won the annual Hugo Award for his stewardship of Galaxy, winning three Hugos instead for its sister magazine, If. In 1969 Guinn sold Galaxy to Universal Publishing and Distribution Corporation (UPD) and Pohl resigned, to be replaced by Ejler Jakobsson. Under Jakobsson the magazine declined in quality. It recovered under James Baen, who took over in mid-1974, but when he left at the end of 1977 the deterioration resumed, and there were financial problems—writers were not paid on time and the schedule became erratic. By the end of the 1970s the gaps between issues were lengthening, and the title was finally sold to Galileo publisher Vincent McCaffrey, who brought out only a single issue in 1980. A brief revival as a semi-professional magazine followed in 1994, edited by H. L. Gold''s son, E. J. Gold; this lasted for eight bimonthly issues. At its peak, Galaxy greatly influenced the science fiction field. It was regarded as one of the leading sf magazines almost from the start, and its influence did not wane until Pohl''s departure in 1969. Gold brought a "sophisticated intellectual subtlety" to magazine science fiction according to Pohl, who added that "after Galaxy it was impossible to go on being naive." SF historian David Kyle agrees, commenting that "of all the editors in and out of the post-war scene, the most influential beyond any doubt was H. L. Gold". Kyle suggests that the new direction Gold set "inevitably" led to the experimental New Wave, the defining science fiction literary movement of the 1960s.

Michael Shaara reinvented the war novel with his Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece of Gettysburg, The Killer Angels. Jeff Shaara continued his father’s legacy with a series of centuries-spanning New York Times bestsellers. Together at last in eBook form, this volume assembles three Civil War novels from America’s first family of military fiction: Gods and Generals, The Killer Angels, and The Last Full Measure. Gods and Generals traces the lives, passions, and careers of the great military leaders—Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, Joshua Chamberlain—from the gathering clouds of war. The Killer Angels re-creates the fight for America’s destiny in the Battle of Gettysburg, the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history. And The Last Full Measure brings to life the final two years of the Civil War, chasing the escalating conflict between Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant—complicated, heroic, and deeply troubled men—through to its riveting conclusion at Appomattox. Contains a preview Jeff Shaara’s new novel of the Civil War, A Blaze of Glory. Praise for Michael Shaara and Jeff Shaara’s Civil War trilogy “Brilliant does not even begin to describe the Shaara gift.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Shaara’s beautifully sensitive novel delves deeply in the empathetic realm of psycho-history, where enemies do not exist—just mortal men forced to make crucial decisions and survive on the same battlefield.”—San Francisco Chronicle, on Gods and Generals “Remarkable . . . a book that changed my life . . . I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive.”—Ken Burns, on The Killer Angels “The Last Full Measure is more than another historical novel. It is rooted in history, but its strength is the element of humanity flowing through its characters. . . . The book is compelling, easy to read, well researched and written, and thought-provoking. . . . In short, it is everything that a reader could ask for.”—Chicago Tribune

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The “remarkable” (Ken Burns), “utterly absorbing” (Forbes) Civil War classic that inspired the film Gettysburg, with more than three million copies in print—now in a 50th anniversary edition featuring a new introduction by Jeff Shaara “My favorite historical novel . . . a superb re-creation of the Battle of Gettysburg, but its real importance is its insight into what the war was about, and what it meant.”—James M. McPherson In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history, two armies fought for two conflicting dreams. One dreamed of freedom, the other of a way of life. Far more than rifles and bullets were carried into battle. There were memories. There were promises. There was love. And far more than men fell on those Pennsylvania fields. Bright futures, untested innocence, and pristine beauty were also the casualties of war. Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece is unique, sweeping, unforgettable—the dramatic story of the battleground for America’s destiny.

“Moving, beautiful . . . If Hemingway had written a baseball novel, he might have written For Love of the Game.”—Los Angeles Times Billy Chapel is a baseball legend, after seventeen season a sure Hall of Famer. He is a man who has retained the endearing qualities of youth, a man who has devoted his life to the game he loves and plays so well. But, because of his unsurpassed skill and innocent faith, he has been betrayed. It''s the final game of the season, and Billy''s got one last chance to prove who he is and what he can do, a chance to prove what really matters in this life. A taut, compelling story of one man''s coming of age, For Love of the Game is Michael Shaara''s final novel, the classic finish to a brilliantly distinguished literary career. Praise for For Love of the Game “A delightful and lyrical story about a great athlete''s momentous last game . . . A fairy tale for adults about love and loneliness and finally growing up.”—USA Today “An endearing, timeless novel that can be enjoyed by both serious readers and baseball lovers for generations to come.”—The Orlando Sentinel

A moving collection of novels that explore the powers, passions, and politics of the War Between the States. Includes Michael Shaara''s Killer Angels, Stephen Crane''s Red Badge of Courage, and Mackinley Kantor''s Andersonville.

A town of 70,000 inhabitants are inexplicably dead, a massive amount of radiation emanating from somewhere inside.