Most Popular Books by Philip K Dick

Earth maintained an important garrison on Asteroid Y-3. Now suddenly it was imperiled with a biological impossibility--men becoming plants!

A wry look at how different people see the world, told in the caustically fun style of award-winning science fiction novelist Philip K. Dick.

When a repairman accidentally discovers a parallel universe, everyone sees it as an opportunity, whether as a way to ease Earth''s overcrowding, set up a personal kingdom, or hide an inconvenient mistress. But when a civilization is found already living there, the people on this side of the crack are sent scrambling to discover their motives. Will these parallel humans come in peace, or are they just as corrupt and ill-intentioned as the people of this world?

"The late Philip K Dick was a master of science fiction, winner of such prestigious prizes as the Hugo Award and the John W. Campbell Award. His startlingly original imagination has entertained readers for over thirty years and has influenced a generation of science fiction and fantasy writers. I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon marks an event in science fiction publishing, bringing together ten previously uncollected stories and a major essay that has never before been published. Here are fantastic voyages into inner space and outer space, dazzling explorations of alien minds, alien cultures, and alien invasions. From a space-ship that soars beyond the imagination to a space traveler who cheats death, from a shoe with a mind of its own to a gumball machine that is in reality a doomsday machine, these are remarkable stories of magic, mystery and wonder. I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon is Philip K. Dick at his most marvelous and inventive. It draws us into dreamlike realities that defy experience and excite the spirit of adventure in us all."--Jacket.

A glimpse into the mind of the bestselling science fiction author through a collection of his personal, metaphysical, religious, visionary writings. Based on thousands of pages of typed and handwritten notes, journal entries, letters, and story sketches, The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick is the magnificent and imaginative final work of an author who dedicated his life to questioning the nature of reality and perception, the malleability of space and time, and the relationship between the human and the divine. Edited and introduced by Pamela Jackson and Jonathan Lethem, this will be the definitive presentation of Dick''s brilliant, and epic, final work. In The Exegesis, Dick documents his eight-year attempt to fathom what he called "2-3-74," a postmodern visionary experience of the entire universe "transformed into information." In entries that sometimes ran to hundreds of pages, Dick tried to write his way into the heart of a cosmic mystery that tested his powers of imagination and invention to the limit, adding to, revising, and discarding theory after theory, mixing in dreams and visionary experiences as they occurred, and pulling it all together in three late novels known as the VALIS trilogy. In this abridgment, Jackson and Lethem serve as guides, taking the reader through the Exegesis and establishing connections with moments in Dick''s life and work. The e-book includes a sample chapter from A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick. "A dyspeptic dystopian''s mad secret notebooks, imposing order—at least of a kind—on a chaotic world...Fascinating and unsettling."— Kirkus Reviews

n The Divine Invasion, Philip K. Dick asks: What if God--or a being called Yah--were alive and in exile on a distant planet? How could a second coming succeed against the high technology and finely tuned rationalized evil of the modern police state? The Divine Invasion "blends Judaism, Kabalah, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity into a fascinating fable of human existence" (West Coast Revew of Books).

Yielding to a compulsion he can’t explain, Ted Barton interrupts his vacation in order to visit the town of his birth, Millgate, Virginia. But upon entering the sleepy, isolated little hamlet, Ted is distraught to find that the place bears no resemblance to the one he left behind—and never did. He also discovers that in this Millgate Ted Barton died of scarlet fever when he was nine years old. Perhaps even more troubling is the fact that it is literally impossible to escape. Unable to leave, Ted struggles to find the reason for such disturbing incongruities, but before long, he finds himself in the midst of a struggle between good and evil that stretches far beyond the confines of the valley. Winner of both the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards for best novel, widely regarded as the premiere science fiction writer of his day, and the object of cult-like adoration from his legions of fans, Philip K. Dick has come to be seen in a literary light that defies classification in much the same way as Borges and Calvino. With breathtaking insight, he utilizes vividly unfamiliar worlds to evoke the hauntingly and hilariously familiar in our society and ourselves. From the Trade Paperback edition.

From the Hugo Award–winning author of The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick’s twisty and paranoid Time Out of Joint is "marvelous, terrifying fun, especially if you’ve ever suspected that the world is an unreal construct built solely to keep you from knowing who you really are. Which it is, of course" (Rolling Stone). "The time is out of joint; O curs''d spite, That ever I was born to set it right!" (William Shakespeare''s Hamlet, Act I, Scene V) Ragle Gumm has a unique job: every day he wins a newspaper contest. And when he isn’t consulting his charts and tables, he enjoys his life in a small town in 1959. At least, that’s what he thinks. But then, in this mind-bending psychological thriller, strange things start happening. He finds a phone book where all the numbers have been disconnected, and a magazine article about a famous starlet he’s never heard of named Marilyn Monroe. Plus, everyday objects are beginning to disappear and are replaced by strips of paper with words written on them like "bowl of flowers" and "soft drink stand." When Ragle skips town to try to find the cause of these bizarre occurrences, his discovery could make him question everything he has ever known.

From the author of Solar Lottery, in a future where death is embraced, a time-traveling doctor is the only one who can save a wounded resistance leader. When Dr. Jim Parsons wakes up from a car accident, he finds himself in a future populated almost entirely by the young. But to keep the world run by the young, death is fetishized, and those who survive to old age are put down. In such a world, Parsons—with his innate desire to save lives—is a criminal and outcast. But for one revolutionary group, he may be just the savior they need to heal and revive their cryogenically frozen leader. And when he and the group journey to 1500s California, what they find causes them to question what they know about history and the underpinnings of their society. With the jarring immediacy of a car crash, Philip K. Dick throws both the reader and protagonist of Dr. Futurity into a bizarre future where healing is a crime and youth rules.

"Mr. Spaceship" is a science fiction short story by American writer Philip K. Dick, first published in Imagination in January 1953, and later in The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick. The story is set in the distant future, where humanity is at war with "Yuks", an alien life form which does not use mechanical spaceships nor constructions but instead relies on life forms to power their technology. The war has been going on for a long time and humanity has not been able to come up with a solution against the life-form based ships and mines that the Yuks use. One day a team of researchers led by Philip Kramer decide to build a spaceship which is powered by a human brain and they find the ideal candidate in Kramer''s old professor, a dying man who volunteers to donate his brain to the project.

The solution to Earth''s overpopulation holds a dark secret in this science fiction novel from the author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? When catastrophic overpopulation threatens Earth, one company offers to teleport citizens to Whale''s Mouth, an allegedly pristine new home for happy and industrious émigrés. But there is one problem: the teleportation machine only works in one direction. When Rachmael ben Applebaum discovers that some of the footage of happy settlers may have been faked, he sets out on an eighteen-year journey to see if anyone wants to come back. Lies, Inc. is one of Philip K. Dick''s final novels, which he expanded from his novella The Unteleported Man shortly before his death. In its examination of totalitarianism, reality, and hallucination, it encompasses everything that Dick''s fans love about his oeuvre. "Philip K. Dick knew better than anyone how to recognize the disturbances of exile."—Roberto Bolaño, bestselling author of The Spirit of Science Fiction

Winner of the British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Novel, Philip K. Dick''s A Scanner Darkly is a semi-autobiographical novel of drug addiction set in a future American dystopia — and the basis for the Hugo Award finalist film starring Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, and Robert Downey, Jr. "A Scanner Darkly is about a descent into the deep fears of our 24-hour consumer society: the twilight of intellectual and emotional collapse...A fascinating portrait of 70s Californian counter-culture."—The Guardian Bob Arctor is a junkie and a drug dealer, both using and selling the mind-altering Substance D. Fred is a law enforcement agent, tasked with bringing Bob down. It sounds like a standard case. The only problem is that Bob and Fred are the same person. Substance D doesn’t just alter the mind, it splits it in two, and neither side knows what the other is doing or that it even exists. Now, both sides are growing increasingly paranoid as Bob tries to evade Fred while Fred tries to evade his suspicious bosses. In this dystopian future, friends can become enemies, good trips can turn terrifying, and cops and criminals are two sides of the same coin. Caustically funny and somberly contemplative, Dick fashions a novel that is as unnerving as it is enthralling. “Dick is Thoreau plus the death of the American dream."—Roberto Bolaño

The Variable Man by Philip K. Dick is a thought-provoking short story that delves into the intricate relationship between humanity and technology, exploring themes of identity, free will, and the repercussions of a highly mechanized society. Set in a dystopian future where human lives are overshadowed by corporate interests and cold efficiency, this story unravels the profound implications of a world governed by predictive technology and machines. The narrative revolves around the titular Variable Man, a seemingly ordinary individual named Thomas, whose unique ability to affect time and events sets him apart from the deterministic world around him. When he inadvertently disrupts the rigid schedules and predetermined outcomes set by the omnipotent Time Control Corporation, he shatters the illusion of predictability that defines this futuristic society. As the corporation grapples with the chaos caused by Thomas’s unpredictability, themes of alienation and the struggle for personal agency emerge, highlighting the tensions between human creativity and the cold logic of machines. Philip K. Dick’s signature style shines through in this narrative, employing complex characterizations and engaging philosophical questions that prompt readers to reflect on the nature of reality and existence. As Thomas navigates through a world that seeks to confine him, readers are taken on a wild journey through time and space, challenging conventional notions of causality and control. Dick deftly raises questions about the consequences of technological advancement and the impact it has on human identity, autonomy, and the meaning of existence. The story is emblematic of Dick''s exploration of the human psyche and the absurdities of societal structures, as he creates a striking juxtaposition between the protagonist’s chaotic nature and the rigid frameworks imposed by the corporation. Thomas''s struggle becomes a powerful metaphor for the individual’s quest for purpose and self-definition in a world increasingly dominated by machines and corporate entities. This conflict resonates deeply in the context of today’s technology-driven society, where the lines between human and machine continue to blur. The Variable Man serves as not only a captivating science fiction tale but also a nuanced critique of the potential dangers of technological dependence and the loss of individual agency. Philip K. Dick''s exploration of these themes remains relevant, encouraging readers to engage with the ongoing conversation surrounding human identity and the ethical implications of our treatment of technology. As with many of Dick’s works, the narrative teems with unexpected twists and psychological depth, ensuring that it resonates with both science fiction enthusiasts and those interested in the philosophical underpinnings of human existence.

A disparate group of characters are brought together on a ravaged Earth and must contend with an underclass that''s starting to ask too many questions.

The universe is not nearly as random as it appears in this fun, pulpy early work from the award-winning science fiction novelist Philip K. Dick.

Set in San Francisco in the late 1950s, Humpty Dumpty in Oakland is a tragicomedy of misunderstandings among used car dealers and real-estate salesmen: the small-time, struggling individuals for whom Philip K.Dick always reserved his greatest sympathy. Jim Fergesson is an elderly garage owner with a heart condition, who is about to retire; Al Miller is a somewhat feckless mechanic who sublets part of Jim''s lot and finds his livelihood threatened by the decision to sell; Chris Harman is a record-company owner who for years has relied on Fergesson to maintain his cars. When Harman hears of Fergesson''s impending retirement he tips him off to what he says is a cast-iron business proposition: a development in nearby Marin County with an opening for a garage. Al Miller is convinced that Harman is a crook, out to fleece Fergesson of his life''s savings. As much as he resents Fergesson he can''t bear to see it happen and--denying to himself all the time what he is doing--he sets out to thwart Harman. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

From the legendary author Philip K. Dick, The Hanging Stranger is a chilling tale of an alien invasion that will leave you wrapped in suspense. Step back into the Golden Age of science fiction with this masterful work by the prolific short story author behind blockbuster films such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report. In this gripping short story, meet Ed Loyce, a store owner with a disturbing discovery: a stranger hanging from a lamppost. To his utter horror, the townspeople appear unbothered by the gruesome sight. As Ed investigates further, he uncovers evidence that alien insects have infiltrated and taken control of his once-idyllic town. As the web of deception deepens, Ed struggles to expose the real threat lurking behind every corner. With the danger increasing, he finds himself face-to-face with the authorities - but can they, too, be trusted? The Hanging Stranger is an irresistible descent into the heart-pounding world of alien invasion. With its unique twists and shocking conclusion, this suspense-filled classic will have you questioning who to trust and what''s really lurking in the shadows. Prepare for a masterful study in paranoia and creepy suspense that sci-fi enthusiasts and fans of speculative fiction won''t want to miss.