Most Popular Books by Poul Anderson

With this new novel, science fiction and fantasy grandmaster Poul Anderson has crafted a powerful story of a mighty queen, magic, and the mastery of ancient nations. Blending characters both historical and mythological, Mother of Kings is the tale of Gunnhild, Queen of England and Norway, who loomed so large in the tenth century-at the end of the Age of the Vikings-that she became a figure of legend, even of myth. As a child of just seven summers, Gunnhild finds herself fascinated with the powers of a witchwoman who is a concubine of her father''s, a powerful Norse chieftain. She also finds another fascination in handsome and lordly Eirik, son of their king. When her mother dies, Gunnhild promises, "I will never yield," and that, "through me, our blood shall flow greatly." Gunnhild has learned from her chieftain father the way the powerful use the weak. But there are other lessons and other powers she seeks. Sent away to learn the magic of a pair of shamans, Gunnhild becomes a Spaewife-a knower of the Gods, a master in the ways of witchcraft and sorcery. Aided by her new abilities, Gunnhild marries Eirik. She is destined to become queen, and her magic is a fearsome complement to Eirik''s strength. But Eirik''s enemies are cunning, and Gunnhild is soon without his might. If Gunnhild can keep the promise she made as a child to never yield, her family''s blood will flow greatly, and the sons she bore Eirik will each become a king. Her own struggles, though, are far from over . . . .

Step into the boundless universe of "Amazing Tales Volume 68", an enthralling science fiction anthology meticulously curated as an extraordinary anthology offering unparalleled expedition. This extraordinary compilation transcends the ordinary, inviting you to journey through stories that illuminate the mysterious corridors of space, plumb the untouched depths of our oceans, and unravel the intricate tapestry of human and alien relationships. Dive into the cosmic intrigue of "Industrial Revolution", where forgotten technology and machine amnesia ignite a fierce war across the asteroid belt, testing the limits of interplanetary diplomacy. Meanwhile, "The Sensitive Man" plunges you into the enigmatic waters of an underwater city, where hidden abilities and a shadowy cabal threaten to upend the delicate balance of power. Venture across the Martian landscape in "Duel on Syrtis", a heart-pounding chase that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And let "Sentiment, Inc". touch your heart and provoke your thoughts, as it masterfully intertwines ambition with the nuances of romance. But the adventure doesn''t stop there. Traverse a series of interconnected sagas featuring the mysterious Simon Dalgetty, a character who confronts political machinations, survival challenges, and ethical quandaries across mesmerizing locales. The authors tackle timeless themes of identity, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. Whether you''re a devotee of space operas, dystopian landscapes, or the gripping allure of suspense and survival tales, "Amazing Tales Volume 68" promises a remarkable journey through the celestial and cerebral realms of science fiction. Prepare to be captivated, as this anthology elevates the genre to new heights with its vivid storytelling and limitless imagination.

Dive into the enthralling universe of "Amazing Tales Volume 161", an anthology that delves into the complex themes of heroism, destiny, and the human spirit against vast cosmic backdrops. Each story weaves a unique tapestry, offering readers a glimpse into worlds where reality is as fluid as the stars themselves. In "To Make a Hero" by Randall Garrett, we meet Leland Hale, a man caught in a galaxy where history is as mutable as the shifting sands of time. This tale of crime and intrigue explores the concept of heroism through the lens of perception and truth, challenging readers to reconsider what makes someone a hero in a world where reality is always in flux. Transitioning from the mutable galaxy to the cold expanse of space, "The Band Played On" by Lester Del Rey follows Captain Thomas Murdock, a space-bound garbage collector. Murdock''s routine existence is upended by echoes of destiny that resonate through the storms he faces. Del Rey crafts a poignant narrative that melds the mundane with the celestial, prompting readers to ponder the true essence of heroism amidst the chaos of life. Lastly, "The High Ones" by Poul Anderson takes us aboard a starship where mutineers have severed ties with a Red-ruled Earth. Eben Holbrook, a skilled nucleonics engineer, finds himself amidst rising tensions and fractured alliances. As he battles his inner demons, Holbrook clings to a fragile hope, offering a gripping tale of endurance and the quest for freedom in the depths of space. "Amazing Tales Volume 161" invites readers on an unforgettable journey through the stars, where each story offers a distinct perspective on heroism and human resilience. With its rich narratives and compelling characters, this anthology is a testament to the boundless possibilities of science fiction storytelling.

Nebula and World Fantasy Award Finalist: A fantastic tale of intrigue, love, war, magic, and swashbuckling adventure set in an alternate universe where fairies mingle freely with Englishmen and all of Shakespeare''s fictional characters are real Welcome to an alternate civil-war-torn seventeenth-century England—a world where Hamlet once brooded and Othello jealously raged. Here faeries and sprites gambol in English woods, railroads race across the landscape while manned balloons float above the countryside, and the most respected historian of all is one William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. The year is 1644, and the war between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers rages. When Rupert, nephew of King Charles I, is taken captive by Cromwell''s troops and imprisoned in a Puritan home, he is immediately smitten with the beautiful Jennifer Alayne, his captor''s niece. Escaping with the help of his newfound beloved and the loyal trooper Will Fairweather, Rupert leads Jennifer deep into the forest, where the faerie folk who dwell there have a vested interest in the outcome of the great and bloody conflict. Though the lovers must soon part—with the prince undertaking a dangerous mission for his magical benefactors that could turn the tide of war—Rupert and his lady love will be forever joined by the rings presented to them by King Oberon and Queen Titania. And despite the strange, twisting pathways and turbulent seas they are destined to encounter, they will always be able to find each other again . . . as long as their love remains true. Nominated for the World Fantasy Award and winner of the Mythopoeic Award, Poul Anderson''s A Midsummer Tempest is a titanic achievement—a delightful alternate-history fantasy that brings the fictional worlds of Shakespeare''s plays to breathtaking life with style, wit, and unparalleled imagination.

From the multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grandmaster, a new novel of classic science fiction adventure Mystery, discovery, and wonder on a cosmic scale are the core of Anderson’s latest novel. Lissa, a human Earth woman, and her partner, “Karl,” a giant alien academic who resembles Tyrannosaurs—are interstellar archaeologists investigating the remote and uncharted planet Jonna. There, they seem to have hit the jackpot. For on that distant world they’ve discovered an immense artifact that may have been left by the mysterious beings called the Forerunners. This race predated all the known cultures in the starfaring galaxy and vanished long before any other intelligent species had taken to the stars. But Lissa and Karl aren’t the first to have made the discovery on Jonna. On the far-off world the archaeologists cross paths with the two freebooters whose plans for motives towards the arcane object are not purely scientific. Their discovery may be the best preserved relic of the ancient beings yet found. Other artifacts from the Forerunners—once reverse engineers—have revolutionized entire fields of technology, reaping huge financial rewards. If the same holds true for this newest discovery, Lissa realizes, only she and Karl stand between the seemingly friendly freebooters and what could be the treasure of a lifetime.

Sequel to Harvest of stars and the Stars are also fire.

Humans and their genetically altered descendants struggle to find their place in a universe controlled by a benevolent artificial intelligence in this brilliant classic of future speculation On a far-future Earth, a linked system of artificial intelligences called the cybercosm runs the planet and the universe far more efficiently than any flesh and blood ruler ever could, in essence rendering the human race obsolete. On the Earth''s moon, genetically engineered Lunarians carrying the DNA of Dagney Beynac—a descendant of the legendary Anton Guthrie, founder of the powerful and visionary Fireball Enterprises—struggle to preserve their lives, their freedom, and their satellite''s resources in the face of threats posed by encroaching humans and controlling machines. Over a span of five centuries, tensions have increased in the wake of the political and technological revolutions that reshaped their universe. And suddenly radical change is in the offing once more, as a secret kept hidden since the earliest days of Lunar colonization is about to be revealed—one that could effectively shut down the cybercosm and plunge the universe into chaos. Poul Anderson advances the worlds-shattering circumstances he so brilliantly introduced in Harvest of Stars, creating a vision of the future that is at once astonishing, provocative, and troubling. A true science fiction classic, The Stars Are Also Fire explores deep questions about the nature, complexity, and worth of humankind in an unforgettable novel considered by many to be Anderson''s masterpiece.

Seeking freedom from their oppressive Earth government, a ragtag group of idealists embark on a perilous journey to find a new world light-years from home. A Grand Master of Science Fiction Hugo and Nebula Award–Winning Author On a future Earth, gone are the halcyon days of the early space program, when the universe held endless promise and excitement. Overcrowded, ruled by a corrupt autocracy, and plagued by vast economic inequalities, life on Earth has become nightmarish, and the promise of a world beyond the planet is diminishing rapidly as the government begins shuttering its interstellar efforts. But for a small band of rebels called Constitutionalists, escaping into the vast universe beyond is the only hope. And so off they set for a distant planet where they can start over, building a new society on the principle of liberty, testing the very limits of human capability. Their years-long trip is not without its tribulations, from internecine conflict on the ship to ambiguous pleas from Earth to return. Their destination, an Earth-like planet called Rustum, is twenty light-years away, and through every treacherous moment of the journey they know that their most harrowing trials are yet to come when they finally reach their new home. The story of Rustum and the Constitutionalists who settled there continues in New America.

When the Baburites, an alien race, claim the phenomenally metal-rich core of the blasted planet, Mirkheim, a union of interplanetary governments joins with the Terran empire''s Polesotechnic League in clamoring for war against the interlopers.

Continuing from Orbit Unlimited, New America is the next chapter in the story of the planet Rustum, where the Constitutionalists continue their mission to build a more perfect nation Civilization on Rustum has come a long way since its early days, when a few brave colonists traveled twenty light-years from Earth to found a society, New America, on the principle of personal liberty. Some call themselves Constitutionalists, others Jeffersonians, but whatever the title everyone can agree: Rustum has a problem. With one-and-a-quarter times the gravitational force of Earth and a host of inedible flora, Rustum is most habitable on its highlands, leaving the lowlands sparsely populated and creating a great imbalance on the planet. Dan Coffin, an original settler of Rustum, agrees to join an expedition back to the lowlands, where he is one of the rare individuals who can survive in the dense air without a helmet. New America follows Coffin''s endeavors to build a new life with a wife, children, and an effective governing body that can help give the lowlanders not only survive, but thrive.

The dancer from Atlantis: Duncan Reid; a twentieth-century American architect, regained consciousness only to find himself hopelessly marooned in the far distant past along with a medieval Russian, a fourth-century Hun, and a sacred priestess who worshiped him as a god. Together they formed a strange alliance which non dared break. For if their alliance failed all of them might perish.

Stories consider in detail the reaction of society to a unique and astonishing, even a miracle, and all three stories deal with many facets in a single concept.

Two short novels tell of a military unit called the Catamounts trying to enforce martial law in the Pacific States of America, and life aboard the ship Windrush, a ship that sails nowhere

Poul Anderson''s Tau Zero is an outstanding work of science fiction, in part because it combines two qualities that are often at odds in this genre: an interest in the emotional lives of its characters and a fascination with all things technological and scientific. In Tau Zero these components are not merely fused; they work together with a remarkable synergy that makes the novel much more than just a deep space adventure story. The novel centers on a ten-year interstellar voyage aboard the spaceship Leonora Christine, and it opens with members of the crew preparing for their departure from earth. It is an especially moving departure because they know that while they are aboard the ship and traveling close to the speed of light, time will be passing much more quickly back home. As a result, by the time they return everyone they know will have long since died. From practically the very first page, therefore, Tau Zero sets the scientific realities of space travel in dramatic tension with the no-less-real emotional and psychological states of the travelers. This is a dynamic Anderson explores with great success over the course of the novel as fifty crewmembers settle in for the long journey together. They are a highly-trained team of scientists and researchers, but they are also a community of individuals, each trying to make a life for him or herself in space. This is the background within which the action of the novel takes place. Anderson carefully depicts the network of relationships linking these people before the real plot begins to unfold. The voyage soon takes a unexpected and disastrous turn for the worse. The ship passes through a small, uncharted, cloudlike nebula that makes it impossible for the crew to decelerate the ship. The only hope, in fact, is for the ship to speed up. But acceleration towards the speed of light means that time outside the spaceship passes even more quickly, and the crew finds itself hurtling deeper into space and further into the future.