New Releases by Robert Silverberg

In the far future, Earth is a worn-out backwater and humanity is spread across the galaxy on worlds that began as colonies, but now feel like home, each with its own long history of a thousand years or more, and each with its own unique culture. One of the strangest is on Borthan, where the founding settlers established the Covenant, which teaches that the self is to be despised, and forbids anyone to reveal his innermost thoughts or feelings to another. On Borthan, the filthiest obscenities imaginable are the words "I" and "me." For the heinous crime of "self-baring," apostates have always paid with exile or death, but after his eyes are opened by a visitor from Earth, Kinnall Darival, prince of Salla, risks everything to teach his people the real meaning of being human. With a new introduction by the author, and the first-ever map of Borthan, this classic, out of print since 1992, is a fantastic new addition to the Orb imprint.

Eleven science fiction stories from noted authors exploring some of their most popular worlds. The universe of the mind is a limitless expanse of wonders, filled with worlds and secrets that cannot be fully explored within the pages of a single novel. Here, science fiction''s most beloved and highly honored writers revisit their best-known worlds in perhaps the greatest concentration of science fiction ever in one volume. Featuring stories by: Ursula K. Le Guin Joe Halderman Orson Scott Card David Brin Robert Silverberg Dan Simmons Nancy Kress Frederik Pohl Gregory Benford Anne McCaffrey Greg Bear Praise for Far Horizons "Editor Silverberg here does for science fiction series what he did for fantasy sagas in Legends: Stories by the Masters of Modern Fantasy by presenting eleven noted authors of famous series, each exploring some aspect of theirs that they did not find a way of dealing with in the books of the series proper. . . . The stories remain true to their universes and characters, so they deliver good first-contact experiences for series novices as well as happy reading for longtime fans." — Booklist "A sampler of the best of the genre. Highly recommended for series fans and newcomers alike and a good choice for most sf collections." — Library Journal "An ideal combination of the reassuringly familiar and the excitingly new: should prove as popular as its fantasy predecessor." — Kirkus Reviews

As if history and nature had not provided wonders enough, through the ages humans themselves have contrived more marvels to deceive one another. Sometimes they have concocted evidence when none was available to prove pet theories; sometimes their intention has been to impress or defraud; sometimes they have acted merely for sport. ø Robert Silverberg tells the stories of a baker''s dozen of these scientific hoaxers in a lively, good-humored book that ranges through time and across continents. Here are perpetual-motion machines and space rockets, men on the moon and serpents in the sea. The rogues? gallery is a varied one: Dr. Mesmer, who cast his hypnotic spell on eighteenth-century Paris; Charles Dawson, whose Piltdown Man challenged evolution; Dr. Cook, with his tale of ?discovering? the North Pole; and many others. ø These are fascinating stories and more than just entertainment. The author explains the scientific background against which the hoaxes appeared and the detective work that led to their exposure. The schemers teach us to be alert, to challenge the evidence, and to appreciate the healthy skepticism that characterizes the scientific method.

Seeking the immortality promised in an ancient manuscript, The Book of Skulls, four friends, college roommates, go on a spring break trip to Arizona: Eli, the scholar, who found and translated the book; Timothy, scion of an American dynasty, born and bred to lead; Ned, poet and cynic; and Oliver, the brilliant farm boy obsessed with death. Somewhere in the desert lies the House of Skulls, where a mystic brotherhood guards the secret of eternal life. There, the four aspirants will present themselves–and a horrific price will be demanded. For immortality requires sacrifice. Two victims to balance two survivors. One by suicide, one by murder. Now, beneath the gaze of grinning skulls, the terror begins. . . . From the Trade Paperback edition.

Simeon Krug is a man with a vision, and he has the vast wealth necessary to bring it into being. For Krug wishes to communicate with the stars, to answer signals from deep space. The colossal glass tower that he is building for the purpose soars high above the Arctic tundra, a sparkling monument to his determination and obsession. The androids who are working on it are perfect synthetic creations, created by Krug''s own process in Krug''s own factories, and their commitment to the project and their loyalty to Krug are beyond question. For they have made him their god and believe that through him they will become flesh and blood. But Krug is not a god, and when the androids learn the bitter truth their anger is terrible and uncontrollable and threatens much more than Krug''s tower. Tower of Glass is a tense and powerful novel written with the intense creativity and ferocious imagination which characterize Silverberg''s finest work . Dealing intelligently and forthrightly with important themes, it is science fiction at its thrilling best.

Anthologized here for the first time, the author''s five novellas give testimony to his groundbreaking career, including the title story, which won him a Nebula Award.

This is the definitive collection of one of the century''s finest fantasists & features introductions by some of the biggest names in the field. Includes an afterword by Ray Bradbury & Harlan Ellison.

Science fiction novel based on the classic Asimov short story T̀he bicentennial man'', which explores the theme of the future potential of robotics.

Features Jack Vance''s novel of humanity''s final stand and Robert Silverberg''s tale of the watcher''s journey after invaders from outer space gain control of the Earth

A high school boy''s essay discussing the possibility of life on Pluto wins him a job at the 1992 World''s Fair, held aboard a gigantic artificial satellite, and an unexpected trip to Pluto.

Annotated bibliography of novels and stories.

Three tales of science fiction: "How It Was When the Past Went Away, " "The Eve of RUMOKO, " "We All Die Naked."

When their spaceship explodes on a hostile planet, three survivors face certain death unless they can reach a special beacon which will enable them to contact the nearest rescue station.

Battle on Venus: George Starkey needs to find a way to stop the war on Venus before he and his crew become casualties. He helps a Venusian girl complete a quest.