In 'On the Storm Planet,' Cordwainer Smith continues the odyssey of Casher O'Neill, interweaving a rich narrative with a tapestry of far-future mythology that has become the author's signature. Smith's blend of psychological depth and colorful world-building is present as O'Neill wrestles with the ethics of his assassination mission. The book commands attention with its sophisticated prose and the elaborate sociopolitical environment of the Instrumentality of Mankind, Smith's encompassing vision of a distant future. The story is set against a backdrop of the author's broader literary canvas, acting both as a standalone tale and an integral piece of the larger mythos. Smith's work here is not merely science fiction but a meditation on morality and identity amidst a universe of diverse beings and complex motivations. Cordwainer Smith, the pseudonym of Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, was a noted East Asia scholar and psychological warfare expert, whose profound understanding of human psychology and cultural complexities permeate his writings. His academic and professional experiences have undoubtedly informed his character development and thematic preoccupations, imbuing the narrative with a sense of authenticity and depth rarely seen in the genre. Smith's background provides a unique lens through which he examines the consequences of power, the nature of governance, and the human spirit's resilience. Readers seeking not only an escape but also an intellectual challenge will find 'On the Storm Planet' an engaging work. The novel invites contemplation on human behavior while delivering an adventurous story set amongst the stars. Smith's skillful handling of themes such as authority, rebellion, and the struggle for personal integrity makes this book a recommended read for those who appreciate science fiction with a profound edge, or indeed for anyone intrigued by the human condition when tested by the extraordinary circumstances of an imagined future.

This remarkable science-fiction explores the story of Sto Odin, a Lord of the Instrumentality, and his two robots, who are imprinted with the minds of dead men. The story follows their travel in search of Gebiet, an underground city without the dull, enforced happiness of the surface world.

"Scanners Live in Vain" is an incredible science fiction set in the distant future, when traveling to space has become routine. However, to resist the unexplained pain of space, humans are converted into "scanners," so they don't have any senses except the ability to see and hear. This short work showcases Cordwainer Smith's vision of the future and its authorities.

Welcome to the strangest, most distinctive future ever imagined by a science fiction writer. An interstellar empire ruled by the mysterious Lords of the Instrumentality, whose access to the drug stroon, from the planet Norstrilia, confers on them virtual immortality. A world in which wealthy and leisured humanity is served by the underpeople, genetically engineered animals turned into the semblance of people. A world in which the great ships which sail between the stars are eventually supplanted by the mysterious, instantaneous technique of planoforming. A world of wonder and myth, and extraordinary imagination.

This is a fascinating science fiction novel about Rod McBan, a wealthy kid from the most prosperous planet in the galaxy, Norstrilia. He buys earth without even realizing what he has done. It is a fun, imaginative, and fast-paced novel, a must-read for science fiction fans.

Three To A Given Star' is an incredible science fiction short story. Samm, Folly, and Finsternis travel through space to reach Linschoten V. They were once human but are now a two-hundred-meter-high metal man, an eleven-meter-long ship, and a fifty-meter-sided cube.

"No one ever wrote like Smith, with his special blend of intense myth-making and rich invention!"--Publishers Weekly Cordwainer Smith was one of the original visionaries to think of humanity in terms of thousands of years in the future, spread out across the universe. This brilliant collection, often cited as the first of its kind, explores fundamental questions about ourselves and our treatment of the universe (and other beings) around us and ultimately what it means to be human. In "Scanners Live in Vain" we meet Martel, a human altered to be part machine--a scanner--to be able withstand the trauma space travel has on the body. Despite the stigma placed on him and his kind, he is able to regrasp his humanity to save another. In "The Dead Lady of Clown Town" we get to know the underpeople--animals genetically altered to exist in human form, to better serve their human owners--and meet D'Joan, a dog-woman who will make readers question who is more human: the animals who simply want to be recognized as having the same right to life, or the people who created them to be inferior. In "The Ballad of Lost C'mell" the notion of love being the most important equalizer there is--as first raised in "The Dead Lady of Clown Town"--is put into action when an underperson, C'mell, falls in love with Lord Jestocost. Who is to say her love for him is not as valid as any true-born human? She might be of cat descent, but she is all woman! And in "A Planet Named Shayol" it is an underperson of bull descent, and beings so mutilated and deformed from their original human condition to be now considered demons of a hellish land, who retain and display the most humanity when Mankind commits the most inhumane action of all.

This is the only novel Cordwainer Smith ever wrote during his distinguished career. It tells the story of a boy form the planet Old North Australia (where rich, simple farmers grow the immortality drug Stroon), how he bought Old Earth, and how his visit to Earth changed both him and Earth itself. "Vividly drawn and wonderfully suggestive...confirms that Cordwainer Smith was one of science fiction's most original writers." -- "Science Fiction: The Best 100 Novels" "Better than any writer we've yet seen, Smith represents the sense of awe and wonder that is the heart of science fiction." -- Scott Edelman, "Science Fiction Age"

The Store Of Heart's Desire' is a gripping story of planet Norstrilia. It is a semi-arid planet where an immortality drug called stroon is harvested from huge, virus-infected sheep, weighing more than 100 tons. Norstrilians were nominally the wealthiest people in the galaxy and protected their immensely valuable stroon with advanced weapons. Yet, high taxes ensured that everyone on the planet lived a rural life, like the farmers of old Australia, to keep the Norstrilians tough.

In "The Dead Lady of Clown Town," Cordwainer Smith weaves a rich tapestry of science fiction that juxtaposes themes of love, sacrifice, and the haunting resonance of memory against a vividly imagined cosmic backdrop. Smith's distinctive literary style is marked by a lyrical prose that elevates the genre, drawing readers into a world where emotional depth is intertwined with elaborate, almost mythic narratives. This story stands as part of Smith's broader sagas concerning the Instrumentality of Mankind, exploring the intricate interplay of humanity with technology and the cosmos, while also serving as a poignant reflection on the nature of mortality and the quest for meaning in an indifferent universe. Cordwainer Smith, the pen name of Paul Linebarger, was notably influenced by his experiences as a military officer and a scholar of Eastern philosophy. His unique perspective on the complexities of human nature and societal structures shaped his narrative choices, allowing him to create communities that reflect profound emotional landscapes. Much of his writing draws upon his fascination with mythology and the moral quandaries faced by individuals in a futuristic setting, making "The Dead Lady of Clown Town" a vivid expression of his distinctive vision. This novella is a must-read for aficionados of speculative fiction, offering a haunting yet beautiful meditation on the fragility of life, the weight of memory, and the connections that bind us. Readers seeking a thought-provoking exploration of humanity's future will find Smith's work an invaluable addition to their literary journey, providing both profound insights and a gripping narrative that lingers long after the last page is turned.