Vernor Vinge has been writing terrific hard SF since the early 1960s, and in the last eight years his career has taken off.

Vinge is unique among sf writers in that he is asked to speak to groups of scientists in many fields, especially the field of artificial intelligence, which he dealt with in his groundbreaking short novel, True Names (1981). But even before his first novel, Grimm's World (1969) was published, he was writing short stories that brought him to the attention of the SF reading public.

Here is the real deal, all the stories, including such classics as "The Ungoverned" which was nominated for both Hugo and Nebula Awards, "The Blabber," the first story set in his now famous "Zones of Thought" universe, and many other wonderful stories, accompanied by the author's own comments about the stories, the circumstances that led to their creation, and other fascinating information by and about Vernor Vinge.

Vinge's short fiction has all the hallmarks of his longer work, with great science fictional ideas, well drawn characters, compelling plots, and fastpaced, thought-provoking action. This book will be sure to find great acceptance with his burgeoning audience.