Last and First Men"No book before or since has ever had such an impact upon my imagination," declared Arthur C. Clarke of Last and First Men. This masterpiece of science fiction by British philosopher and writer Olaf Stapledon (1886–1950) is an imaginative, ambitious history of humanity's future that spans billions of years. Together with its follow-up, Star Maker, it is regarded as the standard by which all earlier and later future histories are measured. The protagonist of this compelling novel is humanity itself, stripped down to sheer intelligence. It evolves through the ages: rising to pinnacles of civilization, teetering on the brink of extinction, surviving onslaughts from other planets and a decline in solar energy, and constantly developing new forms, new senses, and new intellectual abilities. From the present to five billion years into the future, this romance of humanity abounds in profound and imaginative thought. |
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able achieved activity actually admiration already American ancient animal appeared beauty became become began beginning biological body brain called centuries China civilization completely conceived continued course culture destroyed developed direct earlier earth effect energy Europe existence experience expression fact Fifth first forced future hand human human species increased individual industrial influence intelligence interest Italy kind land less living longer man’s manner Martian material matter means mental merely million mind nature never occurred once organization party passed past peace period persons physical planet population possible practical present primitive produced race racial regarded remained respect Second seemed sense serious sexual social sometimes species spirit terrestrial things Third thought thousand tion true turn units unity universe vast vital whole wholly young