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Dorsai
The ''Childe Cycle'' is an unfinished series of science fiction novels by Canadian writer Gordon R. Dickson. The name Childe Cycle is an allusion to "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came", a poem by Robert Browning, which provided inspiration for elements in the work. The series is sometimes referred to as the Dorsai series, after the Dorsai people who are central to it. The related short stories and novellas all center on the Dorsai, primarily members of the Graeme and Morgan families. In addition to the six science fiction novels of the Cycle, Dickson had also planned three historical novels and three novels taking place in the present day. In an essay in his book ''Steel Brother'', Dickson describes how he conceived the Childe Cycle, the panoramic "consciously thematic" treatment of the evolution of the human race, and the planned contents of the six never-written novels. Each group of three novels would include one focused on each of three "archetypes, the Philosopher, the War ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dorsai!
''Dorsai!'' is the first published book of the incomplete Childe Cycle series of science fiction novels by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. Later books are set both before and after the events in ''Dorsai!''. The novel was originally published in serialized form in ''Astounding Science Fiction'', starting in May 1959. A shorter, revised version was published in paperback by Ace in 1960 under the title ''The Genetic General''. A re-edited and expanded version of the novel was published under its original serialized title, ''Dorsai!'', by DAW in 1976. This version of the novel was reissued as one half of an omnibus edition, ''Dorsai Spirit'' by Tor in 2002. The other novel contained in ''Dorsai Spirit'' is ''The Spirit of Dorsai'' (originally published 1979). Plot The book is about Donal Graeme, warrior extraordinaire. In the Childe Cycle universe, the human race has split into a number of splinter cultures. Donal is a member of the Dorsai, a splinter culture based on ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Amanda Morgan (Dorsai)
Amanda Morgan (also ''ap Morgan'' for generations after the First Amanda -- "ap" is a Welsh Patronymic similar to "Mac" in Gaelic) is the name of several fictional characters appearing in Gordon R. Dickson's Childe Cycle series of novels and stories. This includes the protagonist of the novella "Amanda Morgan" in ''The Spirit of Dorsai'' and ''The Dorsai Companion''. Within the Childe Cycle there are several characters that have a triple nature which manifests itself in different ways (see: Welsh Triads) Amanda Morgan is one of them, and as a unique character she is a single character written as three entirely separate people. The three characters are referred to as The First Amanda, The Second Amanda, and The Third Amanda. The Third Amanda is also sometimes referred to as Hal's Amanda. "Amanda" as a name is appropriate, as its definition is "One fit to be loved." Unlike the Donal Graeme - Paul Formain - Hal Mayne trinity (all of whom are actually one person), the three A ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tactics Of Mistake
''Tactics of Mistake'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Gordon R. Dickson, first published as a serial in ''Analog'' in 1970-1971. It is part of Dickson's Childe Cycle series, in which mankind has reached the stars and divided into specialized splinter groups. The fourth book written, it is chronologically the second book of the cycle, occurring roughly a century after ''Necromancer'', and a century before ''Dorsai!''. The primary character, Cletus Grahame, is the ancestor of the key characters in later works: the twins, Ian and Kensie Graeme, and their nephew, Donal Graeme. (The spelling of the last name was changed in intervening generations.) The key theme here is the development of the Dorsai culture, and the creation of the Dorsai military model which makes their soldiers the best among all the settled worlds. It also shows the growth of the separate planetary cultures and their evolution to independence from Earth. Setting In the late 22nd century, humanit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Amanda Morgan
''Amanda Morgan'' is a science fiction novella by American writer Gordon R. Dickson, first published in ''The Spirit of Dorsai'' in 1979 and later included in ''The Dorsai Companion'' in June 1986. The story is set in 2185 on The Dorsai, a key planet and Splinter Culture of Dickson's future history known as the Childe Cycle. "Amanda Morgan" is a perspective piece expanding and illuminating the crisis of the novel ''Tactics of Mistake'', in which the planet known as The Dorsai is attacked for the sake of defeating Cletus Grahame. Amanda Morgan, also known as The First Amanda, leads the resistance in Grahame's home district. The theme of the story may be understood as: Moral strength is more important than physical strength in the struggle for identity. Plot summary In both "Amanda Morgan" and the later portion of ''Tactics of Mistake'', Dow de Castres unites Earth forces and galvanizes Earth opinion against the Splinter Cultures of the colonized worlds and against Cletus Grahame w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Soldier, Ask Not
''Soldier, Ask Not'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Gordon R. Dickson, published in 1967 by Dell Publishing company. It is also the title of a novella which appeared in the October, 1964 issue of ''Galaxy Science Fiction'' magazine. The shorter work constitutes about one third of the novel. It is part of Dickson's Childe Cycle series, in which mankind has reached the stars and divided into specialized splinter groups. It takes place at roughly the same time as'' Dorsai!'', and a few characters appear in both books. Themes from the rest of the cycle are echoed here, particularly the actions of a key person, like Paul Formain, Cletus Grahame and Donal Graeme in the other novels, who can drastically affect history due to his ability to analyze and influence the behavior of others. Unlike the other protagonists, however, Tam Olyn is no hero. Setting In the late 23rd century, humanity has settled fifteen younger worlds around nine stars, including Earth's solar syst ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Dorsai Companion
''The Dorsai Companion'' is a collection of science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson, part of his Childe Cycle series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1986. The collection includes a number of articles by Sandra Miesel. Contents * Introduction: See a Thousand Years * Stars of the Childe Cycle: Mercator Projection, by Sandra Miesel * Worlds of the Childe Cycle, by Sandra Miesel * The Morgans, by Sandra Miesel * The Graemes, by Sandra Miesel * Chronology of the Childe Cycle, by Sandra Miesel * "Amanda Morgan" * "Warrior" * "Lost Dorsai" * "Brothers" * When Your Contract Takes You to the Dorsai World, by Sandra Miesel Sandra Louise Miesel (born Sandra Louise Schwartz on November 25, 1941) is an American medievalist, writer, and science fiction fandom, science fiction and fantasy fan. Her early work was in science fiction and fantasy criticism, fields in which ... References * * * * 1986 short story collections Short story collections by Gordon R. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lost Dorsai (collection)
''Lost Dorsai'' is a collection of science fiction stories by Gordon R. Dickson from his Childe Cycle series. It was first published by Ace Books in 1980. The collection includes two stories that originally appeared in the anthology series ''Destinies'', one that appeared in the magazine ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' and an excerpt from Dickson's novel ''The Final Encyclopedia''. Contents * "Lost Dorsai Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography *Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland *Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have be ..." * "Warrior" * "The Plume and the Sword" * ''The Final Encyclopedia'': An Excerpt References * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lost Dorsai 1980 short story collections Short story collections by Gordon R. Dickson Ace Books books ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Spirit Of Dorsai
''The Spirit of Dorsai'' is a collection of two science fiction stories by American writer Gordon R. Dickson. It was first published by Ace Books in 1979. The collection includes linking material and the stories are part of Dickson's Childe Cycle. The first story, "Amanda Morgan", is original to this collection. The other, "Brothers", originally appeared in the anthology ''Astounding'', edited by Harry Harrison. Contents * Prologue * "Amanda Morgan" * Interlude * "Brothers A brother is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familia ..." * Epilogue References * * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Spirit Of Dorsai, The 1979 short story collections Short story collections by Gordon R. Dickson ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Necromancer (novel)
''Necromancer'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Gordon R. Dickson, published in 1962. It was alternatively titled ''No Room for Man'' between 1963 and 1974 before reverting to its original title. It is the prequel to Dickson's earlier novel ''Dorsai!''. Plot ''Necromancer'' follows the fortunes of Paul Formain, a mining engineer in the late 21st Century who endures several accidents. His quest for self-discovery, and recovery from losing his arm, leads him to embrace the Chantry Guild. The Guild embraces a philosophy of destruction with the hope of making space for the rise of a new evolutionary form of humanity. The instruments in their goals are the Alternate Laws or Alternate Forces. Formain is led to the Chantry Guild after encountering ''Destruct'', a book written by Walter Blunt, the Guild's leader. Formain enlists under the mastery of Necromancer Jason Warren and the ethereal influence of musical vocalist Kantele Maki. His initial goal in joining the guil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Final Encyclopedia
''The Final Encyclopedia'' is a science fiction book by Gordon R. Dickson published in 1984. It is part of the Childe Cycle series. ''The Final Encyclopedia'' transitions from the militaristic action-adventure of the earlier books in the Childe Cycle to a philosophical commentary on the evolution of humankind. Plot summary In the 24th century, humans have spread to multiple planets. Most planets are populated by one of the three Splinter Cultures: the Dorsai, military elite; the Exotics, arts and sciences; the Friendly, zealots of religious faith. A group called the Others, Splinter Culture cross-breeds, are gaining dominance over the outer planets. Hal Mayne, an orphan who was discovered alone on an abandoned spaceship as a baby, is raised on Earth by three guardians, one from each Splinter Culture. One of the leaders of the Others, Bleys Ahrens, comes to the compound to find Hal. The three guardians are killed trying to protect Hal and he escapes to the Final Encyclopedia. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Science Fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, extraterrestrial life, sentient artificial intelligence, cybernetics, certain forms of immortality (like mind uploading), and the singularity. Science fiction predicted several existing inventions, such as the atomic bomb, robots, and borazon, whose names entirely match their fictional predecessors. In addition, science fiction might serve as an outlet to facilitate future scientific and technological innovations. Science fiction can trace its roots to ancient mythology. It is also related to fantasy, horror, and superhero fiction and contains many subgenres. Its exact definition has long been disputed among authors, critics, scholars, and readers. Science fiction, in literature, film, television, and other media, has beco ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Short Story
A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest types of literature and has existed in the form of legends, mythic tales, folk tales, fairy tales, tall tales, fables and anecdotes in various ancient communities around the world. The modern short story developed in the early 19th century. Definition The short story is a crafted form in its own right. Short stories make use of plot, resonance, and other dynamic components as in a novel, but typically to a lesser degree. While the short story is largely distinct from the novel or novella/short novel, authors generally draw from a common pool of literary techniques. The short story is sometimes referred to as a genre. Determining what exactly defines a short story has been recurrently problematic. A classic definition of a short story ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
