A future war is being fought across the galaxy and the key to victory can be found on the legendary lost world where humanity originated-Earth. But even if the lost home world can be found, there may be no place for humans on it anymore. The creatures who are now the sole inhabitants, and which mankind once dominated, have been raised to a high level of intelligence and the future they plan is not one with any room for the former rulers of the planet. This future saga is here assembled for the first time, as well as several bonus short novels in a huge volume of highly original space adventure.
From publisher’s website:
NOT ONLY STRANGER THAN YOU IMAGINE, STRANGER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE
In a distant future when humans no longer need spaceships, but hurtle between the stars faster than light, propelled and protected by implants in their bodies, the galaxy has been divided between two battling factions who contend for dominance by economic maneuvering. Each side is determined to overwhelm the other, and is likely to abandon the Econo-War for a genuine shooting war if it thinks that defeat is imminent. Only one thing can avert the looming disaster: a talisman of great, almost supernatural power which has been lost for millennia on a minor world called Earth.
Here, The Econo-War is collected in one continuous novel-length narrative for the first time, along with other dazzling visions of future worlds: A planet where well-meaning busybodies from Earth try to cure the inhabitants of their craving for the exotic drug chocolate … another planet where insects dimly recall myths of the humans who gave them intelligence before departing for the stars, and wonder if the strange creatures will ever return … a brilliant concert pianist whose twin is the target of an inexplicable assassination plot which he must foil—because he and his twin share the same brain … an intelligent weapon which was instructed billions of years ago to obliterate a race, but whose mission was frustrated by a slight malfunction—until now . . . and much more by a unique and original master of science fiction adventure.
In the 1960s, Myers’ stories came pouring out—almost every one of them excellent, ranging from the chilling to some of the wittiest science fiction stones ever written. —Eric Flint and Guy Gordon
Publisher’s Note: Among insiders, Baen Books has become quite renowned for its penchant for rediscovering great SF, and Eric Flint has become famous for compiling and editing old greats. You probably haven’t met Verge Foray (pen-name of Howard L. Myers) before. Well, lucky you; this is your chance to test out Baen’s reputation, and Eric’s, plus you have a pretty good shot at several hours of solid, edifying entertainment. —Jim Baen