Books

Octavo, boards. First edition. Later expanded and rewritten as THE CITY AND THE STARS (1956), this earlier version is still preferred by many readers. This copy has a brief signed inscription to "Bill" by Kelly Freas, who painted the illustration for the dust jacket. Anatomy of Wonder (2004) II-245. Survey of Science Fiction Literature I, pp. 374-77. A fine copy in fine price-clipped dust jacket. (#135223).

Against the Fall of Night is a novel by British author Arthur C. Clarke, originally appearing as a novella in the November 1948 issue of 'Startling Stories.' Clarke expanded the story and published it in book form in 1953. The novel takes place a billion years in the future, in the city of Diaspar. Humanity has retreated to this single, opulent city, protected from the harsh outside world by technological marvels. Alvin, the protagonist, is a young man who is not content with the stagnant perfection of Diaspar and seeks to explore the mysterious past and unknown future of mankind.