Cordwainer Smith

(cover art by Michael Herring)


The Instrumentality of Man

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           There are few writers who are so
           original that every other writer
           is envious of.  Paul (Corwainder
           Smith) is one of those.  There are
           stories that I read some 35 years
           ago, that I still remember so vividly
           that when I came across his name, I
           say in delight, "Ahhh!  So, that's
           who wrote that".

           My favorites include:

             Think Blue, Count Two

             When the People Fell
               (which the above cover
                is an illus of)

             Norstrilia


         and that story from long ago:

             The Crime and the Glory of
                 Commander Suzdal


         The complete works were re-printed
         by Ballantine Books in the four vol's:

              The Instrumentality of Mankind
              Norstrilia
              Quest of the Three Worlds
              The Best of Cordwainer Smith


           Another thing that I like about
           his writing, is that (un-like so
           many other people passing them
           selves off as Sci Fi writers)
           -- the essential one-ness of all
           life, of the "humanity" of all
           beings is never lost.  Even if
           some of his stories that are a
           bit disturbing (he deals directly
           with race discrimination,
           eugenics, etc, in some stories).

           The single truth is that all
           life is sacred.  Very few other
           writers am I envious of who put
           forth this concept, and at the
           same time can write a damned
           good story.  Damned good.

           Oh well, no use carrying a
           grudge over ones jealousy.

           Bless the good doctor, where-ever
           he might be.  One, two.  Well
           that is certainly easy enough.
           Think blue, well yes, I can
           easily imagine something blue....

               Professor Paul Linebarger
                        aka
                  Cordwainer Smith
                     (1913-1966)

          
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