Discover the epic journey of humanity in Olaf Stapledon's groundbreaking science fiction novel, Last and First Men: A Story of the Near and Far Future. Written in 1930, this visionary work takes readers on an unprecedented adventure spanning two billion years of human history. From the present day onwards, Stapledon unveils the rise and fall of...More
Olaf Stapledon was the esteemed British philosopher and science fiction author. Inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2014, Stapledon's imaginative works have left an indelible mark on the genre. Born in Seacombe, Wallasey, he spent his early years in Egypt before pursuing his education at Abbotsholme School and Balliol College, Oxford. After a brief teaching stint, Stapledon immersed himself in the shipping industry and later worked with the Workers' Educational Association. As a conscientious objector during the First World War, he served as an ambulance driver, showcasing his bravery and earning the Croix de Guerre. These experiences deeply influenced his pacifist beliefs and his advocacy for a World Government....More
Olaf Stapledon was the esteemed British philosopher and science fiction author. Inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2014, Stapledon's imaginative works have left an indelible mark on the genre. Born in Seacombe, Wallasey, he spent his early years in Egypt before pursuing his education at Abbotsholme School and Balliol College, Oxford. After a brief teaching stint, Stapledon immersed himself in the shipping industry and later worked with the Workers' Educational Association. As a conscientious objector during the First World War, he served as an ambulance driver, showcasing his bravery and earning the Croix de Guerre. These experiences deeply influenced his pacifist beliefs and his advocacy for a World Government. In 1919, Stapledon married Agnes Zena Miller, with whom he had a daughter and a son. Settling in West Kirby, he earned a PhD in philosophy from the University of Liverpool and published his first prose book, A Modern Theory of Ethics, based on his doctoral thesis. However, it was his venture into fiction that propelled him into the literary world and solidified his decision to become a full-time writer. Subsequent works, including the sequel Last Men in London, showcased his unique blend of fiction and philosophy. During the Second World War, Stapledon temporarily abandoned his pacifist stance to support the war effort. Following the war, he embarked on numerous lecture tours across Europe, advocating for peace and international cooperation. Deeply committed to combating apartheid, Stapledon tragically passed away from a heart attack in 1950. His ashes were scattered at his cherished spot overlooking the Dee Estuary.
Book Summary
Discover the epic journey of humanity in Olaf Stapledon's groundbreaking science fiction novel, Last and First Men: A Story of the Near and Far Future. Written in 1930, this visionary work takes readers on an unprecedented adventure spanning two billion years of human history. From the present day onwards, Stapledon unveils the rise and fall of eighteen distinct human species, with our own serving as the first. As the novel unfolds, an intriguing narrative conceit emerges—the author unknowingly channels a text dictated by the last surviving human species, adding a mysterious and captivating element to the tale. Stapledon's grand conception of history reveals a cyclic pattern, where civilizations emerge from the depths of savagery only to eventually decline. However, with each rise, the later civilizations reach unimaginable heights surpassing their predecessors. Within the pages of Last and First Men, readers encounter an exploration of genetic engineering, offering a glimpse into the future of scientific advancement. Additionally, the novel introduces the concept of the fictional supermind—a collective consciousness formed by telepathically linked individuals.
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LAST AND FIRST MEN (A STORY OF THE NEAR AND FAR FUTURE)
Olaf Stapledon
