The Demolished Man.
by BESTER, Alfred
- Used
- Hardcover
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
London, London, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
1953. Chicago: Shasta Publishers, 1953. 8vo., original blue cloth-backed maroon boards, lettered in white to upper board and gilt along spine; upper edge black; pp. [xii], 11-250, [iv]; a near-fine copy, lightly bumped at the corners and slightly toned to the text-block; jacket with some small nicks and chips to extremities, particularly along spine; one slightly larger chip to foot of inner front flap; very good nonetheless, and virtually unfaded along the spine. Second edition, stated. Inscribed by the author in black felt pen to the title page: "For Shelia and Connie with much love by Alfie/ April 1969", above his crossed-out printed name. Set in the year 2031, a wealthy man (and coincidentally murderer) named Reich attempts to evade capture from a telepathic policeman. In an SF Site Featured Review, Todd Richmond wrote that the book is "a complicated game of manoeuvring, evasion, and deception", adding "the game is a very interesting one, because while Reich is a very rich man and has considerable resources, Polwell [sic] has an entire network of peepers to help him gather information and obtain evidence... The best part of Bester's story is its timelessness... There are few references to outlandish or dated technology (with the exception of a punch card computer!) or outrageous social practices or fashions. While Bester's future isn't utopia, neither is it a post-apocalyptic nightmare... Bester extrapolates his view of the 50s forward in time, recognizing that while things like technology will change, basic human nature will not." Some have compared the plot to a sci-fi twist on Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.
Synopsis
The Demolished Man, by Alfred Bester, is a science fiction novel that was the first Hugo Award winner in 1953. The story was first serialized in three parts, beginning with the January 1952 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction, followed by publication of the novel in 1953. The novel is dedicated to Galaxy's editor, H. L. Gold, who made suggestions during its writing. Bester's title was Demolition!, but Gold talked him out of it.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Henry Sotheran Ltd. (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 2117504
- Title
- The Demolished Man.
- Author
- BESTER, Alfred
- Book Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Date Published
- 1953
Terms of Sale
Henry Sotheran Ltd.
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Henry Sotheran Ltd.
Biblio member since 2018
London, London
About Henry Sotheran Ltd.
Founded in York in 1761 and established in London on 1815, Henry Sotheran Limited has a long and distinguished history.For over 250 years we have been offering unsurpassed opportunities to collectors. Throughout our history we have prided ourselves on the quality and condition of our books and our friendly service.Our premises just off Piccadilly in the heart of London's West End are spacious and elegantly appointed and we welcome regular clients and passers-by alike to wander in and browse in a relaxing and convivial atmosphere.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....