The Final Encyclopedia, Volume One of Two

Childe Cycle #7.1

by Gordon R. Dickson

The Childe Cycle, also known as the Dorsai series, is Gordon R. Dickson's future history of humankind and its ultimate destiny. Now one of its central novels return to print in a two-volume corrected edition.

In The Final Encyclopedia the human race is split into three Splinter the Friendlies, fanatic in their faith; the truth-seeking Exotics; and the warrior Dorsai. But now humanity is threatened by the power-hungry Others, whose triumph would end all human progress.

Hal Mayne is an orphan who was raised by three an Exotic, a Friendly, and a Dorsai. He is the only human capable of uniting humanity against the Others. But only if he is willing to accept his terrifying destiny...as savior of mankind.

A towering landmark of future history, The Final Encyclopedia is a novel every SF fan needs to own.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera

384 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1986

About the author

Gordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author. He was born in Canada, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a teenager. He is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle and the Dragon Knight series. He won three Hugo awards and one Nebula award.

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemingly out of nowhere the Others appear. Larger and smarter than normal humans they soon gain control of most of the settled worlds. Hal Mayne was raised by the Dorsai, the Friendly, and the Exotics. Now with the help of three Dorsai women he must battle the leader of the Others.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little wordy at times -- the differences between the Splinter Cultures, the Full Spectrum humans and the Others is beat to death -- but somehow, I fail to understand *why* Bleys is motivated to do what he does.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as satisfying as it should have been...