Postscript
Since this essay first appeared, in 1975, much further thought and study have been going on. The likelihood of the “starbow” has been questioned; so has the practicality of the Bussard ramjet. These matters are still controversial, though. Meanwhile, the idea of a matter-antimatter rocket is looking more hopeful than it formerly did. The whole field of interstellar astronautics remains lively, exciting, and infinitely promising.
But mankind will never see that promise fulfilled unless we, today, continue pioneering in those parts of space that we can already reach.
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.
NEW AMERICA
Copyright © 1982 by Poul Anderson
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.
A TOR Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, Inc., 8-10 W. 36th St., New York, New York 10018
First TOR printing, December 1982
Second printing, May 1984
ISBN: 0-812-48553-0
Cover art by Tom Kidd
Printed in the United States of America
Acknowledgements: The stories contained herein were first published and are copyright as follows:
“My Own, My Native Land:” Continuum I, copyright© 1974 by Roger Elwood
“Passing the Love of Women:” Continuum II, copyright© 1974 by Roger Elwood
“A Fair Exchange:” Continuum III, copyright© 1974 by Roger Elwood
“To Promote the General Welfare:” Continuum IVcopyright© 1975 by Roger Elwood
“The Queen of Air and Darkness:” The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, copyright ©1971 by Mercury Press, Inc. “Home:” Orbit I, copyright ©1966 by Berkeley Publishing Corporation
“Our Many Roads to the Stars:” Galaxy, copyright© 1975 by Universal Publishing and Distributing Corporation.