The Thing in the Stone

A mind-opening collection of short science fiction from one of the genre's most revered Grand Masters.

Legendary author Robert A. Heinlein proclaimed, “To read science fiction is to read Simak. A reader who does not like Simak stories does not like science fiction at all.” The remarkably talented Clifford D. Simak was able to ground his vast imagination in reality, and then introduce readers to fantastical worlds and concepts they could instantly and completely dig into, comprehend, and enjoy. The Thing in the Stone and Other Stories collects several of his astonishing, visionary tales.

In the title story, a man's newfound ability to walk in the past allows him to dwell among dinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers . . . and something even more timeless. In “Construction Shack,” the first manned expedition to Pluto reveals that no matter how advanced aliens may be, even they don't always get everything right. And in “Univac 2200,” the thin line between humans creating technology and humans becoming technology is about to be crossed—and there may be no going back.

Each story includes an introduction by David W. Wixon, literary executor of the Clifford D. Simak estate and editor of this ebook.

The third author to be honored as a Grand Master of Science Fiction by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), Clifford D. Simak also received three Hugo Awards, a Nebula Award, an International Fantasy Award, and a Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award.