The astounding new novel from the master of science fiction. THE EARTH WAS A TICKING TIME BOMB. To ensure the survival they had to look beyond its atmosphere. So they became pioneers. Five thousand years later and their progeny form seven distinct races and they must journey to an alien: Earth. A magnificent, visionary work of speculative fiction from a true visionary that will dazzle you with its depth, psychology and awesome imagination.

Neal Stephenson is the author of Reamde, Anathem; the three-volume historical epic the Baroque Cycle (Quicksilver, The Confusion, and The System of the World); Cryptonomicon, The Diamond Age, Zodiac and the iconic Snow Crash, named one of Time magazine's top one hundred all-time best English-language novels. He lives in Seattle, Washington.