Bøger af Philip K. Dick

The story is set in the distant future, where humanity is at war with "Yuks", an alien life form which does not use mechanical spaceships nor constructions. Instead, it relies on life forms. The war has been going on for a long time, and humanity has not been able to come up with a solution against the life-form based ships and mines that the Yuks use. A human brain-controlled spacecraft would mean mechanical perfection. This was accomplished, and something unforeseen: a strange entity called . . . Mr. Spaceship!

"I have never seen [its] theme handled with greater technical dexterity or given more psychological meaning."-Fantasy and Science FictionWhen a routine tour of a particle accelerator goes awry, Jack Hamilton and the rest of his tour group find themselves in a world ruled by Old Testament morality, where the smallest infraction can bring about a plague of locusts. Escape from that world is not the end, though, as they plunge into a Communist dystopia and a world where everything is an enemy.Philip K. Dick was aggressively individualistic and no worldview is safe from his acerbic and hilarious take downs. Eye in the Sky blends the thrills and the jokes to craft a startling morality lesson hidden inside a comedy.

"Well, Corporal Westerburg," Doctor Henry Harris said gently, "just why do you think you're a plant?" As he spoke, Harris glanced down again at the card on his desk. It was from the Base Commander himself, made out in Cox's heavy scrawl: Doc, this is the lad I told you about. Talk to him and try to find out how he got this delusion. He's from the new Garrison, the new check-station on Asteroid Y-3, and we don't want anything to go wrong there. Especially a silly damn thing like this!

The last spaceship to leave Mars headed for Earth is stopped and searched by Martian soldiers, who are looking for three saboteurs who destroyed a Martian city. "Attention, Inner-Flight ship! Attention! You are ordered to land at the Control Station on Deimos for inspection. Attention! You are to land at once!" The metallic rasp of the speaker echoed through the corridors of the great ship. The passengers glanced at each other uneasily, murmuring and peering out the port windows at the small speck below, the dot of rock that was the Martian checkpoint, Deimos. Stark terror ruled the Inner-Flight ship on that last Mars-Terra run. For the black-clad Leiters were on the prowl ... and the grim red planet was not far behind.

No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war -- perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves! "They pasted Moscow again last night." Taylor nodded his head in approval. "Gave it a real pounding. One of those R-H bombs. It's about time." He sighed, drawing in the full comfort of the kitchen, the presence of his plump, attractive wife, the breakfast dishes and coffee. This was relaxation. And the war news was good, good and satisfying. He could feel a justifiable glow at the news, a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. After all, he was an integral part of the war program, not just another factory worker lugging a cart of scrap, but a technician, one of those who designed and planned the nerve-trunk of the war.

No weapon has ever been frightful enough to put a stop to war -- perhaps because we never before had any that thought for themselves! "They pasted Moscow again last night." Taylor nodded his head in approval. "Gave it a real pounding. One of those R-H bombs. It's about time." He sighed, drawing in the full comfort of the kitchen, the presence of his plump, attractive wife, the breakfast dishes and coffee. This was relaxation. And the war news was good, good and satisfying. He could feel a justifiable glow at the news, a sense of pride and personal accomplishment. After all, he was an integral part of the war program, not just another factory worker lugging a cart of scrap, but a technician, one of those who designed and planned the nerve-trunk of the war.

The story is set in the distant future, where humanity is at war with "Yuks", an alien life form which does not use mechanical spaceships nor constructions. Instead, it relies on life forms. The war has been going on for a long time, and humanity has not been able to come up with a solution against the life-form based ships and mines that the Yuks use. One day, a team of researchers led by Philip Kramer decide to build a spaceship which is powered by a human brain. They find the ideal candidate, Kramer's old professor, a dying man who volunteers to donate his brain to the project. A human brain-controlled spacecraft would mean mechanical perfection. This was accomplished, and something unforeseen: a strange entity called . . . Mr. Spaceship!

In 2007, Philip K. Dick: Four Novels of the 1960s became the fastest selling title in The Library of America's history. The 2008 companion volume, Five Novels of the1960s & 70s, broke series records for advance sales. Now comes a third and final volume gathering the best novels of Dick's final years, when religious revelation, always important in his work, became a dominant and irresistible theme. In A Maze of Death (1970), a darkly speculative mystery that foreshadows Dick's final novels, colonists on the planet Delmak-O try to determine the nature of the God-or "Mentufacturer"-who plots their destiny. The late masterpiece VALIS (1981) is a novelistic reworking of "the events of 2-3-74," when Dick's life was transformed by what he believed was a mystical revelation. It is a harrowing self-portrait of a man torn between conflicting interpretations of what might be gnostic illumination or psychotic breakdown. The Divine Invasion (1981), a sequel to VALIS, is a powerful exploration of gnostic insight and its human consequences. The Transmigration of Timothy Archer (1982), Dick's last novel, is by turns theological thriller, roman à clef, and disenchanted portrait of late 1970s California life, based loosely on the controversial career of Bishop James Pike-a close friend and kindred spirit. LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.

B.J. Harrison reads a science fiction classic by Philip K. Dick. In a post-nuclear world, self-replicating robots are on the loose and thinking independently. Although originally designed to kill Soviet agents, the robots can no longer be trusted. The science fiction story "The Second Variety" from the mid-20th-century examines a world where nuclear war has left behind little of the world known to us and survival becomes increasingly difficult. The story was a finalist for the 1954 Retro-Hugo Award for Best Novelette and was turned into the science fiction horror film "Screamers" (1995).B. J. Harrison started his Classic Tales Podcast back in 2007, wanting to breathe new life into classic stories. He masterfully plays with a wide array of voices and accents and has since then produced over 500 audiobooks. Now in collaboration with SAGA Egmont, his engaging narration of these famous classics is available to readers everywhere.Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) was a prolific and influential American writer who worked in the genre of science fiction. His works carry themes such as alternate realities, authoritarian governments and human nature. Dick won several awards, including a Hugo Award for Best Novel for his novel "The Man in the High Castle" (1962). His works have become part of popular culture, including the cult film "Blade Runner" (1982), which is based on Dick’s novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" (1968).

Conger is in jail and given an opportunity to get out on one condition: he must go back in time and kill a man whose impact changed the world for centuries to come. He receives a skull, which he can use to identify the man when he gets to a different time. Yet upon arriving, he soon discovers that the task will have far more serious consequences than he had ever imagined. The science fiction short story "The Skull" by Philip K. Dick was first published in 1952 and has been republished several times since. Hear the classic as read by B.J. Harrison.B. J. Harrison started his Classic Tales Podcast back in 2007, wanting to breathe new life into classic stories. He masterfully plays with a wide array of voices and accents and has since then produced over 500 audiobooks. Now in collaboration with SAGA Egmont, his engaging narration of these famous classics is available to readers everywhere.Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) was a prolific and influential American writer who worked in the genre of science fiction. His works carry themes such as alternate realities, authoritarian governments and human nature. Dick won several awards, including a Hugo Award for Best Novel for his novel "The Man in the High Castle" (1962). His works have become part of popular culture, including the cult film "Blade Runner" (1982), which is based on Dick’s novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" (1968).

Ed Loyce is a store owner who is faced with a strange sight: someone is hanging from a lamppost. Furthermore, alien insects have taken over yet no one seems to consider things to be out of the ordinary. Ed goes to the police to sort things out and to find out what is going on, only to be thoroughly surprised. The science fiction short story "The Hanging Stranger" by Philip K. Dick from 1953 was adapted into an episode for the television series "Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams". The story is read by the versatile B.J. Harrison. B. J. Harrison started his Classic Tales Podcast back in 2007, wanting to breathe new life into classic stories. He masterfully plays with a wide array of voices and accents and has since then produced over 500 audiobooks. Now in collaboration with SAGA Egmont, his engaging narration of these famous classics is available to readers everywhere.Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) was a prolific and influential American writer who worked in the genre of science fiction. His works carry themes such as alternate realities, authoritarian governments and human nature. Dick won several awards, including a Hugo Award for Best Novel for his novel "The Man in the High Castle" (1962). His works have become part of popular culture, including the cult film "Blade Runner" (1982), which is based on Dick’s novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" (1968).

A philosophical science fiction novel from Hugo AwardΓÇôwinning author Philip K. Dick, Radio Free Albemuth is a visionary alternate history of a dystopian United States, full of the conspiracy theories and religious themes that became the foundation for his celebrated VALIS trilogy.It is the late 1960s, and a paranoid incompetent has schemed his way into the White House and convulsed America into a vicious war against imaginary, internal enemies. Philip K. Dick, a struggling science fiction writer, is trying to keep from becoming one of that war''s casualties.Meanwhile, Dick''s best friend, record executive Nicholas Brady, is receiving transmissions from an extraterrestrial entity that may also happen to be God—an entity that apparently wants him to overthrow the president. Suspenseful and darkly hilarious, Radio Free Albemuth cements Dick as the twentieth century''s greatest prankster-prophet. "An intense, often very moving book...touching on all the major Philip K. Dick themes."—Philadelphia Inquirer

In the final act of Philip K. Dick's VALIS trilogy, we finally reach the conclusion--of a sort--to his search for the identity and nature of God. The Transmigration of Timothy Archer primarily concerns the eponymous priest and his daughter-in-law, Angel Archer, as they attempt to find their place in the world while dealing with what may or may not be divine possession.After Episcopalian Bishop Timothy Archer finds ancient scrolls bearing the words of Jesus from two centuries before his birth, he journeys to Israel in the hopes of finding more about Christ's true identity--and whether psychedelic mushrooms had anything to do with it. Haunted by the suicides of his son and mistress, Archer cannot prevent himself from falling deeper into the rabbit hole.This quiet, introspective book is one of Dick's most philosophical and literary, delving into the mysteries of religion and the mysteries of faith itself. As one of Dick's final works, it also provides unique insight into the mind of a genius, whose work was still in the process of maturing at the time of his death.

In The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dicks alternate history classic, the United States has lost World War II and subsequently been divided between the Germans in the east and the Japanese in the west.In this world, we meet characters like Frank Frink, a dealer of counterfeit Americana who is himself hiding his Jewish ancestry; Nobusuke Tagomi, the Japanese trade minister in San Francisco, unsure of his standing within the beauracracy and of Japans with Germany; and Juliana Frink, Franks ex-wife, who may be more important than she realizes. These seemingly disparate characters gradually realize their connections to one anotherother just as they realize that something is not quite right about their world. And it seems as though the answers might lie with Hawthorne Abendsen, a mysterious and reclusive author whose best-selling novel describes a world in which the U.S. won the war . . .The Man in the High Castle is Dick at his best, giving readers a harrowing vision of the world that almost was.

Featuring virtual reality, parallel worlds, and interstellar travel, The Divine Invasion is the second novel in the VALIS trilogy by Philip K. Dick, the Hugo Award-winning author of The Man in the High Castle and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep??the basis for the film Blade Runner.God is not dead, he has merely been exiled to an extraterrestrial planet. It is on this planet that Yah?as this possible God is known?meets Herb Asher and convinces him to help Yah return to Earth, which is itself under the control of the demonic Belial. To do this, Asher must shepherd a woman pregnant with Yah past the tight security of Earth.Part science fiction adventure, part religious inquiry, The Divine Invasion questions just how much anyone really knows?or really can know?about the nature of reality and God.

Bob Arctor is a junkie and a drug-dealer, both using and selling the mind-altering Substance D. Fred is a law enforcement agent, tasked with bringing Bob down. It sounds like a standard case. The only problem is that Bob and Fred are the same person. In order to infiltrate the drug ring he hopes to bring down, Fred has had to use Substance D, but Substance D, or "Slow Death," causes the consciousness to split in two, creating distinct personalities that are entirely unaware of the other's existence. Now, Bob must keep from being caught by Fred, while Fred must keep his suspicious superiors at bay. In this semi-autobiographical novel, Dick looks back on his own drug abuse and his own friends who he lost to drugs. By turns thrilling, mind-bending, laught-out-loud funny, and heart-wrenchingly sad, A Scanner Darkly is an award-winning book made into a cult film and may just be Dick's best novel.

Clans of the Alphane Moon deals with one of Philip K. Dicks favorite themes: mental illness and what that actually means. The Alphane moon may be full of people with clinical disorders, but are the "normal" people who are supposed to cure them really any saner?

From the legendary author Philip K. Dick, The Hanging Stranger is a chilling tale of an alien invasion that will leave you wrapped in suspense. Step back into the Golden Age of science fiction with this masterful work by the prolific short story author behind blockbuster films such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report. In this gripping short story, meet Ed Loyce, a store owner with a disturbing discovery: a stranger hanging from a lamppost. To his utter horror, the townspeople appear unbothered by the gruesome sight. As Ed investigates further, he uncovers evidence that alien insects have infiltrated and taken control of his once-idyllic town. As the web of deception deepens, Ed struggles to expose the real threat lurking behind every corner. With the danger increasing, he finds himself face-to-face with the authorities - but can they, too, be trusted? The Hanging Stranger is an irresistible descent into the heart-pounding world of alien invasion. With its unique twists and shocking conclusion, this suspense-filled classic will have you questioning who to trust and what's really lurking in the shadows. Prepare for a masterful study in paranoia and creepy suspense that sci-fi enthusiasts and fans of speculative fiction won't want to miss.

In a world torn apart by endless warfare between the Soviet Union and the United Nations, humanity struggles to survive amidst the desolation of a nuclear wasteland. Philip K. Dick's captivating short story, Second Variety, delves deep into the consequences of war and the relentless pursuit of power. Originally published in 1953, this chilling science fiction masterpiece has inspired blockbuster films like Screamers and its sequel Screamers: The Hunting. From the author that brought you timeless cinematic classics such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report, comes an unforgettable adventure that will leave you questioning the boundaries of trust and the cost of destruction. As Russia pushes the United States to the brink, the UN devises a last-ditch effort to win the war-- an arsenal of deadly, self-replicating assassin machines known as "claws". Equipped with the ability to evolve and the sole objective to exterminate all living organisms, the claws are programmed to recognize and spare those who wear designated badges. But when the machines begin to uncover unexpected ways to outsmart their creators, the very existence of life on Earth is threatened. Second Variety presents a gripping and thought-provoking story that challenges the nature of humanity and the ramifications of technology gone awry. With unforgettable characters, nail-biting suspense, and an unsettling take on a dystopian future, this is one book you won't be able to put down.

Enter the fascinating and uncanny world of Philip K. Dick with Upon the Dull Earth, a gripping and mind-bending science fiction and fantasy short story drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." Venture into the unknown as you follow Silvia, who possesses an extraordinary ability to summon mysterious and powerful angel-like creatures. Desperate to confirm their true nature and their relation to her destiny, Silvia's journey challenges our notions of reality and our understanding of ancestral ties. As Silvia's strange talents disturb her family and her boyfriend, Rick, events quickly spiral out of control, leading to heart-wrenching consequences. Driven by loss and longing, Rick's obsessive quest to bring Silvia back from a higher realm scatters chaos, confusion, and transformation in his wake. Can they navigate the shifting landscape of this higher reality, or will their desires ultimately bring about the world's annihilation? From the visionary mind behind blockbuster films such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report, Upon the Dull Earth showcases Dick's favorite themes, while unraveling a unique and terrifying twist that will leave you questioning the very essence of reality. Don't miss this haunting classic that will linger with you long after the final page.

From the mind of celebrated science fiction master, Philip K. Dick, comes an exhilarating journey into a war-torn alien world: Tony and the Beetles. Venture into a universe where young Tony, the son of a human occupier, discovers the chilling truth about his extraterrestrial neighbors, the Pas-udenti. As the war takes an unexpected turn, Tony finds himself caught between two worlds, attempting to navigate his daily life and maintain friendships with creatures once considered enemies. But as tensions rise and everything crumbles around him, shocking revelations force Tony to question everything he once knew. Will Tony choose his humanity, or will he embrace the strange world that has become his home? Dive into this thrilling short story that is not only a gripping exploration of loyalty and identity but also a masterful study in paranoia and suspense. Tony and the Beetles is a testament to Philip K. Dick's unparalleled prowess in the world of speculative fiction, packed with the mind-bending concepts and atmospheric storytelling that made his work a staple in the sci-fi canon.

Dive into a thrilling adventure through space and time with The Variable Man, a captivating tale of humanity's struggle against a powerful and corrupt alien empire. From the legendary author, Philip K. Dick, who brought you unforgettable stories that inspired cinematic masterpieces like Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report, comes a timeless and extraordinary journey that explores the true potential of the human spirit. Set in a future where mankind has reached the stars but remains confined by the Centauran Empire, an ancient regime that stifles their expansion, The Variable Man follows the story of Thomas Cole-- a repairman from 1913, thrown into an unimaginable future by a freak accident. Discover how this "unknown variable" confounds futuristic calculative machines and turns the tide in an interstellar cold war. The human race faces insurmountable odds as they attempt to harness the power of Icarus, a faster-than-light (FTL) device that could either become their ultimate weapon or lead to their downfall. Unravel the mystery behind Cole's uncanny ability to sense and repair machines, and join him as he races against time to save humanity. A breathtaking fusion of science fiction, space travel, and military intrigue, The Variable Man is an electrifying short story that will leave you questioning the limits of technology and the indomitable resilience of mankind. Immerse yourself in a world filled with tension, twists, and turns. Can Cole overcome the challenges of his extraordinary situation and alter the course of history?

Discover a hidden gem from the mind of master storyteller Philip K. Dick, the prolific author behind blockbuster films like Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report. The Turning Wheel is an enthralling post-apocalyptic sci-fi short story that masterfully blends speculative fiction, dark humor, and psychological depth in a resoundingly unique narrative. In a world devastated by apocalyptic forces, society is rebuilt and governed by a karmic reincarnation-based hierarchy. Enter an alternate future where Caucasians are at the bottom, and Asians and Indians reign supreme under the rule of the enigmatic god-messiah, Bard "Elron Hu." Here, Dick presents a biting satire on L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics, as "becoming clear" represents an essential step in this new-age spiritual quest. As the turning wheel of karma continues to spin, a diverse cast of characters-- a tormented priest, a rebellious Cauc, an opportunistic Indian official, and others-- navigates the complexities and chaos of a world founded on spiritual dogma. Driven by their desires, convictions, and instincts, they must explore the true nature of power, faith, and humanity. Will they break free from the constraints that bind them, or will the merciless turning wheel crush their dreams and aspirations? Unravel the mysteries in this gripping tale, and immerse yourself in the provocative and intentionally chaotic brilliance of Philip K. Dick's imagination.

From the visionary mind of Philip K. Dick, author of groundbreaking sci-fi classics that inspired blockbuster films like Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report, comes a mind-bending tale of time travel and personal destiny. The Skull transports you to a future where the world is locked in a struggle between progress and dogma, where one man's life-altering decision will affect history and the fate of humanity. Meet Conger, a prisoner granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for freedom--if he can complete an impossible mission to assassinate a man who died 200 years ago. As he travels back in time to the turbulent 1960s, Conger must navigate an era fraught with distrust and political agendas while seeking out the elusive founder of the First Church, a man whose fateful speech launched a cult that would challenge scientific progress. Armed with the skull of his target and the knowledge that his own life hangs in the balance, Conger becomes ensnared in a web of suspicion and intrigue that threatens not only the mission, but his own identity. As the tension mounts and the clock ticks down, he uncovers a stunning revelation that forces him to question everything he believed about himself and the world. In The Skull, Philip K. Dick masterfully combines elements of science fiction, time travel, and humanity's search for meaning in a thrilling narrative that will keep you guessing until the very last page. With its unique premise and timeless themes, this extraordinary short story is sure to captivate fans of the genre and new readers alike.

From the legendary author of Blade Runner and Minority Report, Philip K. Dick presents The Last of the Masters-- an unrivalled science fiction classic that has gained prominence for its thought-provoking exploration of anarchism, statism, and the role of technology in a post-apocalyptic world. In the aftermath of a global anarchist revolution that brought down the world's governments, humanity finds itself lost in a wasteland of stagnation. Knowledge and industry have crumbled, leaving behind a society frozen in time. However, whispers of a surviving state concealed from the watchful eyes of the Anarchist League reach the ears of three intrepid agents, and the long-forgotten engines of war threaten to reignite. As the agents infiltrate this final stronghold of order, their fates become entwined in a precarious balance of power between those who seek freedom and the last custodians of the old world-- including the enigmatic government robot at its center. Through gripping dialogue and action-packed tension, Philip K. Dick masterfully transports readers into a heart-pounding race against time where the future of humanity hangs in the balance. Dive into this thrilling short story that sets itself apart in the realm of post-apocalyptic fiction, not only as a captivating tale of survival, but as a striking examination of the political and ethical implications of anarchism and the profound consequences of our technological creations.