Palimpsests by Carter Scholz

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The philosopher's stone
Colin Wilson
1969 · 315 pages · 2 reviews
Others: Mixed
Wilson probably has earned a reputation more as a scholar & biographer than as a novelist; but this novel, originally published in 1969, proves that he possesses significant skills in the area of fiction as well. He weaves a great deal of speculation into the meaning of existence & the future of the species into the plot; so much so that the book at times seems as much a work of philosophy as of fiction. The story centers on the experiences of Howard Lester, an enterprising young intellectual whose work with fellow researcher Henry Littleway leads to the discovery that implanting a minute bit of a metallic alloy into the prefrontal cortex can introduce a higher state of conciousness. (As in the case with Carlos Castaneda in his thematically-similar Don Juan chronicles, the researchers later discover that the artificial catalyst is unnecessary, but rather a convenient means to overcome years of conditioning). Lester & Littleway perform the operation upon themselves & proceed to refine their new skills until they are able to employ a sort of time vision that allows them to tap into racial memories. With this knowledge comes the realization that there are shadowy periods in our species' past that have been kept hidden from us by more powerful beings. Lester relates his moment of insight: "I knew with certainty that there is something in the world's prehistory that cannot be found in any of the books on the past. & it was obscurely connected with [a] sense of evil..." In the course of discovering how the Earth & humankind truly evolved, this tale touches upon everything from Mayan civilization to Abraham Maslow to H.P. Lovecraft's elder Gods.--From Independent Publisher (edited)
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Hominids
Robert J. Sawyer
2002 · 446 pages · 2 reviews
Others: Mixed
From back cover Tor paperback February 2003: Hominids examines two unique species of people. We are one of those species; the other is the Neanderthals of a parallel world where they became the dominant intelligence. The Neanderthal civilization has reached heights of culture and science comparable to our own, but with radically different history, society and philosophy. Ponter Boddit, a Neanderthal physicist, accidentally pierces the barrier between worlds and is transferred to our universe. Almost immediately recognized as a Neanderthal, but only much later as a scientist, he is quarantined and studied, alone and bewildered, a stranger in a strange land. But Ponter is also befriended -- by a doctor and a physicist who share his questing intelligence, and especially by Canadian geneticist Mary Vaughan, a woman with whom he develops a special rapport. Ponter's partner, Adikor Huld, finds himself with a messy lab, a missing body, suspicious people all around and an explosive murder trial. How can he possibly prove his innocence when he has no idea what actually happened to Ponter?
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A reader's guide to science fiction
Baird Searles
1979 · 256 pages · 1 review
Others: Mixed
From A to Z (Akers and Asimov to Zebrowski and Zelazny), from the first astounding magazine to DUNE, A READER"S GUIDE TO SCIENCE FICTION is an invaluable reference work, chronicling where science fiction has been, and where you-the reader-can travel next in the most exciting literature of the cosmos.
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Who?
Algis Budrys
1958 · 189 pages · 1 review
Others: Positive
Martino was a very important scientist, working on something called the K-88. But the K-88 exploded in his face, and he was dragged across the Soviet border. There he stayed for months. When they finally gave him back, the Soviets had given him a metal arm...and an expressionless metal skull. So how could Allied Security be sure he actually was Martino ?
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Northwest Smith
C. L. Moore
1982 · 387 pages · 2 reviews
Others: Leaning positive
His eyes flash like steel in his weathered face. His worn spacer's leathers tell a tale of challenge met, hardship endured. Engraved on his memory are the secrets of a hundred ancient alien races. Here is the mystery and glory of the universe. Here is a legend come to life. Here is Northwest Smith. Contents: Shambleau. Black Thirst. The Tree of Life. Scarlet Dream. Dust of the Gods. Lost Paradise. Julhi. The Cold Gray God. Yvala. Song in a Minor Key.
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Babel-17
Samuel R. Delany
1966 · 192 pages · 6 reviews
Others: Mostly positive
During an interstellar war one side develops a language, Babel-17, that can be used as a weapon. Learning it turns one into an unwilling traitor as it alters perception and thought. This is discovered by the starship captain Rydra Wong. She is recruited to discover how the enemy are infiltrating and sabotaging strategic sites.
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