Ring around the sun;: A story of tomorrow

Jay Vickers was an ordinary man, or so he thought. All he wanted was to be left in peace to finish his next book. However, strange things started happening- from his discovery of a mouse that was not a mouse, to the visit of an old neighbor that was not a man. Or at least he was not an ordinary man. For as it turned out, neither was Jay Vickers. This is the story of human mutation- the next step in the evolution of the species. What if mutants walked among us already? What if they were organized? What if they had unbelievable powers, such as the ability to cross between alternate worlds or dimensions at will, or to intuitively reach the absolutely correct answer by intuition or "hunch", or to telepathically reach out to the stars? Such supermen would automatically try to conquer lesser men, would they not? Or would they do everything in their power to free the rest of humanity from slavery and suffering? Just what would the political and corporate powers- that- be do to keep their power and their slaves? How would mutants undermine the power of these bosses to set mankind free? This is a story of unlimited freedom, of worlds without end, ready for the taking. It is also the story of powerful, benevolent beings that exist only to help those who need that help. Simak sets this optimism off against the far-flung future- of 1987. This is a future of a lop-sided mechanical culture of technology that could provide creature comfort for a few, but not human justice or security for the many. It is a future of hate, and war, and worry. Nothing like the way the world really turned out.... Years ago when I first read this novel the uncanny "coincidences" with my own life gave me chills. But then, there couldn't really be an underground of mutants working to free humanity... could there?

Jay Vickers was an ordinary man, or so he thought. All he wanted was to be left in peace to finish his next book. However, strange things started happening- from his discovery of a mouse that was not a mouse, to the visit of an old neighbor that was not a man. Or at least he was not an ordinary man. For as it turned out, neither was Jay Vickers.This is the story of human mutation- the next step in the evolution of the species. What if mutants walked among us already? What if they were organized? What if they had unbelievable powers, such as the ability to cross between alternate worlds or dimensions at will, or to intuitively reach the absolutely correct answer by intuition or "hunch", or to telepathically reach out to the stars? Such supermen would automatically try to conquer lesser men, would they not? Or would they do everything in their power to free the rest of humanity from slavery and suffering? Just what would the political and corporate powers- that- be do to keep their power and their slaves? How would mutants undermine the power of these bosses to set mankind free?This is a story of unlimited freedom, of worlds without end, ready for the taking. It is also the story of powerful, benevolent beings that exist only to help those who need that help. Simak sets this optimism off against the far-flung future- of 1987. This is a future of a lop-sided mechanical culture of technology that could provide creature comfort for a few, but not human justice or security for the many. It is a future of hate, and war, and worry. Nothing like the way the world really turned out....Years ago when I first read this novel the uncanny "coincidences" with my own life gave me chills.But then, there couldn't really be an underground of mutants working to free humanity... could there?

I read this Simak offering so many years ago that I honestly can't recall how long it's been. All I know is that I really NEED to read it again. Simak was one of my all-time favorite SF writers. It helped in no small way that he lived and worked in my hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and that his fictional settings were so familiar to me because he wrote of places I could see just down the road. His gentleness, good humor and his graceful way of writing only endeared him to me more. Please, Mr. Publisher, see your way clear to reissuing this grand old piece of fine science fiction!

Once again Clifford D. Simak shows us the depth of his imagination. Drawing you in to a very familiar world, with superbly crafted charters and Simak's cosy style. Then when he has you where he wants, you suddenly, along with his charters, realize that things are not as they seem. Then you get to see why Simak is one of the most unique and imaginative authors ever. He is able to open the limits of human possibility in ways that few others explore. This story is the story of one very ordinary man and his role in events that change the world. This is a common Simak theme. Simak's heroes are heroes in the way that any of us could be heroes in the right circumstances, not supermen. Like many Simak books this will leave you thinking and enriched.

This is the first Simak book that I've read, and I loved it! It's about a future where new everlasting products are dominating the world economy, and shutting down nearly all business. Jay Vickers is just beginning to realize the consequences of these new products when he sees a way to get out of the economic collapse. Like many of my favorite books, this one starts out great and you think you understand the plot completely. Then, all of a sudden, WHAM! The scope of the book explodes into something huge! As cool as that was, the characterization of Vickers and the other characters was the best part of the book. Read this book, you won't regret it!