Arkwright

Does the future of mankind lie in the stars? Does it belong on long interstellar voyages across the vastness of space? One science fiction author, Nathan Arkwright, believes it does and sets up a foundation, the Arkwright Foundation, to invest in technology that will further the field of interstellar travel and to launch the first interstellar space vehicle. What starts off as a chance meeting at one of the first science fiction conventions at the World’s Fair in New York will develop into a lifelong friendship amongst scientists and authors. All with a goal of getting mankind to the stars and to make sure that we survive as a species, even if we destroy our own planet.

Allen Steele is one of today’s modern masters of hard science fiction and it is truly at work here. Though each section is really a novella, and loosely held together by an overall plot. A couple of sections were printed previously in Asimov’s. And each section is its own self containing story. But Mr. Steele helps us reach towards to stars.