Uplift Saga

In all the universe, no species reached for the stars without "uplift" guidance, except possibly humankind. Did some cryptic patron race begin the job long ago, then abandon us? Or did we leap all by ourselves? That question burns, yet a greater mystery looms ahead, in the furnace of a star. Under the caverns of Mercury, Expedition Sundiver prepares for the most momentous voyage of our history – into the boiling inferno of the sun, seeking our destiny in the cosmic order of life.This freshly revised re-issue includes a substantial author's introduction about the personal and scientific journeys leading to his now-classic first novel.Sundiver is the first book in David Brin's magnificent Uplift series, among the most thrilling and extraordinary science fiction ever written, comprising one of the most beloved sagas of all time. David Brin's other novels in the Uplift Series include: Startide Rising, The Uplift War, Brightness Reef, Infinity's Shore, and Heaven's Reach.

A starship crew of humans and dolphins skirts the brink of interstellar war in this epic adventure by the New York Times—bestselling author of The Postman. We are not alone. Humanity's explorations have revealed galaxies inhabited by millions of intelligent species interacting under ancient traditions. Foremost among said traditions is uplift, which requires all spacefaring races to welcome newcomers into Galactic culture by breeding and genetically guiding each client species to full sapience-but at a price. Patron races demand centuries of indentured servitude from each uplifted client. But is upstart humanity a patron or a client? The Earthship Streaker-crewed by humans and uplifted dolphins and chimpanzees-discovers a derelict armada, perhaps left by the very first patrons, the fabled Progenitors. Suddenly the Five Galaxies teeter on the brink of all-out war as fanatics hunt Streaker for the secret. With a damaged ship and hostile aliens in pursuit, the crew must band together if they hope to survive ...

Hostile aliens take an Earth colony hostage in this New York Times–bestselling hard science fiction adventure by the author of Startide Rising. Although they were uplifted and given full sapience, the Bururalli clearly weren't ready to run a planet, almost wrecking Garth. As a "salvage world," it was given to despised Earthlings, assigned to reclaim it from the brink. Many senior Galactics-leaders of the Five Galaxies-hoped humanity would fail. But now Garth is peacefully surging back, tended by human and neo-chimpanzee colonists. Meanwhile, enemies desperately seek some way to coerce Earthclan, looking for a possible answer to the secret of the Progenitors. One of them-the Gubru avian race-prepares to invade and hold hostage defenseless Garth. With Earth itself under attack by other militant forces, no relief is coming for the embattled colonists. If they are to survive, they have no choice but to band together, improvise, and learn the tactics of guerilla warfare.

Strange visitors throw a planet of refugees into chaos in this science fiction adventure by the author of New York Times bestseller The Uplift War. Book One in the Uplift Storm Trilogy Centuries ago, the Buyur race abandoned Jijo. Now off-limits to settlers, it's warded by guardian machines who will protect the planet until the Institutes of the Five Galaxies declare Jijo ready-in another million years-for new civilization. But mere laws and guardians can't keep out the desperate. Clandestine bands of "sooners" have sneaked down to the lonely planet. Six intelligent races-all refugees-have bickered ... then built a new society in the wilds of Jijo, hidden beneath forest canopies. Together they live in harmony-and in fear of the day their illegal colony will be discovered and judgment from the Five Galaxies will rain down upon them. One day a strange starship finally does appear on Jijo. But its owners do not bring law or judgment. Only dire secrets. And they'll do whatever it takes to keep them ...

It's illegal to occupy the planet Jijo, but six castaway races have managed to coexist there for some time. They've successfully hidden from watchful law enforcers of the Five Galaxies, until now... After making an amazing discovery far away-a derelict armada whose mere existence triggered interstellar war-the Terran exploration vessel Streaker and its crew of humans and dolphins arrive at Jijo in search of sanctuary from the Galactic forces out to destroy them. But, they were followed. As behemoth Galactic starships descend upon Jijo, heroic, and terrifying, choices must be made. Together, human and alien settlers must choose whether to fight the invaders or join them. The crew of the Streaker, meanwhile, discovers something that just might save Jijo and its inhabitants...or destroy every last one of them.

Prepare for a harrowing ride through the universe by the New York Times–bestselling author of Startide Rising and The Postman. Book Three in the Uplift Storm Trilogy The peaceful existence of six outcast races on Jijo has ended. Ancient enemies, the Jophur, have discovered them, preparing to subject the refugees to their dark, perverted plans. The Jijoans' only hope is the same ship that accidently led their foes to the planet. The Earthship Streaker, with its crew of uplifted dolphins and a human commander, must somehow lure the Jophur into a chase through space . . . into the unknown. And then into the weird. More than just the fate of Jijo-or that of distant Earth, also suffering a deadly siege-hangs in the balance. Some believe a terrifying prophecy is about to come true, one that involves Streaker's trove of artifacts coveted by factions throughout all Five Galaxies. As countless white dwarf stars verge on unexpected explosion, all sentient life in the universe appears to be at risk unless someone can save them.

The complete second trilogy of the Uplift Saga, featuring a planet of refugees, a fugitive Earthling spaceship, and her dolphin/human crew. Brightness Reef Six outcast races hunker down on the off-limits planet Jijo when a mysterious starship lands. However, it doesn't bring the "law" they feared, but something worse-a dark secret the invaders will do anything to keep . . . "A timely, science fictional contemplation of the refugee experience."-Santa Fe Reporter Infinity's Shore Earthship Streaker,with its dolphin and human crew, has been on the run for three years, after discovering a derelict armada whose mere existence seems to drive the Five Galaxies mad. With Earth under siege and nowhere to turn, Streaker has come to far-off, isolated Jijo in search of sanctuary amid its population of secret refugees. Unfortunately, they've been followed . . . Heaven's Reach With the arrival of deadly enemies, the peaceful isolation of Jijo's six exile races has ended. While they join forces to fight invaders, the Earthship Streaker must lure other foes into weird layers of the unknown. Meanwhile, a dire prophecy may put the entire universe at risk . . . Praise for the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Uplift Saga "An extraordinary achievement." -Poul Anderson, award-winning author of Tau Zero,on Startide Rising "An exhilarating read that encompasses everything from breathless action to finely drawn moments of quiet intimacy." -Locus on The Uplift War "Tremendously inventive, ambitious work." -Kirkus Reviews on Brightness Reef "Well paced, immensely complex, highly literate . . . Superior SF." -Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Infinity's Shore