<p>A professional newspaperman, Clifford Donald Simak was a major figure both in and beyond the &lsquo;Golden Age&rsquo; of science fiction. &nbsp;Active for more than fifty years, he published some 140 short stories and (depending on how you count) at least 27 novels. &nbsp;The many Awards he received &ndash; three Hugos, a Nebula, a Jupiter, a Locus, an Analog, and an International Fantasy Award &ndash; to say nothing of many nominations, show that his contemporaries recognised his qualities. &nbsp;It is no surprise that the Science Fiction Writers of America elected him as their third SWFA Grand Master. &nbsp;This book considers what he achieved.<br />
CDS grew up in Grant County, Wisconsin, just south of where the Wisconsin flows into the Mississippi. &nbsp;Many of his tales reflect the &lsquo;Simak country&rsquo; of his youth, regularly drawing on the characteristics of the residents of that area. &nbsp;They are high value entertainment. &nbsp;Some are extremely amusing. &nbsp;Others lead you on to explore many ideas: what does it mean to be sentient, to be human, how should/can we cope with technology, has life a purpose, and if so what, and, what about aliens?</p>