On his web site, writer-scientist David Brin notes of the so-rapidly (some would argue too rapidly) changing world in which we live, "The pace of quickening events may seem unnerving, yet humans evolved an amazing capacity to deal with change and make the best of things. We're an adaptable species." Certainly, David's writing displays an "amazing capacity" to look into the past, present, and future of civilized humankind and see the foundation, the emerging us, and where we might be tomorrow and the millennium after.
Tomorrow Happens is an insightful, quicksilver romp through David's own mind. In the 20 essays, short stories, and little wonders in this book, David will take you from the worlds of Galileo Galilei and Jules Verne, through thoughtful explorations of Orwell and Tolkien, and on into tomorrows that just may happen.
"...David Brin gives joy and imparts a sense of wonder; but he also thinks about the near world." —The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
"A delightful, often very witty story, with the underlying thoughtfulness we expect from David Brin." —Poul Anderson, about The Practice Effect
"Brin's prose ranges from regular to high octane...his characters have vivid intellectual lives." —Entertainment Weekly, about Earth
"Brin is a scientist who knows how to tell a story. That's a rare combination." —Jerry Pournelle, about The River of Time
Table of Contents
- Introduction by Vernor Vinge
- Aficionado (fiction)
- Probing the Near Future (essay)
- Stones of Significance (fiction)
- Go Ahead, Stand on My Shoulders! (essay)
- Reality Check (fiction)
- The Future Keeps Surprising Us (essay)
- Paris Conquers All (with Gregory Benford) (fiction)
- The Self-Preventing Prophecy (essay)
- Fortitude (fiction)
- Do We Really Want Immortality? (essay)
- The Diplomacy Guild (fiction)
- Goodbye, Mir! (Sniff!) (essay)
- The Open-Ended Science Fiction Story (essay + ficton)
- News from 2025 (fiction)
- Seeking a New Fulcrum (essay)
- A Professor at Harvard (fiction)
- The Robots and Foundation Universe (essay)
- An Ever-Reddening Glow (fiction)
- We Hobbits Are a Merry Folk (essay)
- The Other Side of the Hill (fiction)
David Brin
David Brin is the Hugo and Nebula award-winning author of 18 novels and collections, including Sundiver, Startide Rising, Earth, Glory Season, and his most recent novel, The Kiln People. His 1998 non-fiction book, The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Freedom and Privacy?, garnered the American Library Association's Obeler Freedom of Speech Award and the McGannon Communication Policy Research Award. He holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics, and has been a research consultant to NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He lives in southern California with his wife and three children.
Jim Burns
Jim Burns has produced hundreds of science fiction and fantasy book jacket designs. He worked briefly in Hollywood (including with Ridley Scott on Blade Runner). His books include two major collections of his work, Lightship (1985) and Transluminal (1999), and the large-format illustrated novella Planet Story (with Harry Harrison, 1979). His honors include two Hugos and 12 BSFA awards. Jim lives in Bradford-on-Avon, England with his wife of 29 years, Sue. He has three daughters (Elinor, Megan, and Gwendolen), and a son (Joseph).
Printing History
Hardcover state ISBN 1-886778-43-4, $25. out of print!
Boxed state ISBN 1-886778-44-2, $40. out of print!
8.5"x5.5", 224 pp, February 2003
This is a limited hardcover edition of 10 lettered boxed and signed copies (presentation copies — not for sale), 190 numbered boxed and signed copies, and 1300 numbered trade copies. It will not be reprinted in hardcover.