We present to your attention the author's collection of short stories published from 1952 to 1979 – the most complete collection of short prose by the author. A collection of brilliant ideas, many of which were developed in his novels. The rarest collection from one of the most outstanding science fiction writers in the history of literature – for the first time under one cover. The stories are funny and disturbing, philosophical and adventurous, poetic and cynical, illustrating the most diverse trends of science fiction.Over and over again, putting his thought into simple or very intricate plots, Frank Herbert asks the reader the "damned" and immortal questions: what is a person? What is intelligence, and is intelligence alone sufficient to achieve understanding with other forms of life? Where is the line of responsibility of a scientist for his invention? And what will save this strange, cruel world in the end: humanity, beauty, conscience — or just love?Don't wait – Frank Herbert won't offer you ready-made answers. You will have to find them yourself.