The Gods Themselves. By Isaac Asimov. First Edition, First Printing. Doubleday. New York, 1972.

Isaac Asimov is one of the greatest science fiction authors of all time. He is often said to be one of the “Big Three” alongside Robert Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. Asimov’s greatest contributions include the Foundation series, I, Robot, and his short stories “The Last Question” and “Nightfall”. He was also a scientist and biochemistry professor. His academic training no doubt influenced his narrative style where even in the most fantastical moments, a thread of scientific possibility held his stories together. For this quality, many readers consider him a philosopher of science as much as a fiction writer. In The Gods Themselves, Asimov provides what is considered his greatest standalone novel. It is a three-part narrative dealing with quasars, parallel universes, supernovas, and aliens. It is a truly rare creation for Asimov, proving he could contain his galactic imagination into one volume. The Gods Themselves won the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award. It remains one of Asimov’s most celebrated texts.

This first edition, first printing is in very good condition. In the original quarter cloth, near-fine with only bumping to spine ends. Text block near-fine, only very slightly cocked. In the original dust jacket, very good with some soiling to edges, creases, bumping, and chips.

A very good first edition of The Gods Themselves.