The Great Illusion

By Manly Bannister and Karl Wurf

On the mysterious world of Hume, ethnologist Cliff Rowley senses something is amiss. The natives' idyllic life seems staged, as if to deceive him and his fellow researchers. Strange events, like a woman's death and miraculous return, only deepen the puzzle. As Rowley digs for the truth behind the illusion, a shocking revelation awaits. To uncover Hume's secrets, he must challenge everything he believes about the nature of the planet and its inhabitants. But will his discoveries come too late, before the expedition departs forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alien Ebooks
• Release date: May 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9781667619842

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Table of Contents

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION, by Karl Wurf

THE GREAT ILLUSION, by Manly Bannister

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Originally published in Super-Science Fiction, February 1957.

Published by Wildside Press.

wildsidepress.com

INTRODUCTION,

by Karl Wurf

Manly Banister (1914-1986) was an American author, editor, and artist in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He contributed to the field primarily in 1940s and 1950s. Banister was not only a writer but also an active participant in the science fiction fan community.

In addition to short stories, he published one novel, an exciting future war story called Conquest of Earth. For many years, the 1964 paperback was very common on the used book scene.

Aside from his writing, Banister was also known for his skills in bookbinding and printing. He ran a small publishing company called Nepenthe Press and published limited edition books, including some of his own works and those of other authors in the genre. Nepenthe Press was known for its high-quality, hand-crafted books, which reflected Banister’s skills and passion for bookbinding and printing. This endeavor allowed him to express his creativity and support the science fiction community by bringing works into permanent form for readers, much like Arkham House, Fantasy Press, and others specialty science fiction and fantasy presses were doing at the time. His contributions to the do-it-yourself aspect of publishing and his involvement in the fan community are well-remembered parts of his legacy in the science fiction scene.

THE GREAT ILLUSION,

by Manly Bannister