About the Author:

STANISLAW LEM is "a major figure who just happens to be a science fiction writer—Very likely, he is also the best-selling SF writer in the world" (Fantasy and Science Fiction]. For the past four decades he has been one of Europe's most prolific and esteemed writers, considered the single most important influence in putting science fiction into the mainstream of literature. Born in 1921 in Poland, where he lives now with his family, Lem was originally trained in medicine. He cofounded the Polish Astronautical Society and is a member of the Polish Cybernetic Association. His nearly thirty books, translated into as many languages, range from novels and thrillers to SF short stories, screenplays (SOLARIS is best known), parodies, philosophy and literary criticism. Of his SF novels translated into English, Avon has published THE CYBERIAD, THE FUTUROLOGICAL CONGRESS, THE INVESTIGATION, MEMOIRS FOUND IN A BATHTUB, MORTAL ENGINES, THE STAR DIARIES, and TALES OF PIRX THE PILOT.