Olaf Stapledon 3x Lot Last and First Men, Last Men in London Star Maker Odd John Good Used Condition See Pics Stapledon's fiction often presents the strivings of some intelligence that is beaten down by an indifferent universe and its inhabitants who, through no fault of their own, fail to comprehend its lofty yearnings. It is filled with protagonists who are tormented by the conflict between their "higher" and "lower" impulses. Stapledon's writings directly influencedArthur C. Clarke,Brian Aldiss,Stanisaw Lem,Bertrand Russell,John Gloag,Naomi Mitchison,C. S. Lewis,Vernor Vinge,John Maynard Smithand indirectly influenced many others, contributing many ideas to the world of science fiction. The "supermind" composed of many individual consciousnesses forms a recurring theme in his work.Star Makercontains the first known description of what are now calledDyson spheres.Freeman Dysoncredits the novel with giving him the idea, even stating in an interview that "Stapledon sphere" would be a more appropriate name.Last and First Menfeatures early descriptions ofgenetic engineeringandterraforming. Last and First Men, a "future history" of 18 successive species of humanity, andStar Maker, an outline history of the Universe, were highly acclaimed by figures as diverse asJorge Luis Borges,J. B. Priestley,Bertrand Russell,Algernon Blackwood,Hugh Walpole,Arnold Bennett,Virginia Woolf.