In this provocative, entertaining collection of nine reprints, Williams (Implied Spaces
) brings together tales of the College of Mystery as well as other explorations of the gray region where psyche and technology meet. Standouts include the Nebula-winning “Daddy's World,” in which a young boy finds himself trapped in a nightmare not of his making; “The Last Ride of German Freddie,” an alternate history in which Friedrich Nietzsche meets Wyatt Earp; “Incarnation Day,” wherein humanity raises its children as computer programs; and the title story, another Nebula winner, about a utopian society's birth and psychological effects. Coupled with extensive notes from the author, these stories invite readers to share and enjoy Williams's extensive knowledge of history, psychology, and culture. (May)