This is one of my favorite books. Linebarger's informed view and exposure to the breadth of our world's cultures provide a singular viewing. His rich and sometimes exotic view of what the human experience might become is intriguing and thought provoking. Amazing technologies are only a background for the characters' experiences and journeys, learning about themselves and the many varieties of humans that people this universe. C'Mell, D'Joan, and the Lady Pank Ashash, and others will be with you for years to come.

The great thing about great classic sci-go is that the fact that it was written decades earlier, doesn't matter. The material makes "sense" and it doesn't really stretch the limits of believability. Cordwainer Smith is best of them. His stories span such a tremendously long span of time. I'm just sorry that I didn't discover him until recently. Trust me, he is a great writer of short stories which in my opinion is harder to write well than a novel or novella.

The universe created by Cordwainer Smith has always fascinated me. Some stories are better than others, of course, but any collection that includes THE DEAD LADY OF CLOWNTOWN and THE GAME OF RATS AND DRAGONS soars to the top.

His kind we shall never see again...A boundless imagination coupled with an occasionally clumsy writing style...a MUST read for anyone tired of cliched sci-fi.

Dr. Anthony Linebarger, writing under the nom de plume of Cordwainer Smith, first entranced me with these stories when I was a teenager and found a paperback copy of this book in a doctor's waiting room. His characters--the heroic scanner Martel, the enchanting cat-girl C'Mell, the tragic dog-girl D'Joan, poor doomed Commander Suzdal and more--still live and breathe in my mind and heart, four decades later.

Smith's writing style is as unique and distinctive as the universe he created, and the sprawling history of his galaxy-spanning future civilization, the Instrumentality of Mankind, unfolds before you in this collection as no other work of his allows for. It's more than worth your time and the small cost of a Kindle copy to experience it for yourself.

For those of you who have read Cordwainer Smith this is a trip down memory lane complete with additional personal biographical information. I was aware of some things but this book has much more detail about his life and times.

If you have never read any of Cordwainer Smith the kindle e-book is a low cost introduction to one of the most creative SF minds you will ever meet. He talks about very hard "realpolitik" choices in a brilliantly conceived future.

This is NOT a comprehensive collection (I don't think) but there are no average stories here.

Smith deserves to be better known IMO for this groundbreaking collection of stories. Some of these stories are sure to disturb some but left me to reflect on what humanity is.

short stories by one of the MASTERS of SF. very good.

The story is beautiful, I recommend reading this writer. As far as the plot and everything concerning the story, it's all beautiful.

However there is a consistant typo in the name of the title caracter. Her name is Lady Panc Ashash, not Pane Ashash. There may be more, spelling correction needs supervision, it's never 100% dependable

"Smith", not his real name, wrote some of the most imaginative stories you are ever likely to read. And human rights are always involved, especially with the animals elevated to near humans, but without any rights. Am amazing writer.

Arguably the most unique SF water ever. Now that’s a statement. If you know who he is you get it. If you don’t know who he is and you love SF, read him.

Little known today, Smith's stories create a world of imaginative wonder and unusual compassion.

Simply the best SF writer there is.