{"product_id":"cities-in-flight-james-blish-9780575094178","title":"Cities in Flight | James Blish","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family: inherit; color: #333; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: 500; margin-bottom: 20px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003e🚀 THE COMPLETE MILLENNIA-SPANNING EPIC\u003cbr\u003eA classic \"history of the future\" where whole cities roam the Galaxy looking for work and survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003eBook Overview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eIn James Blish's galaxy-spanning masterwork, two crucial discoveries—anti-gravity devices that enable whole cities to be lifted from the Earth to become giant spaceships, and longevity drugs that enable their inhabitants to live for thousands of years—lead to the establishment of a unique Galactic empire. Originally published in four volumes, \u003cem\u003eCities in Flight\u003c\/em\u003e brings together the famed “Okie novels” of science fiction into one definitive omnibus. Named after the migrant workers of America’s Dust Bowl, these novels convey a brilliant and bleak look at a world where nomadic cities barter their labor for a sustainable way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eThe epic narrative traces humanity across thousands of years. In the first novel, \u003cem\u003eThey Shall Have Stars\u003c\/em\u003e, mankind explores the solar system and unlocks the secrets of anti-gravity and immortality. Centuries later in \u003cem\u003eA Life for the Stars\u003c\/em\u003e, entire cities lift off the Earth to become galactic wanderers. By the events of \u003cem\u003eEarthman, Come Home\u003c\/em\u003e, marauding rogue cities pose a grave threat to all civilized worlds. Finally, in \u003cem\u003eThe Triumph of Time\u003c\/em\u003e, the cities journey back into space to confront a terrifying discovery that could destroy the entire universe. A serious and haunting vision of our world and its limits, this collection stands as a monumental milestone in the science fiction genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Blish\u003c\/strong\u003e (1921–1975) was a highly influential American science-fiction novelist whose most popular works include \u003cem\u003eJack of Eagles\u003c\/em\u003e and his \u003cem\u003eCities in Flight\u003c\/em\u003e series. He attended Rutgers University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in microbiology before serving as a medical technician in World War II. An early member of the Futurians—a legendary group of science fiction writers, fans, and editors—Blish won the prestigious Hugo Award in 1959 for his novel \u003cem\u003eA Case of Conscience\u003c\/em\u003e. He was also a prolific short fiction writer and a major contributor to the \u003cem\u003eStar Trek\u003c\/em\u003e saga, rewriting scripts into anthologies and producing original television stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eCore Audience \u0026amp; Intended Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassic Science Fiction Fans:\u003c\/strong\u003e Readers seeking foundational works of the golden age of sci-fi and early, influential space opera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorld-Building Enthusiasts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Those captivated by grand timelines and unique speculative concepts, such as anti-gravity \"spindizzies\" and spacebound metropolises.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhilosophical Fiction Readers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Anyone drawn to sweeping epics that explore historical cycles, human limits, and the metaphysical destiny of the universe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n  \n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eAccolades \u0026amp; Awards\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRetro Hugo Award Winner (2004):\u003c\/strong\u003e Best Novelette awarded to the core centerpiece story, \u003cem\u003eEarthman, Come Home\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e“A wholly new concept of the far future.” — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e“Compelling . . . If you haven’t read this yet, I envy you. Blish’s cities will fly through your dreams.” — \u003cstrong\u003eStephen Baxter\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\"\u003e“In a century that brimmed with human short-sightedness, James Blish was one of the very first genuine visionaries of a new millennium.” — \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Brin\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-top: 15px; font-size: 0.95em;\"\u003e\n      \u003ctbody\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left; width: 35%;\"\u003eFull Title\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eCities in Flight (SF Masterworks Series Omnibus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eAuthor(s)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eJames Blish\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePublisher \u0026amp; Imprint\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eGateway \/ Orion Publishing Co.\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eMarch 29, 2010\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eBinding Format\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eB-Format Paperback (PB)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePrint Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e640 Pages\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eLanguage\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eEnglish\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eISBN-13 \/ ISBN-10\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e9780575094178 \/ 0575094176\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003ePrimary Genre (BISAC)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eFICTION \/ Science Fiction \/ Space Opera\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eSub-Genres (BISAC)\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003eHard Science Fiction; Classic; High Tech\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eItem Condition\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003ePre-Owned \/ Paperback\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n          \u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; text-align: left;\"\u003eDimensions \u0026amp; Weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n          \u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"\u003e5.12 x 1.61 x 7.80 inches | 15.8 oz (0.99 lbs)\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\n  \u003csection style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.5em; border-bottom: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions About Cities in Flight\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eIs this a single continuous novel or an anthology omnibus?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eThis volume functions as a complete, definitive four-novel omnibus collection capturing James Blish's famed \"Okie novels.\" It brings together four originally separate texts into a single continuous future history timeline: \u003cem\u003eThey Shall Have Stars\u003c\/em\u003e (1956), \u003cem\u003eA Life for the Stars\u003c\/em\u003e (1962), \u003cem\u003eEarthman, Come Home\u003c\/em\u003e (1955), and \u003cem\u003eThe Triumph of Time\u003c\/em\u003e (1959).\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhat is the main narrative hook and speculative premise driving the universe?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eThe overarching plot is built upon two world-changing scientific discoveries: anti-gravity devices known as \"spindizzies\" and anti-aging longevity drugs. Because the spindizzy allows massive structural engineering blocks to safely lift off planet Earth, entire major cities (most notably New York City) transform into self-contained interstellar starships, leaving a declining Earth behind to roam the galaxy in search of manual corporate labor and survival resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eWhy does the narrative refer to these interstellar space travel sectors as \"Okie\" cities?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eJames Blish intentionally modeled his space colonies on the real-world historical context of 1930s Depression-era migrant agricultural workers from Oklahoma (nicknamed \"Okies\"). In his sci-fi epic, the wandering space cities drift from one inhabited alien solar system to another, bartering their technological, medical, or administrative expertise with local planets in exchange for fuel and food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eDid any individual components of this massive omnibus win major science fiction awards?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eYes. While James Blish is highly celebrated for his Hugo Award-winning novel \u003cem\u003eA Case of Conscience\u003c\/em\u003e, his work on this series also earned major genre accolades. The core centerpiece story, \"Earthman, Come Home,\" was officially awarded a Retro Hugo Award in 2004 for Best Novelette, solidifying its timeless status in classic science fiction literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #fcfcfc;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eCan a reader pick up this book as an introductory guide to classic science fiction?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eYes, it is an exceptional choice. The omnibus covers an epic, sweeping timeline spanning roughly two thousand years, tracing humanity completely from the near-future dawn of space exploration all the way to the ultimate metaphysical end of the universe itself. It stands as a vital cornerstone of hard sci-fi and classic space opera history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003c!-- Condition Disclaimer Card --\u003e\n    \u003cdetails style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #eaeaea; padding: 10px; border-radius: 4px; background-color: #f4f6f8; border-left: 3px solid #2c3e50;\"\u003e\n      \u003csummary style=\"font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; color: #2c3e50; outline: none;\"\u003eCondition Notice: Pre-Owned \/ Second-Hand Product\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll books, box sets, and multi-volume collections\u003c\/strong\u003e offered by Bust-Down Books are sold in pre-owned, used, and second-hand condition, unless explicitly designated as new in the individual product listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Details \u0026amp; Grading:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cul style=\"padding-left: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrevious Ownership:\u003c\/strong\u003e These items have been previously owned, handled, and read. As such, copies may exhibit typical signs of shelf wear, including but not limited to minor creasing, scuffing, edge wear, bent page corners, remainder marks, or spine softening.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarkings \u0026amp; Personalization:\u003c\/strong\u003e Items may occasionally contain inscriptions, library stamps, owner names, marginalia, or highlighting. Individual item descriptions reflect significant deviations from standard acceptable condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplemental Materials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Secondary and digital components—such as publisher access codes, CD-ROMs, bonus inserts, dust jackets (for select hardcovers), registration keys, or workbook activity pages—are not guaranteed to be included, active, or unredeemed unless specifically stated in the product description.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 6px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBook Sets \u0026amp; Bundles:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multi-volume sets, box sets, and book bundles may be composed of individual volumes originating from different printing runs, editions, or publication dates. While sets are carefully matched to deliver complete series reading experiences, exterior slipcases may show varying degrees of shelf wear or be absent where noted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Sale Doctrine \u0026amp; Non-Affiliation Statement:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAll items sold on this platform are original, lawfully acquired copies being resold under the protection of the First Sale Doctrine (codified under U.S. copyright law, 17 U.S.C. § 109, and applicable international equivalents permitting the secondary resale of lawfully manufactured goods).\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003cp style=\"margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 0;\"\u003eBust-Down Books, LTD. is an independent, secondary-market bookseller. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, or sponsored by the original authors, copyright holders, publishers, or trademark owners of the titles offered for sale. All registered trademarks, author names, book titles, and publisher imprints remain the sole property of their respective owners and are used strictly for nominative identification and descriptive purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": [\"Product\", \"Book\"],\n      \"name\": \"Cities in Flight\",\n      \"author\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\n        \"name\": \"James Blish\"\n      },\n      \"isbn\": \"9780575094178\",\n      \"sameAs\": \"0575094176\",\n      \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Paperback\",\n      \"numberOfPages\": 640,\n      \"publisher\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n        \"name\": \"Gateway \/ Orion Publishing Co.\"\n      },\n      \"datePublished\": \"2010-03-29\",\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780575094178.jpg?v=1789203870\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/cities-in-flight-james-blish-9780575094178\",\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"27.99\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/UsedCondition\"\n      },\n      \"about\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FICTION \/ Science Fiction \/ Space Opera\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FICTION \/ Science Fiction \/ Hard Science Fiction\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FICTION \/ Science Fiction \/ Classic\"\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n          \"name\": \"FICTION \/ Science Fiction \/ High Tech\"\n        }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"Is this a single continuous novel or an anthology omnibus?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"This volume functions as a complete, definitive four-novel omnibus collection capturing James Blish's famed \\\"Okie novels.\\\" It brings together four originally separate texts into a single continuous future history timeline: They Shall Have Stars (1956), A Life for the Stars (1962), Earthman, Come Home (1955), and The Triumph of Time (1959).\"\n          }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the main narrative hook and speculative premise driving the universe?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n            \"text\": \"The overarching plot is built upon two world-changing scientific discoveries: anti-gravity devices known as \\\"spindizzies\\\" and anti-aging longevity drugs. 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