The Truth and Other Stories

Experience a sci-fi master at his finest in this collection of 12 science fiction short stories from 1956 to 1993-many now presented in English for the very first time! "A brilliant introduction to Lem's science fiction." -Wall Street Journal   Discover the full range of Stanislaw Lem's intense curiosity about scientific ideas-and his sardonic approach to human nature-in this unforgettable collection of 12 short stories.
  In "The Truth, " a scientist in an insane asylum theorizes that the sun is alive.   "The Journal" appears to be an account by an omnipotent being describing the creation of infinite universes-until, in a classic Lem twist, it turns out to be no such thing.   In "An Enigma, " beings debate whether offspring can be created without advanced degrees and design templates.  Other stories feature a computer that can predict the future by 137 seconds, matter-destroying spores, a hunt in which the prey is a robot, and an electronic brain eager to go on the lam .