The Complete Collection of Olaf Stapledon. Illustrated: Last and First Men, Last Men in London, Star Maker, Sirius, Waking World and others

by Olaf Stapledon

The Complete Collection of Olaf Stapledon brings together the most visionary and philosophically ambitious works of one of the most original minds in 20th-century science fiction. This illustrated edition includes foundational classics such as Last and First Men, Star Maker, Sirius, Last Men in London, and Waking World, offering readers an unparalleled journey through time, space, and consciousness.

Stapledon’s fiction is not only imaginative—it is deeply reflective, exploring themes of evolution, morality, identity, and the destiny of humanity on a cosmic scale. In Last and First Men, he envisions two billion years of human history, tracing the rise and fall of countless civilizations. Star Maker expands even further, exploring the entire arc of the universe from a metaphysical perspective. Sirius, more intimate in tone, follows a super-intelligent dog grappling with love, alienation, and the boundaries of selfhood.

What makes Stapledon’s writing uniquely powerful is its blend of speculative grandeur and philosophical depth. His works influenced generations of science fiction writers, including Arthur C. Clarke, Stanisław Lem, and Isaac Asimov, and continue to challenge readers to think beyond the present moment and current form of humanity.

This collection is a definitive treasury for lovers of speculative literature, ideal for those who seek not just storytelling, but a confrontation with the ultimate questions of existence. Enriched with illustrations that capture the scale and wonder of Stapledon’s vision, this edition honors a writer who redefined the boundaries of science fiction and philosophical inquiry.

The Novels
• Last and First Men
• Last Men in London
• Star Maker
• Darkness and the Light
• Sirius
• Death into Life
• The Flames
• A Man Divided

The Poetry
• Latter-Day Psalms

The Non-Fiction
• A Modern Theory of Ethics
• Waking World
• Youth and Tomorrow
• Interplanetary Man?

3193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2025

About the author

Excerpted from wikipedia:
William Olaf Stapledon was a British philosopher and author of several influential works of science fiction.

Stapledon's writings directly influenced Arthur C. Clarke, Brian Aldiss, Stanisław Lem, C. S. Lewis and John Maynard Smith and indirectly influenced many others, contributing many ideas to the world of science fiction.