Tales of Earth: Stories from a future's past (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780692876466)

Tales of Earth is a sci-fi novel told via short stories and tells of a future history or a long forgotten past; readers have said several would be good ideas for movies. In it there are elements of literary fiction, the paranormal, fantasy, as well as historical and para-historical elements -- even considerations upon the beginning of the universe itself. There are space ships, villains, aliens, heroes, adventurers, and lessons to be learned, taught, or ruminated upon. Some of the plots are fantastic in scope, as is the heroism, idealism, and the exploration of very possible solutions to our own current problems - providing, as it does, a profound understanding of what is needed to serve justice and make amends for the uncountable errors of our ways. The word count stands at 77k.

The setting is on one of the first human made worlds, purposed as a university, and a student there, Paz, has graduated to full citizenship. The first assigned task is to read a set of tales, a subset of the many, many millions that have been given to each graduate through the ages. The sets are tailored to each individual and designed to inform their future choices as they reflect upon the historical documents, stories. We read along through fantasy, murderous horror - even communing with the gods. Puzzled after the readings, Paz has questions and is, ultimately, taken to where a very ancient human is expiring, having completed the sentence handed down to him as a consequence of galactic law. In this tale we how this ancient one had brought life to a world and so was became subject to a founding principle of galactic justice, making amends. Thus he became personally responsible for the world he brought life to, for the multi-billions of sentient beings who evolved there, as well as the many worlds they came to settle upon - to do all that he was granted near eternal life. Paz is told that all the stories were written by this person during their long lifetime and then Paz is directed to a view of all the billions of billions, who are also present to witnesses the man's story, the testimony as to how life had been brought to a world, essential recollections of the hearing, and the findings. Those present then observe the ancient being receive of a well-earned boon, that of passing on - for the individual had answered justice, served sentence, and made amends