Greg Bear is one of the most important writers in science fiction today. He has won the prestigious Nebula Award three times, and he also has two Hugo Awards to his credit. In the St. James Guide to Science Fiction Writers, David Brin stated that few SF authors "have been as influential in transforming the genre as Greg Bear, a prolific leader in exploring the concept of change as it affects civilization, science, and even human nature. Perhaps no other writer so well typifies one of the hallmarks of science fiction--the belief that ideas are among the most precious things."

Bear was a precocious youngster. His father was an officer in the U.S. Navy, and he was stationed at posts around the world. By the time he was twelve years old, Bear had traveled with his parents throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Japan, and the Philippines...