The Stars, Like Dust was published by Doubleday in 1951. Biron Farrill, a young man studying on Earth, learns that his father has been executed by the Tyranni — a conquering people who have subjugated fifty worlds in the Nebular Kingdoms. Biron flees and joins a resistance movement searching for a rebel world and a mysterious document that, legend holds, contains the key to overthrowing the Tyranni.
The novel was Asimov’s most conventional space opera — a galactic adventure with chases, escapes, disguises, and political intrigue. Asimov was always somewhat embarrassed by the book’s pulp-adventure plotting, and the “mysterious document” revelation was dictated by his editor (it turns out to be the United States Constitution, an ending Asimov found forced and unconvincing).
Despite these reservations, the novel is a competent and entertaining space adventure, and its galactic political setting connects to the broader Foundation universe.
Collecting The Stars, Like Dust
First edition (Doubleday, New York, 1951): Boards with dust jacket.
Market values:
- First edition, fine in dust jacket: $300–$800
- Very good in jacket: $100–$300
- Without jacket: $25–$75