Baen Books' so-called The Complete Psychotechnic League, Volumes 1-3, is incomplete because it excludes The Peregrine and includes only the shorter version of Virgin Planet.
The "Chronology of Future," prepared by Sandra Miesel, on pp. 21-218 of Volume 3, excludes "Quixote and the Windmill" but that is an oversight because this story is part of the History and is included in Volume 2.
If we correct that error, then the Chronology lists eleven titles pre-FTL and eleven FTL although there are questions about the canonicity of perhaps three of the FTL items. However, if we provisionally accept all twenty two items, then an appropriate complete edition would comprise two volumes, covering the STL and FTL periods, respectively.
Volume I would end with "Brake" as Earth descends into the Second Dark Ages after the failure not only of the Psychotechnic Institute but also of those who had sought to replace it. Volume II would begin with "Gypsy," as an interstellar nomadic society begins. They are almost different histories.
I have read "The Acolytes," "The Green Thumb" and "Entity" just once each since their appearances in Volume 3 and will reread all three.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
A COMPLETE collecting of the Psychotechnic stories would include both versions of VIRGIN PLANET and prefatory comments to "The Chapter Ends" explaining not all readers agree that story properly belongs in the series. Unless evidence is found that Anderson intended "Chapter" as part of that timeline.
Ad astra! Sean
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