Introductions

The "Le Matelot" passage at the beginning of Poul Anderson's Trader To The Stars is an introduction not just to the first story in the collection and not just to the collection but also to the whole of Technic civilization. Therefore, in The Technic Civilization Saga, Volume I, this passage should precede not "Hiding Place" but "Margin of Profit" even though the latter story already has an Earth Book introduction. If, in addition, as has already been suggested, "Esau" were to be relocated to after "The Master Key," then these alterations would resolve a current anomaly. In The Technic Civilization Saga as it stands, "Esau" precedes "Hiding Place" even though the Earth Book introduction to "Esau," reproduced in the Saga, describes League philosophy and practices as already archaic or even obsolete whereas "Le Matelot" celebrates the beginning of a new age.

We will have more to say about introductions to Technic civilization.