FORREST, FELIX C (PSEUDONYM OF PAUL LINEBARGER, AND CORDWAINER SMITH) — Ria

New York, NY: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1947. 1st Edition; 1st Printing. Hardcover. This book is in Very Good- condition and has a Very Good dust jacket. The spine ends and corners of the book covers have some beginning bumping. The bottom edges of the book covers have a strip of fading / toning (approx. 3/4" deep). The text pages are clean and bright. The dust jacket has rubbing to the spine ends and corners. There is a crease to the spine of the book and one tiny tear as well. "Most of Smith's stories are set in the distant future, between 4,000 and 14,000 years after the twentieth century. In this future, after the Ancient Wars devastate Earth, humans—ruled by the Instrumentality of Mankind—rebuild and expand to the stars in the Second Age of Space (around 6000 AD). Over the next few thousand years, humanity spreads to thousands of worlds, and human life becomes safe but sterile, as robots and the animal-derived Underpeople take over many human jobs, and humans themselves are genetically programmed as embryos to perform specified duties. Toward the end of this period, the Instrumentality attempts to revive old cultures and languages in a process known as the Rediscovery of Man, where humans emerge from their mundane utopia and Underpeople are liberated from slavery. "(from Wikipedia). Very Good- in Very Good dust jacket .