The Long Cosmos: A Novel

The thrilling conclusion to the internationally bestselling Long Earth series explores the greatest question of all: What is the meaning of life?

2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day, a new society continues to evolve in the Long Earth. Now, a message has been received: “Join us.”

The Next—the hyper-intelligent post-humans—realize that the missive contains instructions for kick-starting the development of an immense artificial intelligence known as The Machine. But to build this computer the size of an Earth continent, they must obtain help from the more populous and still industrious worlds of mankind.

Meanwhile, on a trek in the High Meggers, Joshua Valienté, now nearing seventy, is saved from death when a troll band discovers him. Living among the trolls as he recovers, Joshua develops a deeper understanding of this collective-intelligence species and its society. He discovers that some older trolls, with capacious memories, act as communal libraries, and live on a very strange Long Earth world, in caverns under the root systems of trees as tall as mountains.

Valienté also learns something much more profound . . . about life and its purpose in the Long Earth: We cultivate the cosmos to maximize the opportunities for life and joy in this universe, and to prepare for new universes to come.

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2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day, a new society continues to evolve on the Long Earth.

The Next—the hyper-intelligent post-humans—realize that the missive contains instructions for kick-starting the development of an immense artificial intelligence known as The Machine. But to build this computer the size of an Earth continent, they must obtain help from the more populous and still industrious worlds of mankind.

Meanwhile, on a trek in the High Meggers, Joshua Valienté is saved from death when a troll band discovers him. Living among the trolls as he recovers, Joshua learns something profound about life and its purpose in the Long Earth . . . |

“In this thought-provoking collaboration, Pratchett (the Discworld series) and Baxter (Stone Spring) create an infinity of worlds to explore… fascinating premise…” - Publishers Weekly on THE LONG EARTH

Praise for The Long Mars: “Panoramic and fascinating...” - Kirkus Reviews on THE LONG MARS

Praise for The Long Utopia: “Their trademark world building and questions of morality remain intact, but in this fourth-in-a-series (and first of Pratchett’s remaining books to be published posthumously), the co-authors have created a tighter, more focused narrative that moves faster than its predecessors. The explosive cliff-hanger ending—also now something of a trademark—promises one final return to the series.” - Booklist on THE LONG UTOPIA

Praise for The Long Earth: “The Long Earth is a brilliant Science Fiction collaboration with Stephen Baxter: a love letter to all Pratchett fans, readers, and lovers of wonder everywhere… This novel is a gift to be shared with anyone who loves to be amazed.” - Io9 on THE LONG EARTH

“As you’d expect from these authors, the writing is elegant and witty, peppered with sly pop-culture references. The worlds of the Long Earth are all richly rendered, and even the walk-on characters are deftly imagined…The Long Earth is a genuinely thoughtful and entertaining exploration of a profoundly changed universe-and the potential seems endless not just for the characters, but for Pratchett and Baxter as well.” - Tor.com on THE LONG EARTH

“Stay tuned for the next episode of a very old-fashioned sf quest yarn (think Jules Verne and 2001) that, since Pratchett is involved, is crammed with scientifically informed amusement.” - Booklist on THE LONG EARTH