Rendezvous with Rama

First published in 1973, this science fiction novel follows a team from the spaceship Endeavour that intercepts Rama, a vast cylinder that has entered the solar system on a sunward course. Commander Norton and his crew go inside: a circular sea, cities of geometric buildings, and a climate that changes as Rama nears the sun. They meet no living crew, only biots and automated systems, and must decide how far to explore before the object leaves. A political argument on Earth about destroying Rama runs in parallel. The book is a voyage of inspection that withholds the makers, not a war with aliens.

Bound in colour wrap-around picture printed cloth. Dark blue endpapers. Die-cut dark blue slipcase.