From the man who invented the concept of cyberspace, each story imagines Vinge's visionary ideas and brings to vivid life his challenging ideas about human life and how we are being changed by technology. The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge contains the first publication of his Hugo Award winning novella of the near-future, Fast Times at Fairmont High, where mankind appears to be reaching obsolescence.

Each story is preceded by a witty and insightful introduction by Vinge, remembering the genesis of stories (from his first story as a schoolboy) and their personal significance for him, as well as his memories of writing in the golden age of sci-fi.