William Olaf Stapledon - known as Olaf Stapledon - was a British philosopher and author of several influential works of science fiction. Stapledon’s writings directly influenced C.S. Lewis, John Maynard Smith, Arthur C. Clarke, Bertrand Russell, and indirectly influenced many others.

“Olaf Stapledon was one of the most creative thinkers of our time. His influence on philosophy and science fiction is incalculable.” - Greg Bear

Written in 1941, at the height of the Second World War, Stapledon presents two disparate futures for humanity: one that leads to the extinction of the human race, and another that creates a worldwide socialist utopia.