All the Lives He Led – Frederik Pohl 2012 Paperback

🚀 All the Lives He Led by Frederik Pohl (2011, Tor) — Hugo and Nebula Grand Master Frederik Pohl’s final novel, a near-future thriller set in a high-tech Pompeii theme park where virtual reality and ancient history collide with terrorism and conspiracy. This is a first mass market paperback printing from January 2012, in Very Good condition with vibrant cover art.

QUICK FACTS

• Author: Frederik Pohl (1919–2013), SFWA Grand Master, Hugo and Nebula Award winner
• Publisher: Tor (Tom Doherty Associates, LLC), New York
• Year: 2011 (copyright) / First Mass Market Edition January 2012
• Format: Mass market paperback, no dust jacket
• ISBN: 978-0-7653-6145-5
• Condition: Very Good — full report below

THE STORY

In A.D. 79, Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii under tons of ash. Two thousand years later, in 2079, the ancient city has been rebuilt as a high-tech theme park called il Giubileo, where state-of-the-art virtual reality restores the ruins to their pre-eruption splendor each morning. Brad Sheridan works as an “ancient” Pompeiian wine seller in this brave new world — until a deadly virus dubbed the Pompeii Flu starts thinning the crowds, and his girlfriend Gerda disappears.

When Brad searches for Gerda, he stumbles onto evidence that terrorists have murdered a co-worker, and he becomes the prime suspect. Caught between the police and a terrorist cell preparing a catastrophic attack, Brad must navigate a maze of corporate corruption, surveillance technology, and political intrigue in Pohl’s characteristically sharp and warm style.

THIS EDITION

This is the first mass market paperback printing (January 2012) of Pohl’s final novel. The hardcover first edition was published by Tor in April 2011. This edition carries the full number line “0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” on the copyright page, confirming a first printing of the mass market format. Edited by James Frenkel.

COVER ART

The front cover features An Eruption of Vesuvius, Seen from Portici by Joseph Wright of Derby, sourced from the Bridgeman Art Library. The painting depicts the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in a dramatic blaze of oranges, reds, and yellows against swirling clouds of smoke and ash — a perfect visual match for the novel’s Pompeii theme. The back cover continues the fiery color palette with the synopsis and a Publishers Weekly quote praising Pohl’s “continuing strengths in the eighth decade of his career.” Bold white sans-serif typography for the author’s name and title stands out cleanly against the volcanic artwork.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Pohl’s final novel — he died in 2013 at age 93, closing a career spanning from the 1930s to the 2010s
• Hugo Award for Best Novel (Gateway, 1977), Nebula Award for Best Novel (Man Plus, 1976), and SFWA Grand Master designation (1998)
• The novel combines Pohl’s deep knowledge of advertising and media (from his early career as an adman) with his lifelong engagement with themes of corporate power and dystopia

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What edition is this? First mass market paperback, January 2012 (Tor, Tom Doherty Associates). ISBN 978-0-7653-6145-5. Original list price $7.99.

What condition is it in? Very Good — vibrant cover art, two light spine creases, minimal edge wear, tight binding, clean cream pages with no tanning or markings. Full condition report below.

Is this a first printing? Yes — the number line “0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1” on the copyright page confirms a first printing of the mass market edition.

FOR COLLECTORS

This is the last novel Frederik Pohl completed before his death in September 2013, making it a meaningful endpoint for one of science fiction’s longest careers. Pohl’s work as both a writer and editor (Galaxy, If) shaped the genre across seven decades. Copies in this condition with the complete number line are worth having for any serious SF collection.

Condition Report

Overall Grade: Very Good

Cover & Spine: Vibrant cover art with excellent color retention, some minimal edge wear on covers edges in places. Spine has two light creases and a mild reading curl, showing minimal shelf-wear at the head and tail.

Dust Jacket: N/A

Text Block & Pages: Cream-colored pages consistent with standard paperback quality. No tanning, writing or marks. Text block are bright and free from thumbing or dings or dents.

Binding: Tight, no loose, torn or folded pages.

See accompanying images for full condition details. Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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