The Stars, Like Dust

The Stars, Like Dust is a 1951 science-fiction book by writer Isaac Asimov. Part of his Empire series, it is widely considered as one of Asimov's worst works, even by the author himself.

This article, The Stars, Like Dust, contains spoilers. Be forewarned, plot and/or ending details follow. Asimov says you decide.

Summary

There is a search for an ancient document that will help govern the galaxy. The document is ultimately revealed to be the United States Constitution.

Notes

• Asimov noted in his autobiography that the genesis of the Constitution subplot lay with H. L. Gold, editor of Galaxy magazine. Asimov felt that Gold's judgement was at fault by attributing too much power to the Constitution as a document. Asimov later considered the premise highly improbable, and became annoyed at Gold for having persuaded him to insert the subplot into the novel. Whatever Asimov's opinion of the novel, he never actually withdrew it from publication.

Gallery

Characters

• Biron Farrell, Son of the Rancher of Widemos, disguised as Biron Malaine of Earth
• Sander Jonti
• Artemisia oth Hinriad, daugther of Henrik of Rhodia
• Gilbret oth Hinriad, uncle of Artemisia, named Gil
• Esbank, Superintendent
• Tedor Rizett
• Pohang
• Simok Aratap
• Henrik of Rhodia or Henrik V, Direktor of Rhodia
• Autarch of Lingane

Places

• Nebular Kingdoms, Planets in the Crab Nebular
• Nephelos
• Rhodia, the 1098th planet settled, conquered by Tyrann
• Tyrann, the 1099th planet settled
• Lingane

See Also

List of Books by Isaac Asimov