In the course of one long-distance expedition, the research ship of the Archives discovers a planet with unique people, as if having no kinship with the rest of the humankind. The attempt to contact them ends tragically – nearly the whole crew dies, but the ship with artificial intelligence manages to come back to the Archives’ port with the information about the discovery. The strange race, which can be a nation of monsters from another Universe, is dying; there are no children born in their world, the population is decreasing, cities are becoming empty. Should they be helped or left to the mercy of fate?.. Perhaps, it will be better to eliminate these monsters, send them into nothingness quickly and painlessly. There are different opinions in the Great Galaxies as to what should be done. The Archives and the Monasteries secretly send another, well-armed expedition; its goal is to study the newly discovered world and take the decision. The ship is taking researchers to the far-off planet but they are not united: each of the six crew members has his/her preferences, goals and secrets.

A man looking for the truth about his brother’s death uncovers a chain of lies that may leave him in peril The death of Wall Street trader Alan Friedlander leaves his brother stunned. Officially recorded as being caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Alan’s death shocks his brother Michael to the core and leaves him desperate for answers. Determined to find the real cause of Alan’s death, Michael begins to uncover dark secrets implicating some of the city’s most trusted institutions. But Michael is not alone in his suspicions. A young pathologist has cause for doubts as well. By the time their investigation leads to New York’s chief medical examiner, they may both be in serious danger.

Together with the editor's thoughtful introductions, the central existential writings of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre included in this volume make it the most substantial anthology of existentialism available. Without shortening any of the selections offered in the first edition, the second edition adds valuable context by presenting two additional selections by philosophers who had a profound impact on the development of existentialism: Hegel and Husserl.