A collection of stories that encompasses mankind's epic fight for survival against the Xeelee. A narrative of how man will change and evolve over the eons and light years of our epic journey out into the universe. These narratives will encompass the rise of sub-molecular empires in the first nanoseconds after the big bang to mankinds final transformation in the last moments before the end of time. Full of cutting edge science, descriptions of time and space on a mind-boggling scale and memorable all too human characters it is both the capstone to one of the most significant series in the history of SF and a remarkable achievement in its own right. This is a mature and uniquely talented writer at the height of his powers.