Susan Shwartz returns to her science ficion roots with a riveting novel of honor and its loss, and the exploration of what it means to be a true hero. Second Chances is an homage to Joseph Conrad-think of Lord Jim in space. As Conrad explored the themes of lost honor and guilt, expiation and heroism, Shwartz has created in her Jim a man haunted by guilt and his lifelong efforts to somehow atone-no matter whether or not he merited the disgrace.

As Conrad's Jim was a tragic and ultimately noble hero, so too is Shwartz's Jim. A professional soldier whose time has passed, Jim is stationed as security for a commercial venture critical to humanity's continued survival. Now he's just another "tin soldier," a prop for the military to look good to war-weary civilians. But he's never stopped caring about those who scorn him and the ideals to which he still clings. That caring is tested when he is thrust into a scandal not of his making and chooses to carry the burden of guilt no matter what. Because of his own pride...and maybe because that's the one thing he has left.

That, and a promise of a second chance.

Genre: Science Fiction