A companion novel to Anderson's recent Harvest of Stars, his latest, The Stars Are Also Fire, spans 500 years, beginning at the start of the 21st century and closing in an era in which, although individuals are allowed a great deal of personal freedom, the world and beyond are run to perfection by the Overmind, a vast computer net.

The novel features many fiercely independent and memorable characters. Not least are Anson Guthrie, a man who creates his own world when Earth won't allow him the freedom he must have, his granddaughter Dagny Beynac, whose children are the first true Lunarians, and Ian Kenmuir, a space pilot who must make a choice—for all humanity—between human freedom, or soulless, machine perfection.

Stars delivers what Anderson does best: It creates and explores a society that is in the process of expanding technologically, geographically, and ethically. In other words a future in which there is some reason for hope.