Louise Armstrong Holliday is the last person on Earth you’d expect to save the human race. But when she uncovers proof that her boss is an alien the color of lime jelly gone horribly wrong, and is at the center of a plot to destroy humanity, Louie decides to do exactly that. She begins a journey from her company’s suburban Seattle office park to the old cities and castles of Eastern Europe. Along the way, Louie is attacked by flying books, overly-sensitive bat-crow monsters, and her own self-doubts. She must learn the truth about her closest friend, stand up to her boss, confront her oldest enemy, and make peace with her Aunt Emma, who annoys her in the way only true family can. She also has to rely on Buddy, the little blind mini-Schnauzer who saves her life twice – and really is from Mars.

“A no-holds-barred collection” of evil genius stories from Diana Gabaldon, Grady Hendrix, Austin Grossman, Naomi Novik, and eighteen other popular writers (Library Journal, starred review). From Victor Frankenstein to Lex Luthor, from Dr. Moreau to Dr. Doom, readers have long been fascinated by insane plans for world domination and the madmen who devise them. Typically, we see these villains through the eyes of good guys. This anthology, The Mad Scientist’s Guide to World Domination, however, explores the world of mad scientists and evil geniuses—from their own wonderfully twisted point of view. An all-star roster of bestselling authors—including Diana Gabaldon, Daniel Wilson, Austin Grossman, Naomi Novik, and Seanan McGuire . . . twenty-two great storytellers all told—have produced a fabulous assortment of stories guaranteed to provide readers with hour after hour of high-octane entertainment born of the most megalomaniacal mayhem imaginable. Everybody loves villains. They’re bad; they always stir the pot; they’re much more fun than the good guys, even if we want to see the good guys win. Their fiendish schemes, maniacal laughter, and limitless ambition are legendary, but what lies behind those crazy eyes and wicked grins? How—and why—do they commit these nefarious deeds? And why are they so set on taking over the world? If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions, you’re in luck: It’s finally time for the madmen’s side of the story. “Veteran anthology editor Adams succeeds again . . . [His] entertaining story introductions set the stage for villains to find their own definitions and identities.” —Publishers Weekly

A self-help guide for would-be world conquerors provides a ten-step program for becoming an archvillain, including picking a name and a costume, setting up a lair, making robots, and acquiring minions.

Nathan Bauer is the smartest man alive. Mathematics, programming and designing space rockets are not a problem. His problem is talking to pretty girls. Nathan tells the story of his adventures, from his shy school days through the exciting times when he invented artificial intelligence, met the girl of his dreams and took control of planet Earth, but what will happen to his life and the whole planet when his life is rewound, and his chance to invent artificial intelligence is taken away?

TUNE IN. TURN ON. GEEK OUT. Sorry, beautiful people. These days, from government to business to technology to Hollywood, geeks rule the world. Finally, here’s the book no self-respecting geek can live without–a guide jam-packed with 314.1516 short entries both useful and fun. Science, pop-culture trivia, paper airplanes, and pure geekish nostalgia coexist as happily in these pages as they do in their natural habitat of the geek brain. In short, dear geek, here you’ll find everything you need to achieve nirvana. And here, for you pathetic nongeeks, is the last chance to save yourselves: Love this book, live this book, and you too can join us in the experience of total world domination. • become a sudoku god • brew your own beer • build a laser beam • classify all living things • clone your pet • exorcise demons • find the world’s best corn mazes • grasp the theory of relativity • have sex on Second Life • injure a fish • join the Knights Templar • kick ass with sweet martial-arts moves • learn ludicrous emoticons • master the Ocarina of Time • pimp your cubicle • program a remote control • quote He-Man and Che Guevara • solve fiendish logic puzzles • touch Carl Sagan • unmask Linus Torvalds • visit Beaver Lick, Kentucky • win bar bets • write your name in Elvish Join us or die, you will. Begun, the Geek Wars have

The award-winning Uplift novels comprise one of the greatest achievements in science fiction history. Dramatic, thought-provoking, and inventive, these books describe a fully realized world rich in character, detail, and ideas. Now Uplift author David Brin collaborates with acclaimed artist Kevin Lenagh to compile the definitive guide to the species, societies, and technology of one of the greatest feats of literary world-building ever accomplished. CONTACTING ALIENS Here in the form of a handbook for Terran field agents is a detailed look at Uplift’s many alien races--from the friendly Tymbrimi to the warlike Tandu, from the wise and enigmatic Kanten to the fiercely reptilian Soro, from the bureaucratic Hoon to the manipulative Thennanin--their physiology, psychology, history; their clans and alliances; and their shifting attitudes toward Earth and its representatives. Here, too, is a history of Earth’s contact and challenging interactions with the mysterious and powerful Civilization of Five Galaxies, a look at its institutions, languages, and customs, plus a time line of momentous events going back 3 billion years. For the millions of fans of the Uplift novels, this long-awaited guide will be an essential reference work, filled with vital information and never-before-seen illustrations that reveal, for the first time in one volume, the keys to the ambitious vision and bold speculation of the Uplift universe.

With tongue in cheek, the SCHWA WORLD OPERATIONS MANUAL lays bare the full scope of alien conspiracy and its secret tactics, from subliminal coercion to bipolar marketing techniques. For those who wish to open a Schwa franchise in an adjacent solar system, here is a starter kit complete with propaganda tools: 4 postcards; 6 stickers; 1 large poster; ID card and more. Illustrated throughout.