Last and first men
Last and First Men, published in 1930, was Olaf Stapledon's first novel and one of the most ambitious works of speculative fiction ever written. It is presented as a history of the future told by one of the Last Men, living on Neptune two thousand million years from now. Beginning with wars in Europe after the First World War, it follows the rise and fall of the First Men, the dominance of America, a catastrophic collapse, invasions from Mars and the emergence of seventeen further human species across vast ages, as humanity migrates to Venus and finally to Neptune. With almost no individual characters, it gives the reader a sense of cosmic time that influenced generations of science fiction writers. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Last and first men
Last and first men by Olaf Stapledon can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Last and first men online?
Yes. Last and first men opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Last and first men free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Last and first men is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Last and first men in the public domain?
Yes. Last and first men by Olaf Stapledon is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Last and first men?
About 7 h 44 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Last and first men?
Last and first men by Olaf Stapledon is filed under "Science Fiction & Fantasy" in the Vinteuil library.
