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AN INTRODUCTION TO a novel is--almost without exception--unnecessary This isintroductions to any of the preceding nine never even occurred to ue is called for Because its subject is survival after death, it is essential that you realize, before reading the story, that only one aspect of it is fictional: the characters and their relationships

With few exceptions, every other detail is derived exclusively from research

For that reason, I have added, at the conclusion of the novel, a list of the books used for this research As you will see, they are ard to authors and times and places of publication, there is a persistent, unavoidable uniformity to their content

You would, of course, have to read thee you to do so You will find it an enlightening--and extraordinary--experience

RICHARD MATHESON Calabasas, California August 1977 For in that sleep of death what dreams ive us pause

--Hamlet, Act III, Sc 1