A stinging SFnal, futuristic satire on the TV industry, based on Ben's and Harlan Ellison's involvement in a real TV series, THE STARLOST. (Bova dedicates the novel to "Cordwainer Bird," the pen name Harlan Ellison uses when he does not want to be associated with a television or film project.) Television in the 21st century, where ratings are everything... Physicist Bill Oxford has just developed a device that can make the networks even more powerful, and now he is caught in the most vicious battle of the future: the ratings war Harlan's script won a major award (though his script isn't what was filmed ); and ReAnimus Press has the novel edition of his award-winning version (PHOENIX WITHOUT ASHES). A delightful bit of fun in the future, poking fun at those who should be poked.