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Title: The Fourth Profession

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Title: The Fourth Profession Title Record # 41386
Author: Larry Niven
Date: 1971-08-00
Type: SHORTFICTION
Length: novelette
Language: English
Synopsis: An alien salesman walks into a bar... and offers free samples of its wares; "memory" pills which implant within the consumer the training, knowledge, memories, etc. required for a given profession, whether terrestrial or alien.
User Rating: 7.83 (6 votes) Your vote: Not cast VOTE
Current Tags: science fiction (1), alien encounter (1), memory (1), tavern (1), education (1) Add Tags

Other Titles

Translations
Year Language Title
1973Translated by Ana Gonzalez
Portuguese A Quarta Profissão
1973Translated by Heinz Zwack (as Heinz Nagel)
German Der vierte Beruf
1975Translated by Knut Azimuth
Dutch Het vierde beroep
1976Translated by Tony Westermayr
German Der vierte Beruf
1981Translated by Krsto Mažuranić
Croatian
Četvrta vještina?Cetvrta vjestina
Chetvrta vjeshtina
1989Translated by 酒井昭伸(Sakai Akinobu)
Japanese
第四の専門知識?Daiyon no Senmon Chishiki
[as by
ラリイ・ニーヴン?Rarii Nīvun
Rarii Niivun
]

Awards

Place Year and Award Category
3 1972 Hugo Best Novella

Publications

Displaying all variants and translations • Do not display translationsDo not display variants or translations

Title Date Author/Editor Publisher/Pub. Series ISBN/Catalog ID Price Pages Format Type Cover Artist Verif
Quark/4 1971-08-00 ed. Samuel R. Delany, Marilyn Hacker Paperback Library 66-658
$1.25?$: US dollar
240
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Martin Last Checkmark
Quark/4 1971-08-00 ed. Samuel R. Delany, Marilyn Hacker Paperback Library 66-658
C$1.25?C$: Canadian dollar
240
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Martin Last Checkmark
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF 1972-05-00 ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim DAW Books (DAW Collectors #5) 0-87997-005-7 / UQ1005
$0.95?$: US dollar
302
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth John Schoenherr Checkmark
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF 1972-05-00 ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim DAW Books UQ1005
C$0.95?C$: Canadian dollar
302
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth John Schoenherr Checkmark
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF 1972-07-00 ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim DAW Books / SFBC 3055
$1.98?$: US dollar
x+
296
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth Frank Frazetta Checkmark
The Best Science Fiction of the Year 1972-07-00 ed. Terry Carr Ballantine Books 0-345-02671-3
$1.25?$: US dollar
ix+
340
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Chris Foss Checkmark
The Best Science Fiction of the Year 1972-07-00 ed. Terry Carr Ballantine Books 0-345-02671-3
C$1.25?C$: Canadian dollar
ix+
340
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Chris Foss Checkmark
Os Melhores Contos de FC de 1972 1973-00-00 ed. Donald A. Wollheim Dêagá (Ciência #18)     226
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Andrade Albuquerque Checkmark
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF 1973-00-00 ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim Book Club Associates     301
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
anth  
Die Welt, die Dienstag war 1973-04-00 ed. Terry Carr
König?Koenig
(
König Taschenbücher?Koenig Taschenbuecher
#7)
3-8082-0025-1
DM 3.80?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
140
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Rudolf Huber-Wilkoff Checkmark
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF 1973-11-00 ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim DAW Books (DAW Collectors #5) UY1081
$1.25?$: US dollar
302
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth John Schoenherr Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1974-06-00 Larry Niven Ballantine Books 0-345-24011-1
$1.25?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1974-06-00 Larry Niven Ballantine Books 0-345-24011-1
C$1.25?C$: Canadian dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1974-11-00 Larry Niven Ballantine Books 0-345-24011-1
$1.25?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1975-00-00 Larry Niven Orbit / Futura 0-86007-853-1
£0.50?£: UK pound
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Tony Roberts (artist) Checkmark
De stranden van Sirius vier 1975-00-00 Larry Niven Meulenhoff (M=SF #91) 90-290-0160-7   316
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Chris Foss Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1976-03-00 Larry Niven Ballantine Books 0-345-25287-X
$1.50?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
The Best Science Fiction of the Year #1 1976-04-00 ed. Terry Carr Ballantine Books 0-345-24922-4
$1.95?$: US dollar
[ix]+
340
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Checkmark
Die Lücke im System?Die Luecke im System
1976-07-00 Larry Niven Goldmann (Goldmann Science Fiction #0227) 3-442-23227-9
DM 4.00?DM: German (Deutsche) mark
160
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll F. Jürgen Rogner Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1977-02-00 Larry Niven Del Rey / Ballantine 0-345-27137-8
$1.50?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
Wollheim's World's Best SF: Vol. I 1977-12-00 ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim DAW Books 0-87997-349-8 / UE1349
$1.75?$: US dollar
302
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth John Berkey Checkmark
Wollheim's World's Best SF: Vol. I 1977-12-00 ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim DAW Books 0-87997-349-8 / UE1349
C$1.75?C$: Canadian dollar
302
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth John Berkey Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1978-08-00 Larry Niven Del Rey / Ballantine 0-345-28040-7
$1.75?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1980-00-00 Larry Niven Orbit / Futura 0-86007-853-1
£1.25?£: UK pound
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Peter Jones Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1980-03-00 Larry Niven Del Rey / Ballantine 0-345-29225-1
$1.95?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1981-03-00 Larry Niven Del Rey / Ballantine 0-345-30051-3
$2.25?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis Checkmark
Sirius, #61 1981-07-05 ed.
Borivoj Jurković?Borivoj Jurkovic
Borivoj Jurkovich
Vjesnik  
Din 30?Din: Serbian and Yugoslavian dinar
148
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
mag
Vjekoslav Ivezić?Vjekoslav Ivezic
Vjekoslav Ivezich
Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1984-00-00 Larry Niven Orbit 0-86007-853-1
£2.25?£: UK pound
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Peter Jones Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1986-00-00 Larry Niven Orbit / Futura 0-86007-853-1
£2.50?£: UK pound
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Peter Jones Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1988-05-00 Larry Niven Del Rey / Ballantine 0-345-33777-8
$3.50?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis  
S-Fマガジン 1989年2月号, #374?Esu-Efu Magajin 1989-nen 2-gatsu Gō, #374
Esu-Efu Magajin 1989-nen 2-gatsu Gou, #374
S-F Magajin 1989-nen 2-gatsu Gō, #374
S-F Magajin 1989-nen 2-gatsu Gō, #374
1989-02-00 ed.
Editors of S-Fマガジン?Editors of Esu-Efu Magajin
Editors of S-F Magajin
早川書房?Hayakawa Shobō
Hayakawa Shobo
はやかわしょぼう
ハヤカワショボウ
     
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
mag  
A Hole in Space 1990-00-00 Larry Niven Ballantine Books 0-345-33777-8
$4.95?$: US dollar
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dean Ellis  
Project Solar Sail 1990-04-00 ed. David Brin, Arthur C. Clarke Roc / Penguin 0-451-45002-7
$4.50?$: US dollar
246
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth Checkmark
N-Space 1990-09-00 Larry Niven Tor 0-312-85089-1
$19.95?$: US dollar
529
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Dave Archer Checkmark
N-Space 1991-02-00 Larry Niven Tor / SFBC 17755
$9.98?$: US dollar
529
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Dave Archer Checkmark
N-Space 1991-09-00 Larry Niven Tor 0-812-51001-1
$5.99?$: US dollar
vi+
693
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dave Archer Checkmark
A Hole in Space 1992-00-00 Larry Niven Orbit / Little, Brown UK 1-85723-147-3
£4.50?£: UK pound
196
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Peter Elson Checkmark
N-Space 1992-01-00 Larry Niven Orbit 1-85723-003-5
£4.99?£: UK pound
617
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Fred Gambino  
N-Space 1992-01-00 Larry Niven Orbit 0-356-20242-9
£14.99?£: UK pound
vi+
617
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Fred Gambino Checkmark
N-Space 1992-02-00 Larry Niven Orbit 1-85723-003-5
£4.99?£: UK pound
617
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Fred Gambino Checkmark
N-Space 1997-05-00 Larry Niven Tor 0-812-51001-1
$6.99?$: US dollar
vi+
693
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Dave Archer Checkmark
N-Space 1998-00-00 Larry Niven Orbit 1-85723-003-5
£6.99?£: UK pound
617
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
coll Fred Gambino Checkmark
N-Space 2007-08-00 Larry Niven Tor 0-765-31824-5
$15.95?$: US dollar
vi+
534
tp?Trade paperback. Any softcover book which is at least 7.25" (or 19 cm) tall, or at least 4.5" (11.5 cm) wide/deep.
coll Ray Massey  
The Best of Larry Niven 2010-12-00 Larry Niven Subterranean Press 978-1-59606-331-0
$40.00?$: US dollar
618
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Edward Miller Checkmark
The Best of Larry Niven 2010-12-00 Larry Niven Subterranean Press 978-1-59606-331-0
$60.00?$: US dollar
618
hc?Hardcover. Used for all hardbacks of any size.
coll Edward Miller  
A Hole in Space 2011-06-17 Larry Niven Spectrum Literary Agency  
$5.99?$: US dollar
206
ebook?Used for all electronic formats, including but not limited to EPUB, eReader, HTML, iBook, Mobipocket, and PDF.
coll  
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF date unknown ed. Arthur W. Saha, Donald A. Wollheim DAW Books (DAW Collectors #5) UQ1005
$0.95?$: US dollar
302
pb?Paperback. Typically 7" by 4.25" (18 cm by 11 cm) or smaller, though trimming errors can cause them to sometimes be slightly (less than 1/4 extra inch) taller or wider/deeper.
anth John Schoenherr  
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