Synopsis: From the flaps of the Berkley first edition: "In the tradition of Childhood's End., Berkley is proud to present this major philosophical science-fiction novel by two best young writers in the field. If the Stars Are Gods spans the hundred year career of Bradley Reynolds. Against the background of man's exploration of the outer planets, this great novel investigates the alterations in human consciousness caused by space travel. It is a work that illuminates the wonders of the physical exploration of space was well as the metaphysical barriers that must be overcome before humans can become true citizens of the galaxy. One of the early episodes of this chronicle, from which the novel takes its name, has already won the Nebula Award for best novelette. Now the anxiously awaited full version presents the complete story: from the first Martian expedition, through the arrival of aliens on a religious mission - from a research station above Jupiter - to the discovery of intelligent life on Saturn, to the final, magnificent fate of Bradley Reynolds."