FRANK HERBERT: THE EYES OF HEISENBERG

Sphere SF paperback, 1968. Cover photograph by David Davies.

Rear-cover synopsis: 

"In the age of the Optiman genetic surgeons tamper with the gametes of unborn children in the hospital vats. From time to time they achieve the miracle known as the Optiman - a human being whose tissues never wear out, an immortal. 

There is one drawback: The Optimen are not viable - they cannot breed. The ability to reproduce is confined to a small minority of ordinary mortals. The hospitals are supervised by an all powerful security force to stop this minority from growing beyond the limits decreed by the Optimen. 

Then Dr. Potter presides at the 'cutting' of a very special embryo; to ensure its destruction, the Optimen are prepared to destroy a whole city."

C.M. KORNBLUTH: THE SYNDIC

Sphere SF paperback, 1968. Cover photograph by David Davies.

Rear-cover synopsis: 

"The Government of North America has been pushed into the sea and survives only on the West coast of Ireland as a strict military dictatorship. The East of the U.S. is ruled by The Syndic - permissive, happy, possibly doomed - and to the west is Mob territory. Charles Orsino and Lee Falcaro from the Syndic are planted as spies in Government territory. They discover the truth about the outside world and the extent of the dangerous scheme which is being plotted to smash the Syndic for ever."