The Player of Games

Curgeh is the best, the champion. In the ancient, all-embracing Culture in which there is no disease or disaster, only the endless games, he has beaten them all. But an empire's challenge will teach him what the Game is really all about.

"Striking for its breadth of vision, its ability to suggest the sprawling facets of an old, far-flung culture." -- "Publishers Weekly"

"A genuine and original talent." -- "The Detroit News"

No serious science fiction fan can resist this seminal novel in Banks' renowned series about the universe of the Culture.