Thirty-five billion people from throughout Earth's history were resurrected along the great winding waterways of Riverworld. Most began life anew - accepting without question the sustenance provided by their mysterious benefactors. But a rebellious handful burned to confront the unseen masters who controlled their fate - and these few launched an invasion that would ultimately yield the mind-boggling truth.
Riverworld's omnipotent leaders would be confronted, and the renegades of Riverworld - led by the intrepid Sir Richard Francis Burton - would control the fantastic mechanism that once ruled them. But the most awesome challenge lies ahead. For in the vast corridors and secret rooms of the tower stronghold, an unknown enemy watches and waits to usurp the usurpers...
(Ballantine/Del Rey editions.)