Left Hand of Darkness. Ursula K. Leguin. Walker, 1969.

This classic in science fiction follows the story of Genly Ai, a native of Terra (Earth), who is sent to the planet of Gethen as an envoy of the Ekumen, a loose confederation of planets. Ai’s mission is to persuade the nations fo Gethen to join the Edumen, but he is stymied by his lack of understanding of Gethenian culture. Winner of the 1969 Nebula and 1970 Hugo awards and ranked among the best science fiction books ever written. [Description by John Doyle.] Our hardback copy is a Book Club edition, a fine copy in blue boards with black spine lettering, lacking a dust jacket, but square and tight.