Note: "If the Stars are Gods" is a fix-up novel. Section 1, "One 1992 Mars", is the "Hellas is Florida" novelette, from F&SF Jan 1977. Section 2, "Two 2017 The Moon" is the "If the Stars are Gods" novelette, from Universe 4, 1974. Section 3, "Three 2052 Africa", appears to be original to the novel. Section 4, "Four 2060 Jupiter", is "The Anvil of Jove" novella, from F&SF July 1976. Section 5, "Five 2061 Titan" from the novel, is a somewhat different version of the "Titan Falling" novelette, later published in Amazing Stories August 1980. Benford notes in the Prologue to "Titan Falling" in that issue of Amazing that he had written this story in 1975. He then says, "There are facets of Bradley Reynolds, the lead character of STARS, which disappeared when I rewrote 'Titan, Falling,' and I would like to see them appear separate from the novel". He goes on to say, "But authors have odd relationships with their own characters, and something in Bradley wanted to have this last chance to speak."

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."