Notes
The Book of Skulls, a standalone novel by Robert Silverberg.

Published December 1971 but copyright 1972.

Publisher's Blurb – Jacket Flaps
Hear this, O Nobly-Born: life eternal we offer thee.

Thus opens a strange, long-forgotten manuscript, The Book of Skulls, which sends four college students on a quest for immortality that they know must leave two of them dead.

In astonishment, a brilliant young scholar. Eli. discovers and deciphers this strange book, which claims to offer a way to preserve one's mind and body against the ravages of age. Eli persuades his room-mates, Ned, Oliver and Timothy, to undertake the Trial with him, since four candidates are required. They set out for the Arizona desert, and find a sect called the Keepers of the Skulls living in a secluded compound called the Skullhouse.

They are already aware of the Ninth Mystery described by the Book of Skulls: that for two of them to achieve immortality. one of the others must willingly give up his life and one must be murdered by the survivors. Now they are told by the keepers of a Nineteenth Mystery not in the Book: that if any of them leaves once the four have committed themselves, the lives of those remaining are forfeit.

As the Trial proceeds, this brilliant novel gathers to a surprising and deeply moving climax.

Never has Robert Silverberg written such a gripping tale nor delved so masterfully into the hidden reaches of the human spirit.

ROBERT SILVERBERG is the author of many novels, including the Nebula and Hugo contending Tower of Glass, The Masks of Time, Son of Man, A Time of Changes and others, as well as numerous short stories. He has won two Hugo Awards and a Nebula and is a Past-President of the Science Fiction Writers of America.

Mr. Silverberg has also written several non-fiction books on historical and archaeological subjects, including The Pueblo Revolt, Mound Builders of Ancient America, The Challenge of Climate, and Lost Cities and Vanished Civilizations. Born and educated in New York City, the author lives there now with his wife, Barbara.