It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since Consider Phlebas, the very first Culture novel by Iain M. Banks, was published. Since that faithful day in 1987, Banks has released ten Culture books, making this a double anniversary: 10 books and 25 years! I consider this the best science fiction series currently running, with at least one or two of its installments on my personal all-time-favorite SF list. (I reviewed The Hydrogen Sonata, which is the latest addition to the series, here.)

To help celebrate a quarter century of brilliant SF, Orbit has generously offered a copy of the beautiful new box set including the first three novels in the Culture series (Consider Phlebas, The Player of Games and Use of Weapons) to give away to one lucky reader in the US or Canada. Orbit also has a fascinating interview with the author on its site.

To enter, simply send an email with subject line “CULTURE” to fbrgiveaway AT gmail DOT com with your full name and mailing address. One entry per person, please: multiple entries will result in immediate disqualification, but please feel free to tell your friends! Please note again that this giveaway is limited to the US and Canada.

The giveaway will end on Tuesday, December 4th at 11:59 PM, and I’ll announce the winners the following day. Void where prohibited by law, rules are subject to change, harmful when swallowed, batteries not included.