# Please help me figure out what this book was (kind of vague and long) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-figure-out-what-this-book-was-kind-of-vague-and-long/502607 "2009-07-10T20:52:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-figure-out-what-this-book-was-kind-of-vague-and-long/502607/1 "2009-07-10T20:52:16Z")
At least eight years ago (exact time unremembered) I read an interesting sci-fi novel whose name and author I cannot remember. Normally I save my books, but I got this one at a thrift store and it fell apart while I was reading it and it got tossed. Basic plot, going from distant memory: A ancient giant warship is discovered. The warship has the DNA codes of every known creature in the universe and the tools needed to combine them to form any creature imaginable for any purpose. The captain of the ship that found it is the only survivor of the ship’s bio and mechanical security. IIRC, the captain was hired to get the his crew/employers to the ship. He takes control of the ship and goes to different planets,offering to use the ship’s resources to help with whatever global problem they’re having. His “solutions” usually create more (short term) problems, but after several rounds of his “help,” thing end up better in the long run, even if his clients don’t initially agree. IIRC, the book is divided into six different sub-sections; a preface, four sub-sections of several chapters about the four planets he helped, and an after word. I’ve read so many books that forgetting the title and author normally wouldn’t bug me, but I think my nine year-old daughter would love it. I’ve spent three hours googling every combination I can think of; please help. Thx-e\_s ---
**Author:** ![Scruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Scruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruff)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-figure-out-what-this-book-was-kind-of-vague-and-long/502607/2 "2009-07-10T21:01:29Z")
Are you thinking of [Tuf Voyaging](http://www.amazon.com/Tuf-Voyaging-George-R-Martin/dp/1592220045) by George R.R. Martin > [@](#): > > This “novel” brings together a decade’s worth of stories about Haviland Tuf, an honest but thoroughly small-time interstellar trader who happens to acquire a centuries-old and miles-long seed-ship of the once powerful Earth Ecological Corps. Originally a deadly weapon, it alone preserves the secrets of a now-forgotten science and still functions well enough to create, gene-splice and clone any of a myriad species of plant and animal, both benevolent and destructive. The eccentric but ethical Tuf now styles himself an ecological engineer and wields his ship’s treasures to solve the problems plaguing farflung settlements, from famine to sea serpents. These colorful tales mostly skirt the more interesting and prickly issue of Tuf’s playing god to fundamentally change the cultures he encounters. Still, the seed-ship is a wonderful idea and Tuf, protecting his pet cats from the charge they are useless “vermin,” is a droll hero. ---
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-figure-out-what-this-book-was-kind-of-vague-and-long/502607/3 "2009-07-10T21:24:54Z")
OMG, it’s George R.R. Martin?!? No wonder I couldn’t find it. I kind of thought it was a little known author. Thanks for finding it. An ale (or beverage of your choice) will be sacrificed in your name, my oldest cheese head will be delighted, Amazon’s getting an order, and (when I catch her up at two AM reading it,) your name will be cursed…but with love and respect. thx-e\_s