I am bummed out. I first read The Witling by Vernor Vinge in the early 1980's while in high school. I have read every novel and most of his short stories/novellas since then. I have reread most of his books at least once if not more. I am currently rereading The Peace War, Time to break out my paperback of the The Witling that is falling apart and read it again in tribute to VV.