Remembering the name of a scifi book

November 11, 2009 9:34 PM

I'm trying to remember the name of a sci-fi book. I read it like 10 years ago, so my memory of it's a bit fuzzy. One of the major topics was something about the religion of science. I remember a guy who was able to trick people, a traveling salesman of sorts, who sold someone a machine that turned lead into gold. The machine actually worked, but would stop working after he got away with his money. I don't *think* I'm imagining this book, but who knows...
posted by Political Funny Man to grab bag (5 comments total)

Hmm... That reminds me of one of the stories in Asimov's Foundation, "The Traders".
posted by JiBB at 10:35 PM on November 11 [1 favorite]

Bastard JiBB, that's exactly what I was going to say.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 10:56 PM on November 11

Now I read this a very long time ago and my memory is weak, but could it be Stations of the Tide by Michael Swanwick?
posted by rtimmel at 9:42 AM on November 12

I'm pretty sure that JiBB is right and this is part of The Foundation series.
posted by fyrebelley at 2:36 PM on November 12

Nice! I think that's the one. Thanks to JiBB and the rest of ya!
posted by Political Funny Man at 5:09 PM on November 12