An accident propels the mind of the young astrophysicist John Martels 23,000 years into the future, the midsummer century. Note that according to this novel the mind is a complex self aware electromagnetic field. His mind emerges in the brain-case of a future being with a powerful mind, the so called Qvant.Human civilization has fallen & repeatedly risen. Both humans & birds have evolved. Birds have evolved into telepathic beings seeking to exterminate their main rivals: humans. Human descendants of the 250th century have paranormal powers but are death oriented & haven't developed an advanced civilization. They're not even interested in organized resistance. John Martel is thrust into a fight for the continued existence of his own mind as well as a fight for the existence of humanity and that without being able to use his own physical body.