The Dragon Masters is a Hugo Award winning science fiction novella. It is one of Vance’s most popular and frequently reprinted works. The story describes a small group of humans living in a valley on the planet Aerlith who have been at war with the 'Basics' (aliens who resemble lizards) for as long as they can remember.

The Last Castle is a science fiction novella by Jack Vance, first published in 1966. It won the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 1966 and the Hugo Award for Best Novella in 1967. The story is set on a far-future Earth where a small population of humans live in highly automated castles, served by alien 'Meks'. When the Meks revolt, the humans must find a way to survive without their technology.