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Golden Age of Science Fiction MEGAPACK
The Second Golden Age of Science Fiction Megapack
Mark Clifton (1906-1963) was an American science fiction writer, the co-winner of the first Hugo Award for best novel (for THEY'D RATHER BE RIGHT, written with Frank Riley). This volume assembles some of Clifton's very best work -- including THEY'D RATHER BE STAR BRIGHT (1952)
THE KENZIE REPORT (1953)
WE'RE CIVILIZED!
SENSE FROM THOUGHT DIVIDE (1955)
A WOMAN'S PLACE (1955)
DO UNTO OTHERS (1958)
THEY'D RATHER BE RIGHT (1958)
WHAT NOW, LITTLE MAN? (1959)
EIGHT KEYS TO EDEN (1960)
And if you enjoy this volume, don't forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see more entries in this great series, covering science fiction, fantasy, horror, mysteries, westerns, classics -- and much, much more!
THE KENZIE REPORT (1953)
WE'RE CIVILIZED!
SENSE FROM THOUGHT DIVIDE (1955)
A WOMAN'S PLACE (1955)
DO UNTO OTHERS (1958)
THEY'D RATHER BE RIGHT (1958)
WHAT NOW, LITTLE MAN? (1959)
EIGHT KEYS TO EDEN (1960)
And if you enjoy this volume, don't forget to search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see more entries in this great series, covering science fiction, fantasy, horror, mysteries, westerns, classics -- and much, much more!
523 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
96 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Mark Clifton
95 books10 followersMark Irwin Clifton (1906 - Nov. 1963) was an American science fiction writer. Clifton began publishing in May of 1952 with the often anthologized story "What Have I Done?".
Most of his work fits into one of two series. The "Bossy" sequence was written alone, and in collaboration with both Alex Apostolides and Frank Riley. The "Ralph Kennedy" series, which is lighter in tone, was mostly written solo, including the novel "When They Come From Space", although there was one collaboration with Apostolides.
Clifton gained his greatest success with his novel They'd Rather Be Right (a.k.a. The Forever Machine), co-written with Riley, which was serialized in Astounding in 1954 and went on to win the Hugo Award, perhaps the most contentious novel ever to win the award.
Clifton is also known today for his short story "Star, Bright", his first of three appearances in Horace Gold's Galaxy (July 1952), about a super-intelligent toddler with psi abilities. From Clifton's correspondence we know that Gold "editorially savaged" the story, which appeared in severely truncated or altered form. The story has been compared favorably to Kuttner and Moore's "Mimsy Were the Borogoves", which was published in Astounding nine years earlier.
Clifton worked as a personnel manager during his life and interviewed close to 100,000 people. This experience formed much of Clifton's attitude about the delusions people entertain of themselves, but also the greatness of which they are capable.
Most of his work fits into one of two series. The "Bossy" sequence was written alone, and in collaboration with both Alex Apostolides and Frank Riley. The "Ralph Kennedy" series, which is lighter in tone, was mostly written solo, including the novel "When They Come From Space", although there was one collaboration with Apostolides.
Clifton gained his greatest success with his novel They'd Rather Be Right (a.k.a. The Forever Machine), co-written with Riley, which was serialized in Astounding in 1954 and went on to win the Hugo Award, perhaps the most contentious novel ever to win the award.
Clifton is also known today for his short story "Star, Bright", his first of three appearances in Horace Gold's Galaxy (July 1952), about a super-intelligent toddler with psi abilities. From Clifton's correspondence we know that Gold "editorially savaged" the story, which appeared in severely truncated or altered form. The story has been compared favorably to Kuttner and Moore's "Mimsy Were the Borogoves", which was published in Astounding nine years earlier.
Clifton worked as a personnel manager during his life and interviewed close to 100,000 people. This experience formed much of Clifton's attitude about the delusions people entertain of themselves, but also the greatness of which they are capable.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this collection of Mark Clifton's work. I had never heard of him. It really makes me want to try the rest of the "Golden Age of Science Fiction" series. Clifton -- as I judge him by the philosophy he smuggles into his science fiction -- sounds like somebody I'd really like. My favorite stories were the shorter "The Kenzie Report" and "Do Unto Others".
Star Bright (1952)
A story of a bright man who has an even brighter daughter. A very interesting take on time travel.
The Kenzie Report (1953)
If we communicated with the ants (or even the termites), what would it mean? What would we find out?
We're Civilized! Written with Alex Apostolides
This one was wonderful! I loved the ending! Serves us right!
Sense From Thought Divide (1955)
An entertaining story of psi and fakers.
A Woman's Place
I really liked this one. It really shows that Clifton was no misogynist, like most men in the 1950s (or today for that matter).
Do Unto Others (1958)
A fun story. It really shows the author's love of irony.
They'd Rather Be Right (1958) [Part 1]
Clifton won the 1959 Hugo Award for this one. Part 1 is really just a build up to I guess the main part of the story. Not as enjoyable as the earlier books in the collection. But maybe Part 2 will really get it going.
They'd Rather Be Right (1958) [Part 2]
Story is picking up nicely. But it feels rather like a moral or a parable for a truth the author is trying to get at. Also, the story is missing the irony and humor of previous works.
They'd Rather Be Right (1958) [Part 3]
Last part of the story. It wrapped really nicely and even ended in a soliloquy which naturally wrapped up my own personal beliefs re: science & faith.
"There is not now, there never has been any real issue between science and faith. Both strive for the same identical goal; both seek comprehension; both wish to benefit man that he live happier, healthier, more harmoniously with himself and his neighbors. Man seeks to comprehend, the understand the forces which govern his life. The sometimes apparently different paths taken by science and faith are of no consequence in comparison with man's yearning to know."
What Now, Little Man? (1959)
A little parable about the evils of slavery and colonialism.
Eight Keys to Eden (1960)
Another story featuring the idea that for man to progress he must leave behind many of his preconceptions and philosophies. Clifton puts forward the idea of the "me and mine" philosophy. The first part of the story is just set up as far as I can see, it puts forward where human civilization gets to. The second part is a sort of first contact story, but set forward in Clifton's unique way.
Star Bright (1952)
A story of a bright man who has an even brighter daughter. A very interesting take on time travel.
The Kenzie Report (1953)
If we communicated with the ants (or even the termites), what would it mean? What would we find out?
We're Civilized! Written with Alex Apostolides
This one was wonderful! I loved the ending! Serves us right!
Sense From Thought Divide (1955)
An entertaining story of psi and fakers.
A Woman's Place
I really liked this one. It really shows that Clifton was no misogynist, like most men in the 1950s (or today for that matter).
Do Unto Others (1958)
A fun story. It really shows the author's love of irony.
They'd Rather Be Right (1958) [Part 1]
Clifton won the 1959 Hugo Award for this one. Part 1 is really just a build up to I guess the main part of the story. Not as enjoyable as the earlier books in the collection. But maybe Part 2 will really get it going.
They'd Rather Be Right (1958) [Part 2]
Story is picking up nicely. But it feels rather like a moral or a parable for a truth the author is trying to get at. Also, the story is missing the irony and humor of previous works.
They'd Rather Be Right (1958) [Part 3]
Last part of the story. It wrapped really nicely and even ended in a soliloquy which naturally wrapped up my own personal beliefs re: science & faith.
"There is not now, there never has been any real issue between science and faith. Both strive for the same identical goal; both seek comprehension; both wish to benefit man that he live happier, healthier, more harmoniously with himself and his neighbors. Man seeks to comprehend, the understand the forces which govern his life. The sometimes apparently different paths taken by science and faith are of no consequence in comparison with man's yearning to know."
What Now, Little Man? (1959)
A little parable about the evils of slavery and colonialism.
Eight Keys to Eden (1960)
Another story featuring the idea that for man to progress he must leave behind many of his preconceptions and philosophies. Clifton puts forward the idea of the "me and mine" philosophy. The first part of the story is just set up as far as I can see, it puts forward where human civilization gets to. The second part is a sort of first contact story, but set forward in Clifton's unique way.
March 17, 2021
This is a collection of stories written in the 50s. Classic sci-fi with space travel and/or psychological stuff (ESP and the like). It is, as they say, "a product of its time" in particular is its attitude to women. (Particularly horrifying in this respect: the short story "A woman's place")
February 19, 2018
A delightful collection of old school sci-fi short stories and novellas by the Hugo Award-winning Mark Clifton. I was looking for a copy of the Hugo winning 'They'd Rather be Right' which I found as part of this pack. Reading a selection like this gives a much better overview of the authour's style than a single novel may do, and a feel a little more disposed towards him and his 1950s style sexism after reading a little more widely of his work.
The central theme woven through the collection was psi talent and it's intersection with sci-fi. Clearly, at the time, the next big thing in science was the hopeful discovery of human evolution towards psionic powers. More modern sci-fi just assumes we will implant computer-based communication chips in our brain to achieve the same. Either way, it remains an enduring theme in science that although we may advance our machines to other worlds and places, what we really long for is to advance the communication and understanding between people.
Well worth a read, for the stories as well as the social history they reveal.
The central theme woven through the collection was psi talent and it's intersection with sci-fi. Clearly, at the time, the next big thing in science was the hopeful discovery of human evolution towards psionic powers. More modern sci-fi just assumes we will implant computer-based communication chips in our brain to achieve the same. Either way, it remains an enduring theme in science that although we may advance our machines to other worlds and places, what we really long for is to advance the communication and understanding between people.
Well worth a read, for the stories as well as the social history they reveal.
August 19, 2018
I really wanted to be wowed by this, as both Clifton and I are (or, in his case, were) science fiction-writing Human Resources professionals. The first story is a cracker, but as you move through the anthology there’s a sense of the stories gaining fat, but not meat, ending up preachy, verbose and tell not show. On the plus side, there are some ambitious ideas being put forward, maybe even untellable ones, but I’m not convinced the stories are good enough vehicles. All in all, a curio that tells you more about the morals and mores of the Fifties than anything else.
July 25, 2020
I had read “They’d Rather Be Right” and wanted to get more of a feel for Clifton’s writings so I picked this up. Overall I found his short stories to be really fantastic but “Eight Keys to Eden” and “They’d Rather Be Right” can be a bit dense to read through. They have great themes and are interesting stories, the writing itself is a bit thick.
June 29, 2022
Wonderful entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰
The Second Golden Age of Science Fiction Megapack - Nine novels and novellas of fantasy Sci-Fi by Mark Clifton. Each story is stand alone with interesting characters and conclusion as with all box 📦 sets some are better than others. I would recommend this Megapack to readers of fantasy Sci-Fi adventures thriller novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye damage and health issues. 2022
The Second Golden Age of Science Fiction Megapack - Nine novels and novellas of fantasy Sci-Fi by Mark Clifton. Each story is stand alone with interesting characters and conclusion as with all box 📦 sets some are better than others. I would recommend this Megapack to readers of fantasy Sci-Fi adventures thriller novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye damage and health issues. 2022
September 18, 2018
Deeper,fuller,sweeter. It takes time to puzzle through the depth of this one.That makes the success of the hero's much sweeter.
Would not recommend to the impatient or action oriented. If your time is limited, don't start. But yes, it is really good
Would not recommend to the impatient or action oriented. If your time is limited, don't start. But yes, it is really good
November 1, 2021
Non conoscevo Mark Clifton, e devo dire che sono rimasto piacevolmente colpito da questa raccolta.
Ottima fantascienza di stampo "classico", ma inaspettatamente filosofica.
Bello in particolare "WHAT NOW, LITTLE MAN?", un po' troppo dispersivi invece i romanzi brevi.
Ottima fantascienza di stampo "classico", ma inaspettatamente filosofica.
Bello in particolare "WHAT NOW, LITTLE MAN?", un po' troppo dispersivi invece i romanzi brevi.
September 15, 2017
These are always good value, well worth the money plenty of short stories for any Science Fiction fan.
December 7, 2017
Excellent collection of works. Very creative.
February 3, 2025
WOW ! !
Great philosophical ideas in these stories. I highly recommend this anthology. Why do I need to add 9 more words ?
Great philosophical ideas in these stories. I highly recommend this anthology. Why do I need to add 9 more words ?
March 4, 2018
This is a compilation of works by Mark Clifton (1906-1963) was an American science fiction writer, the co-winner of the first ever Hugo Award for best novel. This is classical SF at its best (and worst). Among the worst such notions that Mobius is described in physics’ book, multi-value physics, people aging and being sick only due to psychosomatic forces.
A lot of interesting but rather naïve ideas, ESP, strange aliens, mad scientists, etc. one of the main themes is that academic science is ossified, unable to adopt to new ideas.
STAR BRIGHT – a short story about super bright little girl 5/5
THE KENZIE REPORT – we want to contact minds on other planets but don’t try to contact life under our feet, like ants. 5/5
WE'RE CIVILIZED! – what being civilized mean? 2/5
SENSE FROM THOUGHT DIVIDE – call for more holistic picture of the world. 2/5
A WOMAN'S PLACE – ‘healing’ a feminist by sending her to a place, where her ‘womanness’ is paramount or survival. 3/5
DO UNTO OTHERS – prudish matrons decide to make aliens more civilized by dressing them up 4/5
THEY'D RATHER BE RIGHT – a telepath seeks for a related soul and builds AI. 4/5
WHAT NOW, LITTLE MAN? – allegory to racism 4/5
EIGHT KEYS TO EDEN – a new colony named Eden, idyllic place where nothing bad can happen stops contacting authorities 4/5
A lot of interesting but rather naïve ideas, ESP, strange aliens, mad scientists, etc. one of the main themes is that academic science is ossified, unable to adopt to new ideas.
STAR BRIGHT – a short story about super bright little girl 5/5
THE KENZIE REPORT – we want to contact minds on other planets but don’t try to contact life under our feet, like ants. 5/5
WE'RE CIVILIZED! – what being civilized mean? 2/5
SENSE FROM THOUGHT DIVIDE – call for more holistic picture of the world. 2/5
A WOMAN'S PLACE – ‘healing’ a feminist by sending her to a place, where her ‘womanness’ is paramount or survival. 3/5
DO UNTO OTHERS – prudish matrons decide to make aliens more civilized by dressing them up 4/5
THEY'D RATHER BE RIGHT – a telepath seeks for a related soul and builds AI. 4/5
WHAT NOW, LITTLE MAN? – allegory to racism 4/5
EIGHT KEYS TO EDEN – a new colony named Eden, idyllic place where nothing bad can happen stops contacting authorities 4/5
April 15, 2016
Don't Miss It!
I got this megapack because I hadn't heard of the author, and I'm glad I did. This is a book of ideas, and quite worthy of its golden title.
I got this megapack because I hadn't heard of the author, and I'm glad I did. This is a book of ideas, and quite worthy of its golden title.
Read
January 28, 2018Great collection of classic sci-fi, anyone who likes this kind of adventure should have this in their collection.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews