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The Ninth Science Fiction Megapack: Classic and Modern Science Fiction
"The Ninth Science Fiction Megapack" contains 27 more works spanning time and space--including 24 stories, 2 interviews, and "A Science Fiction Alphabet." Fun stuff indeed! Included DAN SIMMONS, conducted by Darrell Schweitzer
THE SPIRES OF DENON, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A HOUND DOG, by Brenda W. Clough
FOR I AM A JEALOUS PEOPLE! by Lester del Rey
LUVVER, by Mack Reynolds
FROG LEVEL, by Bud Webster
CAPTAINS CONSPIRING AT THEIR MUTINIES, by Jay Lake
SHIFTING SEAS, by Stanley G. Weinbaum
THROUGH TIME AND SPACE WITH FERDINAND 8, by Grendel Briarton
ROCK GARDEN, by Kevin O'Donnell, Jr.
THE GENOA PASSAGE, by George Zebrowski
EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, by Ray Faraday Nelson
OVER THE TOP, by Lester del Rey
WHEN THEY COME FROM SPACE, by Mark Clifton
THE SEALED SKY, by Cynthia Ward
METEOR STRIKE! by Donald E. Westlake
WAITING FOR THE COIN TO DROP, by Dean Wesley Smith
BEYOND THE DARKNESS, by S. J. Byrne
THE SMALLEST GOD, by Lester del Rey
THE SCIENCE FICTION ALPHABET, by Allen Glasser
CANAL, by Carl Jacobi
THE LOCH MOOSE MONSTER, by Janet Kagan
MY FAIR PLANET, by Evelyn E. Smith
BEFORE EDEN, by Arthur C. Clarke
SEQUENCE, by Carl Jacobi
PREFERRED RISK, by Frederik Pohl and Lester del Rey
FREDERIK POHL, conducted by Darrell Schweitzer
If you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the more than 100 other entries in the series, covering science fiction, modern authors, mysteries, westerns, classics, adventure stories, and much, much more!
THE SPIRES OF DENON, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A HOUND DOG, by Brenda W. Clough
FOR I AM A JEALOUS PEOPLE! by Lester del Rey
LUVVER, by Mack Reynolds
FROG LEVEL, by Bud Webster
CAPTAINS CONSPIRING AT THEIR MUTINIES, by Jay Lake
SHIFTING SEAS, by Stanley G. Weinbaum
THROUGH TIME AND SPACE WITH FERDINAND 8, by Grendel Briarton
ROCK GARDEN, by Kevin O'Donnell, Jr.
THE GENOA PASSAGE, by George Zebrowski
EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, by Ray Faraday Nelson
OVER THE TOP, by Lester del Rey
WHEN THEY COME FROM SPACE, by Mark Clifton
THE SEALED SKY, by Cynthia Ward
METEOR STRIKE! by Donald E. Westlake
WAITING FOR THE COIN TO DROP, by Dean Wesley Smith
BEYOND THE DARKNESS, by S. J. Byrne
THE SMALLEST GOD, by Lester del Rey
THE SCIENCE FICTION ALPHABET, by Allen Glasser
CANAL, by Carl Jacobi
THE LOCH MOOSE MONSTER, by Janet Kagan
MY FAIR PLANET, by Evelyn E. Smith
BEFORE EDEN, by Arthur C. Clarke
SEQUENCE, by Carl Jacobi
PREFERRED RISK, by Frederik Pohl and Lester del Rey
FREDERIK POHL, conducted by Darrell Schweitzer
If you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the more than 100 other entries in the series, covering science fiction, modern authors, mysteries, westerns, classics, adventure stories, and much, much more!
939 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
148 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Arthur C. Clarke
1,648 books11.6k followersStories, works of noted British writer, scientist, and underwater explorer Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, include
2001: A Space Odyssey
(1968).
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.
Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.
He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 29, 2018
Contains several good stories, one or two not as interesting ones, and an interview with Frederick Pohl from 1998.
November 1, 2014
As soon as a new book in this series comes out, I buy it. That should tell you something right there. You get a lot of reading for just 99 cents for your Kindle and you can’t beat that. The Ninth Science Fiction Megapack (Amazon link) is here and I recommend it with reservations.
I’ve given most of the books in this series five stars, but this one I’m dropping to 4. There isn’t quite as much of a mix in different types of stories, and there seems to be a lot more of the older (1950’s to 1970’s) ones than usual. Still, for only a buck, you can’t lose.
Here’s a round-up of the better ones (sans plot-spoilers):
Near novel length, The Spires of Denon, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, concerns intrigue at an archeological dig on a distant world where, far in the future, descendants of Earth explore an old, abandoned human colony. There are secrets to be discovered, and some of them involve the participants, themselves. Typically excellent Rusch storytelling.
Ain’t Nothing But A Hound Dog, by Brenda W. Clough, relates what happens to one mail order business owner when he discovers that his best customer is…
Luvver, by Mack Reynolds. A pleasure craft makes an emergency landing on a quarantined world.
Frog Level, by Bud Webster. A student could learn a lot by hopping a freight train — with the right teacher.
Shifting Seas, by Stanley G. Weinbaum. Now we’re really talking climate change!
Rock Garden, by Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Searching for life in the asteroid belt, and a computer that understands English less than Siri does.
When They Come From Space, by Mark Clifton. Another novella, probably about 70,000 words long. As an editor, I would have cut about 5,000 of those. Nonetheless, this is a wonderfully cynical look at governmental bureaucracy, the control of media over politics, and an alien exploration committee that knows how to exploit both. My favorite quote from it (there are several) is: “You’re in the government now. First rule of government of the people, by the people, for the people: Never tell the people!”
Waiting For The Coin To Drop, by Dean Wesley Smith. Time travel for historians. Time travel for prisoners. What could go wrong?
Beyond The Darkness, by S. J. Byrne. Another version of the multigenerational star ship from Earth with a revolt against the ruling class. Pretty good, though the ending seems rushed and could have been expanded to make this a full length novel.
The Loch Moose Monster, by Janet Kagan, is my favorite story in this collection. Colonists on a planet “unpack” the “condensed” DNA samples from Earth and bring them to life. Well, it seemed a good idea at the time… Lots of fun, and I wish I could be there!
My Fair Planet, by Evelyn E. Smith. An alien hires an actor to instruct him on how to be human. I chuckled more than once while reading it.
My second favorite story here is Preferred Risk, by Frederik Pohl and Lester del Rey. Novel length, it was written many years ago, but thanks to Pohl’s skill, reads perfectly fine today. It’s also one of the few “action” stories in the book. What happens when one “company” runs the world? It controls every facet of your life, insuring your health, well being, and there’s still a bottom line to be met. Oh, and then disaster strikes! Typical Pohl at his best.
There’s also two good, in-depth interviews by Darrell Schweitzer of authors Dan Simmons and Frederik Pohl.
A handful of the stories are hopelessly ancient. For example: to read about plant and animal life on Mars when we know that there isn’t any. These should have been left out of the book. One example will suffice: Before Eden, by Arthur C. Clarke, takes place on Venus. Here’s a quote from the third chapter of the tale, discussing the weather: “The weather was fantastically clear, with visibility of almost a thousand yards.” I didn’t bother reading any further than that.
I want to mention one more story in the Ninth Science Fiction Megapack. It is For I Am A Jealous People, by Lester del Rey. This is an old, novella length retread of War of the Worlds, with a religious twist, and not a good one. The story itself isn’t bad and has some action in it. However, (and I say this as a non-religious person) the ending and premise will be deeply insulting to devout Christians and Jews. I’m not politically correct under anyone’s definition. However, I believe in playing fair, and I do believe that the media, writers, and in this case, editors, seem to feel that it is perfectly fine to beat-up on the Christian faith. That’s just wrong. If this story had been scornful of gays (for example) or women or African Americans, the outrage would be immediate. There was no legitimate reason to include it in this omnibus.
Having said all of that, this latest entry in the series is still a very good bargain. Lots of good reading for less than a cup of coffee. Buy it and have fun.
I’ve given most of the books in this series five stars, but this one I’m dropping to 4. There isn’t quite as much of a mix in different types of stories, and there seems to be a lot more of the older (1950’s to 1970’s) ones than usual. Still, for only a buck, you can’t lose.
Here’s a round-up of the better ones (sans plot-spoilers):
Near novel length, The Spires of Denon, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, concerns intrigue at an archeological dig on a distant world where, far in the future, descendants of Earth explore an old, abandoned human colony. There are secrets to be discovered, and some of them involve the participants, themselves. Typically excellent Rusch storytelling.
Ain’t Nothing But A Hound Dog, by Brenda W. Clough, relates what happens to one mail order business owner when he discovers that his best customer is…
Luvver, by Mack Reynolds. A pleasure craft makes an emergency landing on a quarantined world.
Frog Level, by Bud Webster. A student could learn a lot by hopping a freight train — with the right teacher.
Shifting Seas, by Stanley G. Weinbaum. Now we’re really talking climate change!
Rock Garden, by Kevin O’Donnell, Jr. Searching for life in the asteroid belt, and a computer that understands English less than Siri does.
When They Come From Space, by Mark Clifton. Another novella, probably about 70,000 words long. As an editor, I would have cut about 5,000 of those. Nonetheless, this is a wonderfully cynical look at governmental bureaucracy, the control of media over politics, and an alien exploration committee that knows how to exploit both. My favorite quote from it (there are several) is: “You’re in the government now. First rule of government of the people, by the people, for the people: Never tell the people!”
Waiting For The Coin To Drop, by Dean Wesley Smith. Time travel for historians. Time travel for prisoners. What could go wrong?
Beyond The Darkness, by S. J. Byrne. Another version of the multigenerational star ship from Earth with a revolt against the ruling class. Pretty good, though the ending seems rushed and could have been expanded to make this a full length novel.
The Loch Moose Monster, by Janet Kagan, is my favorite story in this collection. Colonists on a planet “unpack” the “condensed” DNA samples from Earth and bring them to life. Well, it seemed a good idea at the time… Lots of fun, and I wish I could be there!
My Fair Planet, by Evelyn E. Smith. An alien hires an actor to instruct him on how to be human. I chuckled more than once while reading it.
My second favorite story here is Preferred Risk, by Frederik Pohl and Lester del Rey. Novel length, it was written many years ago, but thanks to Pohl’s skill, reads perfectly fine today. It’s also one of the few “action” stories in the book. What happens when one “company” runs the world? It controls every facet of your life, insuring your health, well being, and there’s still a bottom line to be met. Oh, and then disaster strikes! Typical Pohl at his best.
There’s also two good, in-depth interviews by Darrell Schweitzer of authors Dan Simmons and Frederik Pohl.
A handful of the stories are hopelessly ancient. For example: to read about plant and animal life on Mars when we know that there isn’t any. These should have been left out of the book. One example will suffice: Before Eden, by Arthur C. Clarke, takes place on Venus. Here’s a quote from the third chapter of the tale, discussing the weather: “The weather was fantastically clear, with visibility of almost a thousand yards.” I didn’t bother reading any further than that.
I want to mention one more story in the Ninth Science Fiction Megapack. It is For I Am A Jealous People, by Lester del Rey. This is an old, novella length retread of War of the Worlds, with a religious twist, and not a good one. The story itself isn’t bad and has some action in it. However, (and I say this as a non-religious person) the ending and premise will be deeply insulting to devout Christians and Jews. I’m not politically correct under anyone’s definition. However, I believe in playing fair, and I do believe that the media, writers, and in this case, editors, seem to feel that it is perfectly fine to beat-up on the Christian faith. That’s just wrong. If this story had been scornful of gays (for example) or women or African Americans, the outrage would be immediate. There was no legitimate reason to include it in this omnibus.
Having said all of that, this latest entry in the series is still a very good bargain. Lots of good reading for less than a cup of coffee. Buy it and have fun.
July 28, 2023
Entertaining Sci-Fi listening 🎶🔰
Twenty five will written Science Fiction stories by various authors. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to each conclusion. As with all Megapack stories some you like better than others. I would recommend this Megapack to readers of fantasy Sci-Fi adventures novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒☺😮
Twenty five will written Science Fiction stories by various authors. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action and misdirection leading to each conclusion. As with all Megapack stories some you like better than others. I would recommend this Megapack to readers of fantasy Sci-Fi adventures novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒☺😮
April 20, 2018
Usually I give the books in this series 4 stars. This volume, I felt, leaned rather heavily toward novellas, and didn't have as many "golden age" short stories as I would have liked. The Pohl & del Rey story was particularly welcome, hadn't read a collaboration by these two before.
The Pohl interview was also a plus, I have greatly enjoyed the development of his style, and his comments on the current field were particularly cogent. I had the pleasure of exchanging emails with Pohl a few years ago, and can claim credit (with his approval) for suggesting Pohl's Second Law: "No one is ever ready for anything" (growing up, marriage, winning the lottery, etc.), from "Black Star Rising".
Nevertheless, an enjoyable read, with a good variety, and a welcome addition to my library at a bargain price.
The Pohl interview was also a plus, I have greatly enjoyed the development of his style, and his comments on the current field were particularly cogent. I had the pleasure of exchanging emails with Pohl a few years ago, and can claim credit (with his approval) for suggesting Pohl's Second Law: "No one is ever ready for anything" (growing up, marriage, winning the lottery, etc.), from "Black Star Rising".
Nevertheless, an enjoyable read, with a good variety, and a welcome addition to my library at a bargain price.
April 15, 2019
This is my first Megapack and I was pretty pleased. All of these short stories and novellas are reprints from other sources and I was surprised to have read a couple of them before as most of the stories are pretty old and it seems like quite a few of the authors passed away some time ago. The types of science fiction stories in this collection are quite varied and cover everything from colonies on other planets to time travel to a long pun (which was kind of a groaner). Some of the stories are a little dated, but overall I found them good reads and I have already started the time travel megapack.
June 28, 2017
Just so-so
The first story, The Spires of Denon, is about an ancient city on another planet, and the archeologists who are uncovering it.
It's part sci-fi, part detective fiction.
Before Eden, by Arthur C. Clark is an interesting and cautionary tale.
The rest of the stories weren't really worthy, although The Smallest God, by Lester del Rey, which I'd read years ago is very amusing. And The Loch Moose Monster was funny.
Results: ok for$.99, but not one of my favorites.
The first story, The Spires of Denon, is about an ancient city on another planet, and the archeologists who are uncovering it.
It's part sci-fi, part detective fiction.
Before Eden, by Arthur C. Clark is an interesting and cautionary tale.
The rest of the stories weren't really worthy, although The Smallest God, by Lester del Rey, which I'd read years ago is very amusing. And The Loch Moose Monster was funny.
Results: ok for$.99, but not one of my favorites.
Read
August 15, 2021Eight O' Clock In The Morning
This volume includes more great stories by some of the best writers in science fiction. The highlight of this volume is Eight O' Clock In The Morning which became the basis for John Carpenter's They Live. It's a bit different from the movie but still enjoyable even if you never seen the movie.
This volume includes more great stories by some of the best writers in science fiction. The highlight of this volume is Eight O' Clock In The Morning which became the basis for John Carpenter's They Live. It's a bit different from the movie but still enjoyable even if you never seen the movie.
June 1, 2017
Für den unschlagbaren Preis gut, ein paar nette Geschichten, in denen die Verfangenheit in der damaligenKultur deutlich wird, ein paar eher langweilige Geschichten (überspringen!) und ein sehr gutes Interview mit Dan Simmons.
April 13, 2018
Some good some not so good
NOT my type of science fiction and fantasy. Too many fill in words. I like to read the story not about the color of the room
NOT my type of science fiction and fantasy. Too many fill in words. I like to read the story not about the color of the room
September 17, 2016
I am really enjoying this Science Fiction Megapack, It has some great short stories in and all for 79p , it has over 20 and most of them are brilliant I found 2 that I was not so bothered about but it is horses for courses and some one else may like them so over all I decided to give this 4 stars great value for money, will be buying more of these.
Plus they do these short story's in other Genres ie Ghost story's, Mystery's , Time Travel, Fantasy, you usually get about 20 story's per book, which is brilliant value for money.
Plus they do these short story's in other Genres ie Ghost story's, Mystery's , Time Travel, Fantasy, you usually get about 20 story's per book, which is brilliant value for money.
Currently reading
July 14, 2024"The Sealed Sky" by Cynthia Ward - After Lantry's wife dies in a space accident he attempts to frustrate his son Kyle's desire to go to space but the boy's desire is too great.
"Sequence" by Carl Jacobi - Carston suspects strangers of being aliens when they tell him that they hail from Earth as well.
"Before Eden" by Arthur C. Clarke - Astronauts unintentionally contaminate Venusian life with their refuse.
"Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog" by Brenda W. Clough - wc
"For I Am a Jealous People!" by Lester del Rey - wc
"Frog Level" by Bud Webster - wc
"Sequence" by Carl Jacobi - Carston suspects strangers of being aliens when they tell him that they hail from Earth as well.
"Before Eden" by Arthur C. Clarke - Astronauts unintentionally contaminate Venusian life with their refuse.
"Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog" by Brenda W. Clough - wc
"For I Am a Jealous People!" by Lester del Rey - wc
"Frog Level" by Bud Webster - wc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2016
A very mixed bag. Some really excellent stories, some distinctly second rate. Overall, though, a very interesting mix of styles and ideas.
June 6, 2016
Was okay, kinda hit and miss, but worth the journey. I'm a sucker for these big anthologies so I'm sure I'll be back for more.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews