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The Second Philip K. Dick Megapack: 13 Fantastic Stories
The Second Philip K. Dick MEGAPACK collects 13 more rare stories by the classic science fiction author. Included in this volume THE UNRECONSTRUCTED M
SALES PITCH
SHELL GAME
BREAKFAST AT TWILIGHT
ADJUSTMENT TEAM
FOSTER, YOU'RE DEAD
THE CRAWLERS
THE GOLDEN MAN
THE LAST OF THE MASTERS
THE TURNING WHEEL
UPON THE DULL EARTH
HUMAN IS
MEDDLER
If you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the 200+ other entries in the series, covering science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, westerns, classics, adventure stories, and much, much more!"
SALES PITCH
SHELL GAME
BREAKFAST AT TWILIGHT
ADJUSTMENT TEAM
FOSTER, YOU'RE DEAD
THE CRAWLERS
THE GOLDEN MAN
THE LAST OF THE MASTERS
THE TURNING WHEEL
UPON THE DULL EARTH
HUMAN IS
MEDDLER
If you enjoy this book, search your favorite ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see the 200+ other entries in the series, covering science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, westerns, classics, adventure stories, and much, much more!"
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2015
171 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Philip K. Dick
2,007 books22.4k followersPhilip Kindred Dick was a prolific American science fiction author whose work has had a lasting impact on literature, cinema, and popular culture. Known for his imaginative narratives and profound philosophical themes, Dick explored the nature of reality, the boundaries of human identity, and the impact of technology and authoritarianism on society. His stories often blurred the line between the real and the artificial, challenging readers to question their perceptions and beliefs.
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 20, 2017
OK,maybe it deserves a fifth star; let's say 4.5.
There are several gems: "Human Is" uses an alien identity switch to examine the psychology of marriage and true humanity. (Incidentally, it will be one of ten Dick tales included in a soon-to-launch TV series, "Electric Dreams: The World of Philip K. Dick.") "Upon the Dull Earth" is as wracking a horror story as you'll ever encounter, taking fantasy almost beyond the bearable.
"Sales Pitch" turns interplanetary travel and aggressive robotic advertising into an hilarious spoof on office routine and suburban life. "The Unreconstructed M" is a clever, complicated SF mystery story. Such a sad, heartfelt tale of childhood dreams betrayed is "Foster, You're Dead."
As for that lost half-star: Too many of the stories, even ones with a terrific premise, needed editing they didn't get. In others, Dick seems to have lost interest in the story or the characters and lets the whole thing poop out: "Breakfast at Twilight" features a family (father, mother, two kids) who are sucked into the future by a bombardment intended to annihilate their war-ruined city. Later, in their ruined basement, all four are returned to the present – well it should have been all four, but Dick seems to have forgotten the kids. They just ain't there.
There are several gems: "Human Is" uses an alien identity switch to examine the psychology of marriage and true humanity. (Incidentally, it will be one of ten Dick tales included in a soon-to-launch TV series, "Electric Dreams: The World of Philip K. Dick.") "Upon the Dull Earth" is as wracking a horror story as you'll ever encounter, taking fantasy almost beyond the bearable.
"Sales Pitch" turns interplanetary travel and aggressive robotic advertising into an hilarious spoof on office routine and suburban life. "The Unreconstructed M" is a clever, complicated SF mystery story. Such a sad, heartfelt tale of childhood dreams betrayed is "Foster, You're Dead."
As for that lost half-star: Too many of the stories, even ones with a terrific premise, needed editing they didn't get. In others, Dick seems to have lost interest in the story or the characters and lets the whole thing poop out: "Breakfast at Twilight" features a family (father, mother, two kids) who are sucked into the future by a bombardment intended to annihilate their war-ruined city. Later, in their ruined basement, all four are returned to the present – well it should have been all four, but Dick seems to have forgotten the kids. They just ain't there.
April 19, 2021
2.5 stars - Reading so many of PKD’s early stories back-to-back, they really vary in quality and gosh are they bleak! The ones I liked the best are the ones with more complexity and/or a faint sliver of “life, the future and/or humans aren’t just awful”, i.e. the ones which don’t just lead to a bleak punchline... of which there are some but not enough. I suspect the collection, as a whole, are a result of the cultural moment, the kinds of stories that got published at that time, and PKD’s struggles with emotional well-being.
February 26, 2018
Ahead of his time
These stories of PKD's are clever and compelling. Unlike many tales from the 1950s, these look beyond the social conventions of the time. Not all the women are secretaries; not all the people are WASPs, and not all the aliens are reptiles. A refreshing sampler of his unique talents, with some interesting moments of prescience (he imagines a wristband with a personal navigation system, for example). Highly recommended.
These stories of PKD's are clever and compelling. Unlike many tales from the 1950s, these look beyond the social conventions of the time. Not all the women are secretaries; not all the people are WASPs, and not all the aliens are reptiles. A refreshing sampler of his unique talents, with some interesting moments of prescience (he imagines a wristband with a personal navigation system, for example). Highly recommended.
October 28, 2017
Cele mai multe povesti din cartea asta sunt de la inceputul carierei sale. Temele clasice ale lui PKD: calatoria in timp, contactul cu alte civilizatii, angoase legate de razboi nuclear, extinctia umana etc. Un read familiar pentru fani.
June 28, 2018
Another collection of Dick's 1950's magazine stories. Given the times, there a lot of Cold War/nuclear fear in these tales, as well as one direct shot across the bow of the founder of Scientology. Good stuff that keeps you intrigued through each story.
September 10, 2018
Wonderful imagination
A wide ranging cornucopia of future views, some fearful some about human frailty. And a few a little predictable ... but all enjoyable. His imagination is a constant surprise.
A wide ranging cornucopia of future views, some fearful some about human frailty. And a few a little predictable ... but all enjoyable. His imagination is a constant surprise.
July 17, 2021
The only things that gives away the age of these stories are people smoking, especially pipes and the use of the word slag. These are very good precise stories about human nature and the kind of humanity we posses. Well worth a read.
April 30, 2018
I love PKD books and this mega book pack was a great read.
March 3, 2019
Sci fi with imagination
Totally enjoyed this is old school science fiction that i personally love.
They don't write them like this anymore more's the shame.
Totally enjoyed this is old school science fiction that i personally love.
They don't write them like this anymore more's the shame.
May 12, 2019
what can you say about Phillip k Dick? The man is considered a classic for good reason. Clever stories which explore ideas of who we are and what we can achieve.
March 31, 2020
Great book. Big story's in 1 chapter.
February 10, 2021
Some good stories. Misogyny of the 1950s.
August 11, 2025
Good old Science Fiction stories
Entertaining to read stories written in the
1950's about what they thought the future might be. I like Philip K Dicks writing.
Entertaining to read stories written in the
1950's about what they thought the future might be. I like Philip K Dicks writing.
February 15, 2017
I'm getting too old for these - they seem very dated
January 9, 2020
So second re-read (Dec 19 - 09/01/20) of this fabulous colllection of PKD. harder to pick any stellar stories from this collection versus the 'MegaPack 1' collection.
Certainly, 'Medler' and 'Human Is' were great coda's sgain revisting PKD themes of man's want to control that which he does not understand and what it is to be human respectively.
Worthy of a (re)-read!
Certainly, 'Medler' and 'Human Is' were great coda's sgain revisting PKD themes of man's want to control that which he does not understand and what it is to be human respectively.
Worthy of a (re)-read!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews