Space: 1975: Space Opera Stories with a 1970s Twist

by Robert Jeschonek (Editor), Marc Zicree, Dean Smith

The 1970s are back! What better decade to inspire a new anthology of space opera stories than the one that gave birth to a certain epic set long ago, in a galaxy far, far away?

Every story in this new book will feature the distinctive style of the 70s, transported to thrilling new worlds, fleets, and conflicts in the farthest and most exciting reaches of the universe. Groove to tales of cosmic heroes in bellbottoms and platform shoes…alien ships like glittering mirror balls…soundtracks of gritty soul, disco, and hard rock. You'll find everything from kung fu fighting to streetwise private dicks…all souped up with incredible ray gun/rocketship action brought to sizzling life by some of the most talented scifi scribes of today and tomorrow.

Blast off with this galaxy of stories by a Star Trek screenwriter, a Nebula Award winner, comic book superstars, New York Times bestsellers, indie publishing giants, and more! Buckle up for the latest dazzling adventures by Marc Scott Zicree, Dean Wesley Smith, Cat Rambo, Peter David, Ian Douglas, Robert Jeschonek, Craig Martelle, Blaze Ward, Ron Collins, Annie Reed, Mike Baron, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, and Jim Gotaas ...plus an introduction by the one and only Barbara Bain, who played Dr. Helena Russell on classic 70s scifi TV series 1999 .

Genres: Short Stories, Anthologies, Science Fiction, Space Opera

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2021

About the author

also Robert T. Jeschonek

Reviews

[Tony Calder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went in on the Kickstarter for this book a couple of years ago, but I haven't get around to reading it until now. Like most anthologies, it contains a variety of stories and styles, and not every story is likely to appeal to every reader. Overall though, I think the standard is pretty good.

The theme of this anthology is as the title describes - stories told in the style of 1970s sci-fi. Sci-fi in the 70s didn't really have a single style, just as it doesn't today - or, really, anytime in between. And these stories do represent a variety of styles, many of which do feel as though they could have been written in the 70s.

The opening few stories do seem to have taken their inspiration from some of the silliness of sci-fi TV of the 70s, and I was starting to get a little bored with the constant irreverence. Then I reached "Bringing Down the Mona Lisa" by Ian Douglas, and I was immediately engaged again. It remains, in my opinion, the best of the bunch, although Craig Martelle, Annie Reed, and Dean Wesley Smith all contributed excellent stories, and Peter David's Star Wars / Star Trek homage "Push Comes to Shove" was a lot of fun.

[Shania Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of stories is perfect for anyone who loves the sci-fi genre, or anyone with a new interest in it. As a person not well versed in sci-fi, the introduction was really engaging, and it got me excited to begin reading the rest of the book. If the aesthetics of the 1970s interest you, and if you love reading about space adventures, alien encounters, and even crime fighting, then this book will be a very fun read. The stories are all fairly short, and once you begin reading you can't help but continue. This is definitely a book you could read in one sitting.
Personally, I really enjoyed the comedic elements of this book (See "Death By Disco Vacuum In Space Really Sucks" in all its fun, bizarre, and hilarious glory). This story's finishing line, "In space, no one can hear you clean," will definitely be one I will be mentioning to my friends.
Overall, I thought this book was such a fun read, and quick as well. You get your fill of adventure, aliens, humor, suspense, and not to mention the fact that all of these elements are interwoven with the entire decade of the 70s.

[Tom Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is inspired by the combination of space opera and the 1970s. In some cases, the literal 1970s are part of the stories, in other cases the stories reflect the style of 1970s space opera. As is the case with short story anthologies in general, the quality of the stories is mixed, but there is enough here that fans of the genre should be overall entertained by the collection. I personally found the stories which humorously commented on the era to be great fun, in particular Peter David's "Star Wars vs. Star Trek" tale. Others were more serious yet retained a sense of fun, such as Dean Wesley Smith's "Let's Dance", which had aspects similar to John Scalzi's "Old Man's War", but with enough different to make it stand on its own. A fun read and recommended for fans of the genre.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entertaining anthology simultaneously yanks you back into the seventies and launches you into the wackiest depths of space. For those of us born in later decades, Marc Scott Zicree’s fantastic opening gives an engaging introduction with just enough context to make even younger generations feel a tang of nostalgia. Every story takes a unique twist on the premise, and readers will find everything from a flamboyant genius battling otherworldly creatures to a collection of floating heads that might be gods…or might not. With influences and inspirations ranging from Star Wars and Star Trek to the Twilight Zone and Rocky Horror, any Space: 1975 reader looking for a sci-fi blast from the past will find a tale, or two, or three to enjoy.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Space: 1975

An anthology by some of the best current Sci-fi writers today set in the the styles of the 1970s.
This was a joy to read taking me back to my teenage years when I was a voracious reader taking advantage of the amazing collection at my local library, sometimes reading up to 8 books or collections a week that being the limit one was allowed to borrow at a time.
This anthology is a must read for all Sci-fi enthusiasts but especially for those who are of the age when Disco was king and the resurgence in all things Sci-fi resulted in the advent of such classics as “Bladerunner” “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” “Battlestar Gallactica” “Star Wars” “Silent Running” “Alien” et al.

[Jack Donley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given that 1975 was more than twice my lifetime ago, I can’t really speak to whether the pieces in the collection really do reflect the zeitgeist of the ‘70s, nor whether reading the collection would be nostalgic fun for someone who had lived through that decade, but I can say that, as a fan of science fiction, the collection is a fun read. Wildly different stories in different setting, from futures both near and far to completely different worlds (including a story “far far away” “where no man has gone before”). I didn’t love each and every piece, but there’s a broad enough variety that, if you like science fiction, there’s sure to be something you’ll love.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Space: 1975 is a collection of fantastical tales that transport readers to the golden age of sci-fi: the 1970s. This book is sprinkled with pop culture references of the generation from anything to clothing, to music, to politics. This allows its audience to keep one foot in the fantastic, imaginative world of alien societies and the other in the now practically-foreign world that our parents grew up in. The writers that crafted this book criticize the human race in hilarious and witty ways: driven by fierce characters that are introduced at the start of each tale. These characters are uniquely flawed but brave enough to face challenges presented by snarling, tentacled villains. Overall, an enjoyable, quick read for anyone seeking to "Time Warp" back to when science fiction was at its peak.

[Kyleigh Way · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Welcome to the place that is both of and beyond all time.” I felt I was in the 70’s myself while reading this short stories. It is such an action packed and an out of this world experience that will take you on a journey to through the Milky Way. These stories are just what you need for a blast to the past to relive the 70’s!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of stories, and yes, while most of them have 1970s themes, a couple aren't decade specific, but that didn't make them any less enjoyable. Good and fun stories in this collection. (and you'll find my name in the kickstarter thanks section as well).

[Andrew Brooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe better If you LOVE Corny

Like Austin Powers, these stories start out as wild drug-addled tales. If you like stories that make sense, then Barbara Bain's intro Was the best part of this Anthology for you.
I attempted about half the stories and didn't get into a single one.

[John Boyda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to like this book. The first story read like a juvenile from the 1930s - think Doc Savage. The second had a lot of 70s rock references but made no sense. I couldn't get into the third story and that's when I put the book down and won't be finishing it. Sorry - not recommended.