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Return to Glory
Cover illustration by Edward Miller
We're pleased to present Return to Glory, a huge (200,000 words) collection by Jack McDevitt, that gathers thirty-two tales, many famous, many rare, from throughout his four-decade career as one of science fiction's finest practitioners.
About the Book:
Jack McDevitt’s passion for astronomy was recognized in 2008 when the International Astronomical Union put his name on an asteroid. NASA has given him an award for “keeping the science in science fiction.” Stephen King described Jack as the “natural heir to Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.”
Life is full of mysteries. Or at least, Jack’s fiction is. His earliest story, “The Emerson Effect,” shows how a hundred-year-old package that had been lost in the mail turns up at a post office and changes the lives of two clerks. In “The Big Downtown,” why do three people take a sailboat out into the bay when a hurricane is moving in? In “Tau Ceti Said What?” we send an automated mission out to the star, which is twelve light-years away, so far the ship required fifty years to get there, what might it see so unnerving that we’d try to keep secret that there’d even been a message?
In “Riding with the Duke,” Jack shows us how much fun TV may be in the near future. And might we really live in a universe where, somewhere, every possibility occurs? And would that be a good thing? “Standard Candles” asks the question. In “Timely Visitor” we encounter a time traveler from the past who seeks to have her work recognized. “Return to Glory” suggests the possibility that Star Trek may actually give us the Enterprise.
“The Cat’s Pajamas” examines what the crew of a starship may risk to rescue a stranded feline. And a senator’s conversation with an AI that doesn’t do much more than answer phone calls and announce visitors leads to a crisis in “The Wrong Way.”
These and twenty other rides into the unknown await the reader.
We're pleased to present Return to Glory, a huge (200,000 words) collection by Jack McDevitt, that gathers thirty-two tales, many famous, many rare, from throughout his four-decade career as one of science fiction's finest practitioners.
About the Book:
Jack McDevitt’s passion for astronomy was recognized in 2008 when the International Astronomical Union put his name on an asteroid. NASA has given him an award for “keeping the science in science fiction.” Stephen King described Jack as the “natural heir to Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.”
Life is full of mysteries. Or at least, Jack’s fiction is. His earliest story, “The Emerson Effect,” shows how a hundred-year-old package that had been lost in the mail turns up at a post office and changes the lives of two clerks. In “The Big Downtown,” why do three people take a sailboat out into the bay when a hurricane is moving in? In “Tau Ceti Said What?” we send an automated mission out to the star, which is twelve light-years away, so far the ship required fifty years to get there, what might it see so unnerving that we’d try to keep secret that there’d even been a message?
In “Riding with the Duke,” Jack shows us how much fun TV may be in the near future. And might we really live in a universe where, somewhere, every possibility occurs? And would that be a good thing? “Standard Candles” asks the question. In “Timely Visitor” we encounter a time traveler from the past who seeks to have her work recognized. “Return to Glory” suggests the possibility that Star Trek may actually give us the Enterprise.
“The Cat’s Pajamas” examines what the crew of a starship may risk to rescue a stranded feline. And a senator’s conversation with an AI that doesn’t do much more than answer phone calls and announce visitors leads to a crisis in “The Wrong Way.”
These and twenty other rides into the unknown await the reader.
576 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2022
50 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Jack McDevitt
185 books1,349 followersJack McDevitt is a former English teacher, naval officer, Philadelphia taxi driver, customs officer and motivational trainer. His work has been on the final ballot for the Nebula Awards for 12 of the past 13 years. His first novel, The Hercules Text, was published in the celebrated Ace Specials series and won the Philip K. Dick Special Award. In 1991, McDevitt won the first $10,000 UPC International Prize for his novella, "Ships in the Night." The Engines of God was a finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and his novella, "Time Travelers Never Die," was nominated for both the Hugo and the Nebula awards.
McDevitt lives in Georgia with his wife, Maureen, where he plays chess, reads mysteries and eats lunch regularly with his cronies.
McDevitt lives in Georgia with his wife, Maureen, where he plays chess, reads mysteries and eats lunch regularly with his cronies.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 19, 2024
This was an impulse buy that I picked up after being struck by one of McDevitt’s Alex Benedict novels. Not bad, but I should have known I wouldn’t end up too impressed. I’m not a big fan of short stories, and this collection demonstrates some of the reasons. Many of these stories are similar to each other in that they involve a scientific discovery, some musings about the protagonist’s relationships, and a largely inconclusive ending. To me there’s just not enough room in stories of this length to adequately explore the topics McDevitt raises, so most of them have an unfinished feeling to them. They also all share the author’s fairly distinctive writing style, with an emphasis on characters’ names, and similar dialogue, so when reading them all in succession, they tend to run together. Some interesting ideas, for sure, but I wasn’t wild about this volume.
July 14, 2024
Jack McDevitt is undoubtedly one of the best writers of Science Fiction of our times. This massive tome contains almost all of his recent efforts, punctuated by older and hitherto uncollected tales.
The book has following sections~
1) Unlikely Gifts: five stories and a novella (excerpt from 'The Hercules Text') ;
2) Deep Space: eight stories;
3) High Hopes: five stories (among which 'Return to Glory' is bound to conjure a sense of real joy) and a novella ('The Big Downtown— best work done by the author in recent times);
4) Incoming Tech: six stories;
5) Looking Back: six stories.
The older stories still pack a lot of punch. The newer tales display a downward spiral with fading lights.
This is a very good collection, produced beautifully. But it felt more like a 'long goodbye', or even a 'farewell, my lovely', than a 'red harvest' from McDevitt.
Nevertheless, recommended.
The book has following sections~
1) Unlikely Gifts: five stories and a novella (excerpt from 'The Hercules Text') ;
2) Deep Space: eight stories;
3) High Hopes: five stories (among which 'Return to Glory' is bound to conjure a sense of real joy) and a novella ('The Big Downtown— best work done by the author in recent times);
4) Incoming Tech: six stories;
5) Looking Back: six stories.
The older stories still pack a lot of punch. The newer tales display a downward spiral with fading lights.
This is a very good collection, produced beautifully. But it felt more like a 'long goodbye', or even a 'farewell, my lovely', than a 'red harvest' from McDevitt.
Nevertheless, recommended.
February 24, 2023
A wonderful collection of science fiction stories.
September 14, 2022
McDevitt has been around a while and knows how to create a good story. I've read a few of his books and liked them. His books are a safe bet, including this one, which is a collection of short stories. There's a nice variety, and it shows off his talent nicely.
I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!
I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!
July 3, 2023
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5
I've really been enjoying Jack McDevitt's Alex Benedict series (I just recently read and reviewed book #9 in that series) and it's because of those book that when I saw he had a collection of short stories available, I really wanted to read it. I love the short story format.
Because I'm really only familiar with McDevitt through one series, I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy his short stories but as it turns out, I didn't need to be too concerned. The stories are fantastic.
For no particular reason, I have mentally categorized McDevitt as a 'hard' science fiction author (which typically means [to me] an excess of scientific jargon explaining, or justifying, how life works in these worlds, or at the very least, stories where the science matters) and hard science is not my interest. What a surprise, then, to read a story like "Arcturean Nocturne" - a boy-meets-girl story. George just wants to go to space but on earth, Stephanie wants to compose a nocturne. The fall in love and of course the opportunity comes along for George (and Stephanie) to take the trip of a lifetime to the stars, and back. George books the passage but Stephanie wants to stay on earth to hear her dream of a nocturne realized. A bit of 'O. Henry' give-and-take and the end result is absolutely heart-wrenching. What a powerful story.
I really enjoyed "Tea Time With Aliens" - an AI, first contact story.
Possibly my favorite in the collection is the titular "Return to Glory." Imagine generations into the future and much of the 21st century (and early) history is lost when a discovery is made of an old television show. Except ... it's not the show ... it's a Star Trek fan film. That fan film becomes the genesis for a revival interest in those characters and new stories are developed for a new entertainment-starved generation. But not only is Star Trek revived, but there's a renewed interest in science as well.
The last of my favorites was "The Cassandra Project" in which we learn that the NASA Apollo missions included some business we've never been told, in which the astronauts were sent to destroy or cover up the existence of someone else having been on the moon before man ever got there. This might be the most science-involved story and it's hard to fathom I might like something that suggests the Apollo missions were faked in some way (though not in the way deniers claim), but this really was a powerful story.
All the stories in this collection are good (the four mentioned above just stood out to me) and I have a new respect for McDevitt as author. He really knows how to tell a story and keep the people interesting and important to the reader.
This book contains the following:
Dangerous Information: An Introduction by Tom Easton
Unlikely Gifts:
The Emerson Effect
The Jersey Rifle
Voice in the Dark
Tau Ceti Said What?
The Oppenheimer Club
What’s the Point of Being Alive If You’re a Tree?
Deep Space:
Tidal Effects
Standard Candles
The Cat’s Pajamas
Enjoy the Moment
Arcturean Nocturne
Tea Time with Aliens
Cosmic Harmony
The Gold Signal
High Hopes:
Crossing Over
Holding Pattern
The Big Downtown
Return to Glory
The Sunrise Club
Good News
Incoming Tech:
Variables
Eyes on the Prize
The Eagle Project
Riding with the Duke
The Wrong Way
Bring On the Night
Looking Back:
Leap of Faith
Lake Agassiz
The Cassandra Project
Dig Site
Excalibur
Timely Visitor
Looking for good book? If you enjoy the short story format and like a good scifi yarn, Jack McDevitt's collection Return to Glory is really top notch.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I've really been enjoying Jack McDevitt's Alex Benedict series (I just recently read and reviewed book #9 in that series) and it's because of those book that when I saw he had a collection of short stories available, I really wanted to read it. I love the short story format.
Because I'm really only familiar with McDevitt through one series, I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy his short stories but as it turns out, I didn't need to be too concerned. The stories are fantastic.
For no particular reason, I have mentally categorized McDevitt as a 'hard' science fiction author (which typically means [to me] an excess of scientific jargon explaining, or justifying, how life works in these worlds, or at the very least, stories where the science matters) and hard science is not my interest. What a surprise, then, to read a story like "Arcturean Nocturne" - a boy-meets-girl story. George just wants to go to space but on earth, Stephanie wants to compose a nocturne. The fall in love and of course the opportunity comes along for George (and Stephanie) to take the trip of a lifetime to the stars, and back. George books the passage but Stephanie wants to stay on earth to hear her dream of a nocturne realized. A bit of 'O. Henry' give-and-take and the end result is absolutely heart-wrenching. What a powerful story.
I really enjoyed "Tea Time With Aliens" - an AI, first contact story.
Possibly my favorite in the collection is the titular "Return to Glory." Imagine generations into the future and much of the 21st century (and early) history is lost when a discovery is made of an old television show. Except ... it's not the show ... it's a Star Trek fan film. That fan film becomes the genesis for a revival interest in those characters and new stories are developed for a new entertainment-starved generation. But not only is Star Trek revived, but there's a renewed interest in science as well.
The last of my favorites was "The Cassandra Project" in which we learn that the NASA Apollo missions included some business we've never been told, in which the astronauts were sent to destroy or cover up the existence of someone else having been on the moon before man ever got there. This might be the most science-involved story and it's hard to fathom I might like something that suggests the Apollo missions were faked in some way (though not in the way deniers claim), but this really was a powerful story.
All the stories in this collection are good (the four mentioned above just stood out to me) and I have a new respect for McDevitt as author. He really knows how to tell a story and keep the people interesting and important to the reader.
This book contains the following:
Dangerous Information: An Introduction by Tom Easton
Unlikely Gifts:
The Emerson Effect
The Jersey Rifle
Voice in the Dark
Tau Ceti Said What?
The Oppenheimer Club
What’s the Point of Being Alive If You’re a Tree?
Deep Space:
Tidal Effects
Standard Candles
The Cat’s Pajamas
Enjoy the Moment
Arcturean Nocturne
Tea Time with Aliens
Cosmic Harmony
The Gold Signal
High Hopes:
Crossing Over
Holding Pattern
The Big Downtown
Return to Glory
The Sunrise Club
Good News
Incoming Tech:
Variables
Eyes on the Prize
The Eagle Project
Riding with the Duke
The Wrong Way
Bring On the Night
Looking Back:
Leap of Faith
Lake Agassiz
The Cassandra Project
Dig Site
Excalibur
Timely Visitor
Looking for good book? If you enjoy the short story format and like a good scifi yarn, Jack McDevitt's collection Return to Glory is really top notch.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2023
I've come to the conclusion that Jack McDevitt's real gift is in writing short fiction and not in writing novels, especially his most recent ones. This collection of short stories is generally very good with some standout ones (along with a few weaker ones). Overall, in spite of the thickness of the collection, I often found myself reading longer than I had planned at times because I was lost in the current story.
That said, if you were to pick up only one of his anthologies, I believe that _Cryptic_ would be the one to get.
That said, if you were to pick up only one of his anthologies, I believe that _Cryptic_ would be the one to get.
January 1, 2024
Incomplete
This is a compilation of short stories that have apparently been published. They are all extremely interesting science topics, but the basic theme is always interpersonal relationships. Almost all of the stories end abruptly. All stories are unrelated to reach other, and there is no common theme. I wished each story to be developed in greater detail. It was as if each story was merely a small part of an extensive novel.
This is a compilation of short stories that have apparently been published. They are all extremely interesting science topics, but the basic theme is always interpersonal relationships. Almost all of the stories end abruptly. All stories are unrelated to reach other, and there is no common theme. I wished each story to be developed in greater detail. It was as if each story was merely a small part of an extensive novel.
February 4, 2025
McDevitt far-future people are still sitting around in houses in the hills drinking the same booze listening to music and reading books. Classical of course.
They still have jobs we'd recognize, the same social troubles, complain about the same things.
There is a theme to the short stories too. Signals from space, meeting the aliens. Who are not very different from us.
His works show a white middle aged to old American viewpoint.
But some of the stories are ok
They still have jobs we'd recognize, the same social troubles, complain about the same things.
There is a theme to the short stories too. Signals from space, meeting the aliens. Who are not very different from us.
His works show a white middle aged to old American viewpoint.
But some of the stories are ok
March 22, 2024
Always enjoyed his short stories and novels, the best being his Academy series. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews