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The Future Makers
Contents include: Equator by Brian W. Aldiss / The Weapon Too Dreadful To Use by Isaac Asimov / The Piper by Ray Bradbury / Abreaction by Theodore Sturgeon / The Hour of Battle by Robert Sheckley / The Fourth Dimensional Demonstrator by Murray Leinster / Columbus Was a Dope by Robert Heinlein / Castaway by Arthur C. Clarke.
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1968
2 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Peter Haining
331 books99 followersPeter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 2, 2019
"Yo creo en el progreso, eso es todo. Recuerdo que mi viejo deseaba que la ley prohibiera las máquinas voladoras para que no rompieran a nadie el cuello. Proclamaba que nadie volaría jamás y que el gobierno debería tomar cartas en el asunto. Se equivocó. Yo no tengo espíritu de aventurero, pero hay gente que sí y creo que llegarán a alguna parte. Así es como se hace el progreso."
Un relato corto, bastante corto, con un toque filosófico y un final inesperado. Se debate sobre el sentido que tiene la expedición "Pegasus" hasta la estrella Proxima Centauri. ¿Qué hubiera pasado si Colón se quedaba en su cama?
Un relato corto, bastante corto, con un toque filosófico y un final inesperado. Se debate sobre el sentido que tiene la expedición "Pegasus" hasta la estrella Proxima Centauri. ¿Qué hubiera pasado si Colón se quedaba en su cama?
November 9, 2010
This anthology collects together very early short stories written by some of the most famous 50s and 60s SF authors: Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein, people like that. They are, frankly, terrible.
So why on earth would you want to read it? Well, it isn't included here, but I am strongly reminded of Thomas Disch's introduction to his own first story, which you'll find in his collection Fundamental Disch . Disch describes how he used to read terrible SF stories in the pulps, until one day a conviction suddenly dawned in him: he could do better than this. He sat down, wrote a story of his own, and submitted it to an SF magazine. Looking back, he isn't that enamoured of his effort. As he says:
So why on earth would you want to read it? Well, it isn't included here, but I am strongly reminded of Thomas Disch's introduction to his own first story, which you'll find in his collection Fundamental Disch . Disch describes how he used to read terrible SF stories in the pulps, until one day a conviction suddenly dawned in him: he could do better than this. He sat down, wrote a story of his own, and submitted it to an SF magazine. Looking back, he isn't that enamoured of his effort. As he says:
The characters are uninteresting, the world they inhabit is as textureless as Velveeta, and the prose, which is intended to be hard-boiled, has only been left in for two minutes. Nevertheless, it achieved its key objective: it sold.He goes on to encourage you to read his dreadful story. And, for exactly the same reasons, if you're an aspiring SF/fantasy writer, you might want to check out The Future Makers. Perhaps you'll have the same reaction as the young Disch. You can do better than this.
July 3, 2015
En la entrega numero 12 de relatos de ciencia ficción de Caralt, nos encontramos con una recopilación en la que el punto en común es que todos los trabajos que contiene son los primeros o de los primeros que escribieron de los ocho autores antes de su reconocimiento , normalmente publicados en revistas del género o juveniles. Algunos de ellos incluso ineditos y escritos bajo seudónimos.
Además, La mayoría de los relatos que componen el mencionado volumen nos hablan acerca de colonizaciones, invasiones y la opresión de civilizaciones en tierra ajena.
A pesar de no ser una de las más destacadas en cuanto a nivel se refiere , si bien sirve para conocer las primeras andaduras de éstos famosos autores, en la que se ya se perfilan sus modos operandi, estilo pluma y obsesiones .Cómo mejores historias, menciono:
- El desmostrador de la cuarta dimensión ( por variopinto, gracioso y con un toque extravagante)
- Sin reacción ( el mejor , sin duda, de la antología. Su historia y su ambientación son sus puntos fuertes)
- Ecuador ( por curioso y entretenido)
Paso a relatar el argumento y mi impresión acerca de cada uno de ellos:
1/ El demostrador de la cuarta dimensión ( Murray Leinster)
Peter Davison ha heredado las propiedades de uno de su tíos, el cual fue una autoridad en la cuarta dimensión. El problema radica en que él no sabe cómo acceder a ésta. Prometido con una atractiva señorita, que cree que ha heredado una fortuna, pero que no sabe que tan sólo cuenta con un aparato científico y un canguro cómo bien traspasado, intentará por todos los medios la gran obra de su pariente: el demostrador.
UN CÓMICO, IRÓNICO Y MUY CURIOSO RELATO ACERCA DE LA AMBICIÓN, LA VANIDAD, LA FALTA DE TINO Y VISIÓN HUMANA QUE DESENCADENA TERRIBLES CONSECUENCIAS.
ME HA GUSTADO.
2/ Colón fue un cretino ( Robert A. Heinlein)
Barnes, un imperativo comerciante de acero ha hecho tratos con Appleby, un científico que tiene en proyecto construir una nave espacial llamada Pegasus y embarcarse en una expedición familiar durante unos 75 años para llevar su proyecto a cabo allí. El primero no entiende el porqué de su drástica decisión al querer viajar a un astro virgen en una expedición que conlleva un alto riesgo.
Relato SIMPLE Y BREVE ACERCA DEL DESARROLLO Y EL PROGRESO PARA EL BENEFICIO COMÚN .
HEINLEIN DA PINCELADAS ACERCA DE SUS IDEALES COMO LA NECESIDAD DE LIBERTAD, ADQUISICIÓN DE NUEVOS CONOCIMIENTOS Y EXPANSIÓN.
ESTÁ BIEN.
3/ La hora de la batalla (Robert Sheckley)
Una expedición de guerra en una nave espacial, espera el contraataque del enemigo. Todo a raíz de una experiencia previa en un planeta en el cual detectaron a unos seres telépatas que pueden manipular las mentes a placer.
HISTORIA ACERCA DEL ENFRENTAMIENTO DE UN PODER SUPERIOR Y DESCONOCIDO, LAS NO MUY EFICACES MANIOBRAS DE DEFENSA AVANZADAS Y DE LA HISTERIA Y MIEDO ¿IRRACIONAL Y SIN FUNDAMENTO?
ESTÁ BIEN.
4/ El arma demasiado espantosa para ser usada ( Isaac Asimov)
Venus ha sido colonizado por los terrícolas. Dos amigos, Karl (tierra) le pide a Antil (venus) que lo lleve a ver las antiguas ruinas de Ash-taz-zor, que albergan un museo valiosísimo del arte y conocimientos científicos venusinos.
Allí encontrarán un antiguo manuscrito que les revelará algo espantoso y determinante para el futuro de ambos planetas...
HISTORIA ACERCA DE LAS CONSECUENCIAS DE LA GUERRA, EL MAL USO DEL PODER, LA AMBICIÓN Y LA REPRESIÓN XENOFOBA.
PRIMER RELATO DE UN JOVEN ASIMOV, QUE NO OBSTANTE, DEJA IMPRESA DESDE UN PRINCIPIO SU INCLINACIÓN DE DOTAR A SUS NARRACIONES DE UNA PROFUNDIDAD y TRANSCENDENCIA QUE PRETENDE SENTAR CÁTEDRA.
ESTA BIEN.
5/ Sin reacción (Theodore Sturgeon)
Un operario de tractor –explanador en un campo de aviación, se siente perdido y desorientado. Allí cree recordar atisbos de una civilización, incluso de su propia persona y entorno...
RELATO TREMENDAMENTE INQUIETANTE ACERCA DEL CONCEPTO DE REALIDAD Y LA SUBJETIVIDAD DE ÉSTA.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO.
6/ El flautista ( Ray Bradbury)
Marte se haya colonizado por Júpiter. Kerac, un músico exiliado regresa a su planeta y se lamenta del cambio del astro rojo.
RE-VISITACIÓN DEL FLAUTISTA DE HAMELÍN CON CIERTO TOQUE SOMBRÍO EN SU CONCLUSIÓN.
BRADBURY Y SU NARRATIVA MEDIO POÉTICA, PRETENCIOSA, FILOSÓFICA Y DE RASGOS OSCUROS. NUNCA ME ACABA DE CONVENCER ÉSTE AUTOR.
ESTÁ BIEN PERO ES ALGO FLOJA.
7/ Ecuador (Brian Aldiss)
Una nave militar – espía del servicio espacial, con tres tripulantes a bordo, viaja al área 101 la luna ( uno de los dos territorios concedido a los Rosks: antiguos emigrantes del planeta Alfa de centauro) para investigar un nuevo hallazgo que pueda ayudarles en la guerra entre ambas razas (terrícolas y Rosks).
A raíz de un imprevisto y turbulento suceso ocurrido en la misión, uno de los oficiales implicados comenzará una ansiosa persecución contra otro de ellos. Es entonces cuando comenzará una arriesgada aventura para él...
ES UNA NOVELA CORTA, MAS QUE UN RELATO.
CURIOSA Y MUY ENTRETENIDA HISTORIA DE ESPIONAJE Y AVENTURAS CON TRASFONDO POLÍTICO Y MILITAR, CARGADA DE PERSONAJES SIN PELOS EN LA LENGUA. TODO ELLO EN UN ESCENARIO ENTRE FUTURISTA, COSMOPOLITA Y TROPICAL.
NUNCA HABÍA LEÍDO NADA DE ALDISS Y ME HA SORPRENDIDO GRATAMENTE, A PESAR DE NO SER UNA PURO RELATO DE SCI FI EN EL TÉRMINO MÁS CLÁSICO.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO.
8/ Naúfrago (Arthur c. Clarke)
Una criatura que vive en la fotosfera solar es expulsada fuera de su astro y naufraga en el planeta tierra.
TÍPICO RELATO DE CLARKE, PLAGADO DE DETALLES CIENTÍFICOS Y EXACTAS Y EXHAUSTAS DESCRIPCIONES PARA CONTAR UNA SIMPLE HISTORIA.
ME CARGA ÉSTE AUTOR.
ESTÁ BIEN PERO ES DE LOS MÁS FLOJOS JUNTO AL DE BRADBURY...LOS DOS POR PRETENCIOSOS.
Además, La mayoría de los relatos que componen el mencionado volumen nos hablan acerca de colonizaciones, invasiones y la opresión de civilizaciones en tierra ajena.
A pesar de no ser una de las más destacadas en cuanto a nivel se refiere , si bien sirve para conocer las primeras andaduras de éstos famosos autores, en la que se ya se perfilan sus modos operandi, estilo pluma y obsesiones .Cómo mejores historias, menciono:
- El desmostrador de la cuarta dimensión ( por variopinto, gracioso y con un toque extravagante)
- Sin reacción ( el mejor , sin duda, de la antología. Su historia y su ambientación son sus puntos fuertes)
- Ecuador ( por curioso y entretenido)
Paso a relatar el argumento y mi impresión acerca de cada uno de ellos:
1/ El demostrador de la cuarta dimensión ( Murray Leinster)
Peter Davison ha heredado las propiedades de uno de su tíos, el cual fue una autoridad en la cuarta dimensión. El problema radica en que él no sabe cómo acceder a ésta. Prometido con una atractiva señorita, que cree que ha heredado una fortuna, pero que no sabe que tan sólo cuenta con un aparato científico y un canguro cómo bien traspasado, intentará por todos los medios la gran obra de su pariente: el demostrador.
UN CÓMICO, IRÓNICO Y MUY CURIOSO RELATO ACERCA DE LA AMBICIÓN, LA VANIDAD, LA FALTA DE TINO Y VISIÓN HUMANA QUE DESENCADENA TERRIBLES CONSECUENCIAS.
ME HA GUSTADO.
2/ Colón fue un cretino ( Robert A. Heinlein)
Barnes, un imperativo comerciante de acero ha hecho tratos con Appleby, un científico que tiene en proyecto construir una nave espacial llamada Pegasus y embarcarse en una expedición familiar durante unos 75 años para llevar su proyecto a cabo allí. El primero no entiende el porqué de su drástica decisión al querer viajar a un astro virgen en una expedición que conlleva un alto riesgo.
Relato SIMPLE Y BREVE ACERCA DEL DESARROLLO Y EL PROGRESO PARA EL BENEFICIO COMÚN .
HEINLEIN DA PINCELADAS ACERCA DE SUS IDEALES COMO LA NECESIDAD DE LIBERTAD, ADQUISICIÓN DE NUEVOS CONOCIMIENTOS Y EXPANSIÓN.
ESTÁ BIEN.
3/ La hora de la batalla (Robert Sheckley)
Una expedición de guerra en una nave espacial, espera el contraataque del enemigo. Todo a raíz de una experiencia previa en un planeta en el cual detectaron a unos seres telépatas que pueden manipular las mentes a placer.
HISTORIA ACERCA DEL ENFRENTAMIENTO DE UN PODER SUPERIOR Y DESCONOCIDO, LAS NO MUY EFICACES MANIOBRAS DE DEFENSA AVANZADAS Y DE LA HISTERIA Y MIEDO ¿IRRACIONAL Y SIN FUNDAMENTO?
ESTÁ BIEN.
4/ El arma demasiado espantosa para ser usada ( Isaac Asimov)
Venus ha sido colonizado por los terrícolas. Dos amigos, Karl (tierra) le pide a Antil (venus) que lo lleve a ver las antiguas ruinas de Ash-taz-zor, que albergan un museo valiosísimo del arte y conocimientos científicos venusinos.
Allí encontrarán un antiguo manuscrito que les revelará algo espantoso y determinante para el futuro de ambos planetas...
HISTORIA ACERCA DE LAS CONSECUENCIAS DE LA GUERRA, EL MAL USO DEL PODER, LA AMBICIÓN Y LA REPRESIÓN XENOFOBA.
PRIMER RELATO DE UN JOVEN ASIMOV, QUE NO OBSTANTE, DEJA IMPRESA DESDE UN PRINCIPIO SU INCLINACIÓN DE DOTAR A SUS NARRACIONES DE UNA PROFUNDIDAD y TRANSCENDENCIA QUE PRETENDE SENTAR CÁTEDRA.
ESTA BIEN.
5/ Sin reacción (Theodore Sturgeon)
Un operario de tractor –explanador en un campo de aviación, se siente perdido y desorientado. Allí cree recordar atisbos de una civilización, incluso de su propia persona y entorno...
RELATO TREMENDAMENTE INQUIETANTE ACERCA DEL CONCEPTO DE REALIDAD Y LA SUBJETIVIDAD DE ÉSTA.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO.
6/ El flautista ( Ray Bradbury)
Marte se haya colonizado por Júpiter. Kerac, un músico exiliado regresa a su planeta y se lamenta del cambio del astro rojo.
RE-VISITACIÓN DEL FLAUTISTA DE HAMELÍN CON CIERTO TOQUE SOMBRÍO EN SU CONCLUSIÓN.
BRADBURY Y SU NARRATIVA MEDIO POÉTICA, PRETENCIOSA, FILOSÓFICA Y DE RASGOS OSCUROS. NUNCA ME ACABA DE CONVENCER ÉSTE AUTOR.
ESTÁ BIEN PERO ES ALGO FLOJA.
7/ Ecuador (Brian Aldiss)
Una nave militar – espía del servicio espacial, con tres tripulantes a bordo, viaja al área 101 la luna ( uno de los dos territorios concedido a los Rosks: antiguos emigrantes del planeta Alfa de centauro) para investigar un nuevo hallazgo que pueda ayudarles en la guerra entre ambas razas (terrícolas y Rosks).
A raíz de un imprevisto y turbulento suceso ocurrido en la misión, uno de los oficiales implicados comenzará una ansiosa persecución contra otro de ellos. Es entonces cuando comenzará una arriesgada aventura para él...
ES UNA NOVELA CORTA, MAS QUE UN RELATO.
CURIOSA Y MUY ENTRETENIDA HISTORIA DE ESPIONAJE Y AVENTURAS CON TRASFONDO POLÍTICO Y MILITAR, CARGADA DE PERSONAJES SIN PELOS EN LA LENGUA. TODO ELLO EN UN ESCENARIO ENTRE FUTURISTA, COSMOPOLITA Y TROPICAL.
NUNCA HABÍA LEÍDO NADA DE ALDISS Y ME HA SORPRENDIDO GRATAMENTE, A PESAR DE NO SER UNA PURO RELATO DE SCI FI EN EL TÉRMINO MÁS CLÁSICO.
ME HA GUSTADO MUCHO.
8/ Naúfrago (Arthur c. Clarke)
Una criatura que vive en la fotosfera solar es expulsada fuera de su astro y naufraga en el planeta tierra.
TÍPICO RELATO DE CLARKE, PLAGADO DE DETALLES CIENTÍFICOS Y EXACTAS Y EXHAUSTAS DESCRIPCIONES PARA CONTAR UNA SIMPLE HISTORIA.
ME CARGA ÉSTE AUTOR.
ESTÁ BIEN PERO ES DE LOS MÁS FLOJOS JUNTO AL DE BRADBURY...LOS DOS POR PRETENCIOSOS.
June 10, 2024
Interesting compilation of early writings by genre titans as Issac Asimov, Brian W. Aldiss, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clark, Ray Bradbury, among others. The literary value is not as high as one would expect. However, the seeds of future geniuses are clearly evident in each of the stories. The best text on this anthology is "Abreaction" by Theodore Sturgeon, a delusional story about a comatose patient whose perceptions imply living in a multidimensional environment that really misguide the reader until the very end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2022
Some of the seven stories were better than others, although this may be partly a time thing: most of them were written before 1950 and the oldest one in 1935. The one novelette was quite good, except for some annoying mistakes in details that the author should not have made if he really knew Sumatra as the introduction states. Neither chimpansees nor tree-like (or in fact any) cactuses are indigenous to Sumatra.
February 26, 2023
An average collection of stories from early 20th century. The Asimov short story, as always, is a stand out, well written and well paced, as is expected from the master. The novella by Brian Aldiss is a fun romp, but seemed a little too stretched out. The rest are a little dated, with the Clarke story, unexpectedly, being especially dull.
August 8, 2023
A gem of a book. Pleasantly surprised to see some of my favourite authors in there. The stories are over before you know it, but the ideas are no less punchy. Very much appreciated Mr. Haining’s short summations of how the stories fit within the authors career.
November 24, 2021
A good selection of early stories, I particularly enjoyed the Bradbury short and the Aldiss novella. Also contains an Arthur C. Clarke story I'd not read before (Castaway).
July 22, 2014
"The Future Makers" edited by Peter Haining.
A Collection from 1968 reprinting early tales from authors who became giants in the science fiction genre. Haining has dusted off old copies of Weird Tales, Amazing Stories, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Startling Stories and others and found rare gems by eight authors including Asimov, Aldiss, Bradbury, Heinlein and Clarke. A superb collection of tales from 1935 to 1958, a golden period in popular science fiction.
"The Fourth Dimensional Demonstrator" by Murray Leinster.
Hilarious story of a machine that creates doubles and multiples (including people). Chaos ensues when it gets out of control. Fun stuff and a great way to open the anthology, proving that SF doesn't always have to be sombre, serious and stuffy. (5/5)
"The Weapon Too Dreadful to Use" by Isaac Asimov
Prophetic Doomsday tale about the Earth's war with Venus. The type of story that was common place in the 1950s but Asimov tackled these themes in 1939. (4/5)
"Abreaction" by Theodore Sturgeon
A Bulldozer driver finds himself in a situation where he doubts his reality. The reader too is placed in a position of working out what is real and what is fantasy. Sophisticated writing and entry in this anthology that I most wanted to read again. (5/5)
"The Piper" by Ray Bradbury
The Jovians have conquered Mars, but one Martian has discovered a musical pipe that may change the status quo. Solid Sci-fi (4/5)
"Columbus was a Dope" by Robert Heinlein
In a bar, men debate the value of space exploration. Loses a point only because time and real life events have surpassed it, blunting its initial impact. (3/5)
"Castaway" by Arthur C. Clarke.
A life-form enters the atmosphere. A totally inadequate summary for a story defying easy description. Clarke at his most mesmerising and mind-bending. (4/5)
"The Hour of Battle" by Robert Sheckley
Astronauts prepare for an invasion by aliens who can read minds. Somewhat predictable tale but still a good read (4/5)
"Equator" by Brian Aldiss
This science fiction mystery is really an old fashioned adventure pulp dressed up in Alpha Centurion clothing. A murder on the Moon begins this fast paced story which sees its hero in Sumatra in search of the murderer. Impossible and breathtaking escapes are the order of the day as he encounters shady Government officials and members of an alien race with an evil plan for the future of Earth. "Equator's" novelette length allows it to develop several strands and deliver some unexpected twists. (4/5)
Regretably this anthology is out of print but worth a look-for in the old used book store
A Collection from 1968 reprinting early tales from authors who became giants in the science fiction genre. Haining has dusted off old copies of Weird Tales, Amazing Stories, Thrilling Wonder Stories, Startling Stories and others and found rare gems by eight authors including Asimov, Aldiss, Bradbury, Heinlein and Clarke. A superb collection of tales from 1935 to 1958, a golden period in popular science fiction.
"The Fourth Dimensional Demonstrator" by Murray Leinster.
Hilarious story of a machine that creates doubles and multiples (including people). Chaos ensues when it gets out of control. Fun stuff and a great way to open the anthology, proving that SF doesn't always have to be sombre, serious and stuffy. (5/5)
"The Weapon Too Dreadful to Use" by Isaac Asimov
Prophetic Doomsday tale about the Earth's war with Venus. The type of story that was common place in the 1950s but Asimov tackled these themes in 1939. (4/5)
"Abreaction" by Theodore Sturgeon
A Bulldozer driver finds himself in a situation where he doubts his reality. The reader too is placed in a position of working out what is real and what is fantasy. Sophisticated writing and entry in this anthology that I most wanted to read again. (5/5)
"The Piper" by Ray Bradbury
The Jovians have conquered Mars, but one Martian has discovered a musical pipe that may change the status quo. Solid Sci-fi (4/5)
"Columbus was a Dope" by Robert Heinlein
In a bar, men debate the value of space exploration. Loses a point only because time and real life events have surpassed it, blunting its initial impact. (3/5)
"Castaway" by Arthur C. Clarke.
A life-form enters the atmosphere. A totally inadequate summary for a story defying easy description. Clarke at his most mesmerising and mind-bending. (4/5)
"The Hour of Battle" by Robert Sheckley
Astronauts prepare for an invasion by aliens who can read minds. Somewhat predictable tale but still a good read (4/5)
"Equator" by Brian Aldiss
This science fiction mystery is really an old fashioned adventure pulp dressed up in Alpha Centurion clothing. A murder on the Moon begins this fast paced story which sees its hero in Sumatra in search of the murderer. Impossible and breathtaking escapes are the order of the day as he encounters shady Government officials and members of an alien race with an evil plan for the future of Earth. "Equator's" novelette length allows it to develop several strands and deliver some unexpected twists. (4/5)
Regretably this anthology is out of print but worth a look-for in the old used book store
April 22, 2013
This is a collection of stories that were old even when the anthology was assembled in the 1970s. Their publication dates range from the 1930s to the 1950s. The idea was apparently to assemble stories from early in the careers of writers who had gone on to become the pillars of sci-fi.
Isaac Asimov's first published story, "The Weapon Too Dreadful To Use", is included. It shows a little less polish than his typical later stories, but still a pretty masterful command of the language (especially for a 17-year-old, who had only been in the US for 11 years). Ray Bradbury's "The Piper" is just as enigmatic and pessimistic as anything he'd later write for The Martian Chronicles. Robert Heinlein's story shows all of the clever wit and exaggerated character personalities that he'd continue to employ for many decades.
Several of the stories were cute, or good for a quick read. The only one that will stick with me is probably Theodore Sturgeon's "Abreaction", which I thought was quite good. But all of them are worth reading to get a different view of these old masters.
Isaac Asimov's first published story, "The Weapon Too Dreadful To Use", is included. It shows a little less polish than his typical later stories, but still a pretty masterful command of the language (especially for a 17-year-old, who had only been in the US for 11 years). Ray Bradbury's "The Piper" is just as enigmatic and pessimistic as anything he'd later write for The Martian Chronicles. Robert Heinlein's story shows all of the clever wit and exaggerated character personalities that he'd continue to employ for many decades.
Several of the stories were cute, or good for a quick read. The only one that will stick with me is probably Theodore Sturgeon's "Abreaction", which I thought was quite good. But all of them are worth reading to get a different view of these old masters.
February 2, 2016
I bought this book years ago for just one euro, but never got around to reading it. From the reviews, I wasn't expecting much. But I really liked some of them, while others were just your run-of-the-mill classic sci-fi stories, which are still enjoyable from time to time.
But for me, some really stand out. I especially liked the stories by Murray Leinster and Brian W. Aldiss, of whom I hadn't read any work before. I will check out more work by them in the future (any recommendations?).
Also good were stories by Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Sheckley. A curious and interesting gem is a story written by a then 17 year old Asimov. Not fantastic, but not exactly terrible either. Considering it was written in 1939, it gives an interesting look into the development of this author.
Then there are stories by other big names, like Robert Heinlein, which are totally unremarkable.
But for me, some really stand out. I especially liked the stories by Murray Leinster and Brian W. Aldiss, of whom I hadn't read any work before. I will check out more work by them in the future (any recommendations?).
Also good were stories by Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Sheckley. A curious and interesting gem is a story written by a then 17 year old Asimov. Not fantastic, but not exactly terrible either. Considering it was written in 1939, it gives an interesting look into the development of this author.
Then there are stories by other big names, like Robert Heinlein, which are totally unremarkable.
July 5, 2014
Eight good sci-fi short stories by eight of the early masters of the genre (Aldiss, Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, Heinlein, Leinster, Sheckley, & Sturgeon). A great way to "stick your toe" into the literary water and try some authors without investing the time and/or money into an entire novel by each one.
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August 25, 20101ST EDITION. ANTHOLOGY INCLUDING STORIES BY BRIAN W. ALDISS, ISAAC ASIMOV, ROBERT HEINLEIN, AND ARTHUR C. CLARKE
April 25, 2012
Excellent scifi.
My faves were the stories by Bradbury (the piper) and Adliss (equator).
My faves were the stories by Bradbury (the piper) and Adliss (equator).
February 5, 2013
A great little sci-fi collection.
October 8, 2017
Relato corto, demasiado corto para explicar nada. Un título atroz.
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