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Yet More Penguin Science Fiction
205p original period paperback, pages clean, fresh copy, first printing
205 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
About the author
Brian W. Aldiss
837 books693 followersPseudonyms: Jael Cracken, Peter Pica, John Runciman, C.C. Shackleton, Arch Mendicant, & "Doc" Peristyle.
Brian Wilson Aldiss was one of the most important voices in science fiction writing today. He wrote his first novel while working as a bookseller in Oxford. Shortly afterwards he wrote his first work of science fiction and soon gained international recognition. Adored for his innovative literary techniques, evocative plots and irresistible characters, he became a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1999.
Brian Aldiss died on August 19, 2017, just after celebrating his 92nd birthday with his family and closest friends.
Brian W. Aldiss Group on Good Reads
Brian Wilson Aldiss was one of the most important voices in science fiction writing today. He wrote his first novel while working as a bookseller in Oxford. Shortly afterwards he wrote his first work of science fiction and soon gained international recognition. Adored for his innovative literary techniques, evocative plots and irresistible characters, he became a Grand Master of Science Fiction in 1999.
Brian Aldiss died on August 19, 2017, just after celebrating his 92nd birthday with his family and closest friends.
Brian W. Aldiss Group on Good Reads
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 11, 2017
A really nice collection from the mid sixties. I love the combination of futuristic with ideas rooted in the past (a computer brain that can solve any problem! That runs on magnetic tape!)
February 11, 2013
A nice collection of some really good old fashioned science fiction, the kind of things that I grew up on, and I miss in these latter days. ;-7
January 25, 2021
Another great collection of old SF tales from the 50s and early 60s collected in this slim 1964 volume.
January 9, 2026
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/yet-more-penguin-science-fiction-ed-brian-aldiss/
An anthology of cutting edge SF as of the year 1964, when the book retailed for three shillings and sixpence, equivalent to 17½ new pence. There are twelve stories, nine first published in the 1950s and three in the 1960s, all by white men, eight Americans (one of whom was the naturalised Canadian-born A.E. van Vogt) and four British. This was the third of a series of Penguin anthologies edited by Aldiss with the intention of bringing new readers into SF.
All of the stories feature memorable concepts, maybe some of them out of date now (eg the magic-using community sealed off from the scientific world, the defeated white Americans who decide to try and conquer Europe), but stimulating for the Penguin reader of 1964. The standout piece is probably Arthur C. Clarke’s “Before Eden”, in which two cynical technicians accidentally discover life on Venus and unwittingly destroy it as they leave.
The stories do not at all reflect the coming New Wave, but I guess that can be forgiven for a collection which was probably assembled in 1962 and 1963, and perhaps the New Wave might not have appealed to the average Penguin reader as much. It’s an interesting snapshot of the genre at a particular time, and from a particular angle.
An anthology of cutting edge SF as of the year 1964, when the book retailed for three shillings and sixpence, equivalent to 17½ new pence. There are twelve stories, nine first published in the 1950s and three in the 1960s, all by white men, eight Americans (one of whom was the naturalised Canadian-born A.E. van Vogt) and four British. This was the third of a series of Penguin anthologies edited by Aldiss with the intention of bringing new readers into SF.
All of the stories feature memorable concepts, maybe some of them out of date now (eg the magic-using community sealed off from the scientific world, the defeated white Americans who decide to try and conquer Europe), but stimulating for the Penguin reader of 1964. The standout piece is probably Arthur C. Clarke’s “Before Eden”, in which two cynical technicians accidentally discover life on Venus and unwittingly destroy it as they leave.
The stories do not at all reflect the coming New Wave, but I guess that can be forgiven for a collection which was probably assembled in 1962 and 1963, and perhaps the New Wave might not have appealed to the average Penguin reader as much. It’s an interesting snapshot of the genre at a particular time, and from a particular angle.
September 10, 2026
This year, I have been trying to read more fiction. One of my focal points is science fiction. I like sci-fi, and it’s my favourite genre. Alongside literary fiction, sci-fi is one of the more meaningful genres. There are a lot of ideas that are discussed in sci-fi, and they tend to be deeper than other genres. Yet More Penguin Science Fiction is a Penguin anthology of sci-fi short stories. There are multiple thoughtful stories throughout the book. Before Eden is about terraforming Venus; I Made You is a short story about a robot who is fighting a human stuck in a cave; Eastward Ho! is an alternative history based around Native American tribes who have stopped the westward expansion in the USA; The Windows of Heaven is a story about the end of the world watched from the moon.
These stories are interesting and thought-provoking. The stories offer a way for the reader to reflect on the world that is currently around them. Stories such as I Made You, whilst being written over 60 years ago, feel to be very evocative given the current AI boom. I highly doubt that these stories will become part of the current psyche, but if you stumble upon this book in a second-hand bookshop or jumble sale, I would recommend picking it up. These are some good short stories.
These stories are interesting and thought-provoking. The stories offer a way for the reader to reflect on the world that is currently around them. Stories such as I Made You, whilst being written over 60 years ago, feel to be very evocative given the current AI boom. I highly doubt that these stories will become part of the current psyche, but if you stumble upon this book in a second-hand bookshop or jumble sale, I would recommend picking it up. These are some good short stories.
April 30, 2026
"For someone who usually chooses these old sci-fi books based purely on cover, this was rare in that I just found the title so funny that I absolutely had to pick this up.
As is often the case with old science fiction, this is really charming in how, no matter how futuristic the scene they're describing is there's never anything even approaching the advancement of a smartphone.
I know it's more usual for a favourite section of something like this, but I'll instead leave you with the knowledge that the one called 'Kind World' or something along those lines can be skipped without you needing to worry."
As is often the case with old science fiction, this is really charming in how, no matter how futuristic the scene they're describing is there's never anything even approaching the advancement of a smartphone.
I know it's more usual for a favourite section of something like this, but I'll instead leave you with the knowledge that the one called 'Kind World' or something along those lines can be skipped without you needing to worry."
November 30, 2025
The third in this series of classic SF short stories. Nice to dip in and out of.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews