Galactic Empires 2

Galactic Empires #2

by Brian W. Aldiss (editor)

Galactic Empires represent a promiscuous liaison between Astronomy and Glamour, with Glamour generally in the ascendant.
Galactic Empires are the spectaculars of the science fiction field.
This monster two-volume anthology contains twenty-six stories which between them cover many of the dimensions of the galactic empire, its origins, laws, mores, educational systems, and traditions. Not forgetting its inhabitants of every shape and colour. Not forgetting wither the natural quirks of the universe in which they all live.

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

296 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1976

About the author

Pseudonyms: 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

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of a two-volume anthology that Aldiss edited with the theme of Galactic Empires. I thought that he took a somewhat overly scholarly stance in his introduction but did present a pleasing mix of classic and somewhat obscure stories from both famous and somewhat lesser-known authors, most of which fit the theme at least peripherally. Most of the pieces are from the genre magazines of the 1940s and '50s. It includes interesting stories from John D. MacDonald (who wrote some good sf before Travis hit it big), A.E. van Vogt, a funny Fredric Brown short-short, Poul Anderson, and James Blish. My favorite is probably Tonight the Stars Revolt! by Gardner F. Fox. It's not as strong of a collection as the first volume, but it does have some fine old stuff.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the first collection but still with some good stuff in it. Three and a half stars.

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of old-school SF stories loosely centered around the theme of "Galactic Empires." There were also little philosophical bits by Aldiss in there as well, introducing each subtheme. I can't say I was super impressed, with the exception of the Gardner F. Fox story, which was mostly impressive for its badness (in the Epic Conclusion the main character is stymied because the power cord from the Nuclear Pits to his Heat Gun isn't long enough, I'm not even kidding, gods that story is awesome).

I guess what it comes down to for me is that technology-focused SF is more interesting as a reflection of the ideas of its time (I'm looking at you right now, Cory Doctorow) than it is in and of itself. So this collection comes off as dated and hackneyed. Which is a shame, kind of, because who doesn't love a good Galactic Empire yarn?

[Raúl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una nueva selección, sorprendente, de relatos de ciencia ficción que exploran el mundo de los imperios galácticos. Cada cuento apunta a una dirección muy diferente y eso permite tener una visión realmente galáctica de este género de narración, con relatos muy anteriores al estallido (a veces, tan trivial) de Star Wars.

[Mario · Rating 3 out of 5]

About the same as Volume One, these felt a lot less dated but were more varied in terms of quality. There were a few gems sprinkled throughout. I enjoyed reading through it, more or less, but it won't blow your mind or anything. It's fine.

[Aída Alonso Peral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los relatos han estado muy bien. Es cierto que los del primer tomo siguen siendo mis favoritos. Recomiendo la antología porque existen muchos muy buenos, a pesar de que un par de la colección no aportan nada.
Me gustaría destacar mis relatos favoritos de esta recopilación, como por ejemplo, la ingeniosa y divertida historia de Cordwainer Smith titulada El crimen y la gloria del comandante Suzdal. Jamás olvidaré su final, que fue totalmente impactante.
La triste historia de La luminosidad cae del aire, escrita por Idris Seabright, es otra que deberíais leer porque la reflexión que incita sigue siendo necesaria hoy en día. La ciencia ficción cuenta muchas verdades de nuestro presente y por desgracia, el tema del que habla todavía depende de una gran lucha para cambiar a un futuro mejor.
Inmigrante, de Clifford Simak, es quizás el mejor de Imperios Galácticos 2. La prosa, la narración, los personajes, el mensaje... Todos los puntos a valorar superan al resto que hay publicados en este libro. Además, es el relato más largo, así que da tiempo a disfrutar de su lectura como se merece.
Médico residente de James White tiene detalles originales. Gusta la forma de narrar las escenas de acción y tiene su originalidad.

El ejemplar con el que he leído era de mi padre, publicado en 1981, siendo la primera edición de la editorial Bruguera en España.

[Gilles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Galactic empires volume 2

Lu en anglais

Une anthologie de nouvelles portant sur les empires galactiques, souvent du sous-genre space opera.

Le livre se découpe deux parties :
1) La maturité ou l'effondrement de l'empire (suite)
2) Le déclin et la chute de l'empire

Une mini présentation des nouvelles incluses :

1) Évasion vers le chaos par John D. MacDonald -
Jouer avec des univers parallèles (Moyen)
2) Dissimulation par A. E. van Vogt -
Surhomme ? (Bon)
3) Pour civiliser par Algis Budrys -
Le passage de bâton (Bon)
4) Bip par James Blish -
Voir le futur ? (Bon)
5) En descendant la rivière par Mack Reynolds -
Raciste ! (Bon)
6) Chasseur de primes par Avram Davidson -
Animal ou ... (Bon)
7) Pas encore la fin par Fredric Brown -
Invasion (Bon)

8) Ce soir les étoiles se soulèvent par Gardner F. Fox -
Sur les ruines d'un ancien empire (Bon)
9) Rencontre finale par Harry Harrison -
Une trace d'extraterrestre ? (Bon)
10) Seigneur d'un millier d'étoiles par Poul Anderson -
Rescapé d'un empire (Bon)
11) L'ancêtre géant par F. L. Wallace -
À la recherche de ses origines (Bon et amusant)
12) Les intrus par Roger Dee -
Le test (Bon)

Le déclin des empires est moins intéressant malgré quelques bonnes idées.

J'ai aimé malgré tout.

[Scartaris · Rating 3 out of 5]

La edición británica original de esta recopilación de relatos se dividió en dos volúmenes. En cambio la edición española (de Bruguera) se compone de cuatro volúmenes. Los siguientes relatos pertenecen al volumen 2 de la edición española, pero se corresponden con parte del volumen 1 de la edición británica.

Cordwainer Smith: El crimen y la gloria del comandante Suzdal (The Crime and Glory of Commander Suzdal) ****.

Alfred Coppel: El rebelde de Valkiria (The Rebel of Valkyr) ***.

Idris Seabright: La luminosidad cae del aire (Brightness Falls From the Air) ***.

Clifford Simak: Inmigrante (Immigrant) ****.

James White: Médico residente (Resident Physician) ***.

Hal Lynch: La edad de la jubilación (Age of Retirement) ***.

Pete Adams & Charles Nightingale: Época de siembra (Planting Time) ****.

[Joel Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of these stories are designed for different tastes than mine. I recommend Not Yet the End by Fredric Brown, Tonight the Stars Revolt! by Gardner F Fox, and Lord of a Thousand Suns by Poul Anderson. The rest just aren't my bag.

[Mark Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this on sale or free from the library. It has been my book to keep in the car, to read while waiting in the car. I was not really enamored with any of the stories but it kept me occupied. It now goes into the pike dedicated to a garage sale.

[Amanda Ure · Rating 2 out of 5]

My chief memory of this book is that there is one extremely homophobic story in it, hence its low rating. Other stories might be fine but I can't remember them.

[Tell Tale Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Gregory Kerkman

[Olaoluwa Bankole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing stories

[James Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of SF stories from the 1940s, 50's and one from the 60s. Aldiss' commentaries are excellent.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting tales for sure. However nothing that I personally would rush back to read again. I found it more on the depressing side. I get that alot of sci-fi carries warnings for humanity but I would have liked a mix with some more optimistic stories as well.

[Howard Brazee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting reading a book with stories written between 1941 and 1955. I think I have read them all before and liked them. But now it is jarring to read of people smoking on space ships, and especially to read old values in far future.

For instance, in one story people had evolved so far they weren't recognizable - but still had male and female roles that were from the United States a half century ago.

[Benja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Selección de pequeños relatos de ciencia ficción hecha por Brian W. Aldiss. Cuentos cortos para pasar el rato, unos más entretendios y otros menos, pero de lectura ligera que me ayudan a conciliar el sueño antes de dormir.
Autores:
Cordwainer Smith
Alfred Coppel
Idris Seabright
Clifford D. Simak
James White
Hal Lynch
Pete Adams / Charles Nigthtingale

[Jereme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at random from a used book store, but it turned out to have some solid classic sci-fi. A few were a bit cheesey, of course, but there were some stories that held up well. It was quite a pleasant surprise.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

More imperial mayhem

[Andy]

(PB) 2ND IN THE ANTHOLGY SERIES GALACTIC EMPIRES