The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume One, 1929-1964

Silverberg, Robert ed.. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume One, 1929-1964s. New York : Tom Doherty Associates 1970. Print.

 

First Sentences:

This is as nearly definitive an anthology of modern science fiction stories as is likely to be compiled for quite some time. Its contents were chosen by vote of the membership of the Science Fiction Writers of America, an organization of some three hundred professional writers whose roster includes virtually everyone now living who has ever has science fiction published in the United States.


Description:

For science fiction fans like me, you probably got hooked on the genre in your youth and in school classes, reading short stories by the great writers of the previous and current eras: Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, Heinlein,Keyes, Leiber, van Vogt, and many others.

 

Well, here in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume One, 1929-1964 (edited by Robert Silverberg) you can read the best of the best of these great writers. These were selected by chosen by the National Science Fiction Writers of America from stories published in America during that period. This era was before the SF Nebula Awards for science fiction were started, so this book preserves what SF writers felt were the stories and authors which should be honored. 

 

Sure, the book is 560 pages long, but you don't have to read it cover to cover (although I did). Chronologically arranged with selected stories first published in 1934 and ending 1963, you can wallow in the visions of these writers of what the future might look like.

 

Here is a sampling of the stories offered in this wonderful collection:

• Nightfall (Isaac Asimov) - A planet with multiple suns has never seen a darkened sky....until scientists predict a coming total eclipse. It is said that if Asimov had never written anything after this, one of his first short stories, he and his reputation would be lauded forever;

• Mars Is Heaven (Ray Bradbury) - The third expedition to Mars, after the first two were mysteriously lost, reveals to crewmen that their families and hometowns are now located on this planet;

•  Mimsy Were the Borogoves (Lewis Padgett) - A box of toys transported from the distant future falls into the hands of two children, and their lives, and the lives of their parents, are changed dramatically;

• Arena (Fredric Brown) - A lone space traveler, scouting ahead of Earth battleships facing an equally-strong alien fleet about to do battle in the far reaches of space, suddenly finds himself trapped in a large sandy enclosure and facing an unknown alien. Their one-on-one duel to the death will determine the fate of both fleets of ships overhead as well as that of the civilizations of the winners and losers; 

• The Nine Billion Names of God (Arthur C. Clarke) - A remote lamasery of monks, working for three centuries on a complete list of possible names for God, now employs a computer to reach their goal ...but what will happen then?

• Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes) - Probably everyone has heard of but not actually read this wonderfully-written story of a mentally retarded man who undergoes an experiment which makes him super-intelligent.  

Each story captures a vision of the future along with its machines and people who attempt to reconcile themselves to their landscape, government, society, and dreams. Each is a unique vision full of challenges, questions, humanity, technology, and just plain old interesting situations and characters.

 

You will not be disappointed by any of these tales. If you don't like one, just skip to the next. There are many choices for any reader's tastes and dreams of the future. Well worth your time to experience these creative stories for the first time or re-visit old favorites by the masters.

[If this book interests you, be sure to check out:]

 Silverbert, Robert ed. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume Two A and B

Expansion of the original Volume One short stories, now featuring novellas (short novels) during the same period, and equally great for any science fiction lover.

 Happy reading.

Fred

[P.S. Click here to browse over 480 more book recommendations by subject or title and read the introduction to The First Sentence Reader.]