The Ultimate Alien: New and Cutting-Edge Stories by Some of the World's Leading Authors

Brainship

by Arthur C. Clarke (editor), Anne McCaffrey, Robert Silverberg

A collection of the best science fiction writing on UFO sightings and alien encounters features classic and previously unpublished stories by such writers as S. P. Somtow, Michael Crichton, and Don D'ammassa. Original.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories, Anthologies, Horror

313 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Stories, works of noted British writer, scientist, and underwater explorer Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, include 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).

This most important and influential figure in 20th century fiction spent the first half of his life in England and served in World War II as a radar operator before migrating to Ceylon in 1956. He co-created his best known novel and movie with the assistance of Stanley Kubrick.

Clarke, a graduate of King's College, London, obtained first class honours in physics and mathematics. He served as past chairman of the interplanetary society and as a member of the academy of astronautics, the royal astronomical society, and many other organizations.

He authored more than fifty books and won his numerous awards: the Kalinga prize of 1961, the American association for the advancement Westinghouse prize, the Bradford Washburn award, and the John W. Campbell award for his novel Rendezvous with Rama. Clarke also won the nebula award of the fiction of America in 1972, 1974 and 1979, the Hugo award of the world fiction convention in 1974 and 1980. In 1986, he stood as grand master of the fiction of America. The queen knighted him as the commander of the British Empire in 1989.

Reviews

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Now I've read all of the "Ultimate" short story collections. I like horror best, but ironically, my favorite books of the series were Dragon and Alien, which are fantasy and science fiction. Maybe I'm just more critical of the horror?

In any case, this is a great collection of stories that range from very dark to quite humorous, and the mixture works well.

I would recommend the "Ultimate" series for short stories from Byron Priess for any one who likes horror, fantasy or sci fi short story collections.

[Simeonberesford · Rating 2 out of 5]

None were particularly outstanding though the story by Liz Holliday in probably stood out the most.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This surprisingly refreshing collection contains a very thoughtful 'Introduction' from Robert Silverberg, followed by fifteen stories ranging from short story to novella length.
My feelings with respect to each of them were~
1. Liz Holliday's "This is the Universe": Aliens as allegory in a poignant tale.
2. Mike Resnick and Nicholas A. DiChario's "Alien Radio": Funny and energetic story.
3. Arthur C. Clarke's "Before Eden": A slow, pedantic story with a deeply sad ending.
4. S.P. Somtow's "The Mallworld Falcon": Absolute Rubbish.
5. Robert Silverberg's "Bride 91": Humorous story that explores our own views regarding ourselves.
6. Mel Gilden's "The Ghost in the Machine": Short, funny story.
7. Anne McCaffrey's "Duty Calls": Drab militaristic piece.
8. Lawrence Watt-Evans's "The Pick-Up": A farce that doesn't take itself too seriously.
9. Ed Gorman's "The Brasher Girl": The darkest and most psychologically chilling tale of this collection.
10. Don D'Ammassa's "The Phantom of the Space Opera": Enjoyable parody of the classic.
11. Peter Crowther's "The Invasion": Poignant and a very different story than the name suggests.
12. Karen Haber and Carol Carr's "First Contact, Sort Of": Hugely enjoyable story full of humour.
13. Lynn D. Crosson's "Empathos": Another deeply touching story.
14. Ron Dee's "Interstellar Love": Short, sharp, cruel and chilling story that eventually tells us more about ourselves than the aliens, again.
15. Nina Kiriki Hoffman's "Fast Seeds": Overwritten melodrama full of mush.
Overlooking a few obvious duds, this is a surprisingly diverse anthology having stories for different readers, based on their choices.
Recommended.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for the Nina Kiriki Hoffman story, plus, hey! Anne McCaffrey!

I actually liked almost all of the stories... I tend to buy anthologies with specific authors (NKH, CdL, THuff....) and (eventually ^-^ )read all the stories. This one had several cool stories.

[Geoffrey van Dijk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went from four to five stars because of Fast Seeds, the final short from Nina Kiriki Hoffman. A great collection with many memorable moments - S.P. Somtow's "The Mallworld Falcon" and Ed Gorman's "The Brasher Girl" also stood out, to me.

[Bruna Den Bosch NS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went from four to five stars because of Fast Seeds, the final short from Nina Kiriki Hoffman. A great collection with many memorable moments - S.P. Somtow's "The Mallworld Falcon" and Ed Gorman's "The Brasher Girl" also stood out to me. ~ Geoffrey

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The short stories were pretty good. Lots of my fav authors here too. =)

[Matt Mazenauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wide variety of aliens represented, from hostile to benign to silly. Highlights were Duty Calls by Anne McCaffrey, The Invasion by Peter Crowther and Fast Seeds by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

[Jacquie]

Duty Calls * [The Ship Who . . .] * (1988) * novelette by Anne McCaffrey