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Flying Saucers
Human encounters with aliens of all types are explored in a collection of science fiction by authors including Isaac Asimov, A. Bertram Chandler, Theodore Sturgeon, Joe Haldeman, and Leo P. Kelley
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
83 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,343 books27.9k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 22, 2018
A bit of mixed bag, as tends to happen with these thematic collections. Beyond a requirement that all the stories be somehow tangentially related to flying saucer phenomenon, there is almost no connective tissue between stories.
There is very little in the way of real horror or action in these stories. No wild tales of abduction. The stories take a humorous approach to the concept of aliens more often than not, though I suspect this is a result of Asimov's skepticism and personal tastes as a writer.
There are a few, more thoughtful tales sprinkled in the mix. Sam is a rather thoughtful exploration of Christianity and the concept of "needing Judas". I've seen the subject handled better, but it was done well here.
The Merchant was a nice little social satire. It hits familiar beats and goes for the low hanging fruit, but I enjoyed it none the less.
One story even features no science-fiction elements at all. The Time for Delusion is not about aliens or space travel, but about the strange, cult like communities that have emerged around reports of aliens and space travel. I found its critique rather biting, if somewhat shallow.
Shallow is the word for most of these stories. None of them are what I would call bad, but none go the extra mile. None take that extra step to move from simply enjoyable into something more meaningful. This is the kind of collection you will enjoy reading and then forget about as soon as you put it down.
There is very little in the way of real horror or action in these stories. No wild tales of abduction. The stories take a humorous approach to the concept of aliens more often than not, though I suspect this is a result of Asimov's skepticism and personal tastes as a writer.
There are a few, more thoughtful tales sprinkled in the mix. Sam is a rather thoughtful exploration of Christianity and the concept of "needing Judas". I've seen the subject handled better, but it was done well here.
The Merchant was a nice little social satire. It hits familiar beats and goes for the low hanging fruit, but I enjoyed it none the less.
One story even features no science-fiction elements at all. The Time for Delusion is not about aliens or space travel, but about the strange, cult like communities that have emerged around reports of aliens and space travel. I found its critique rather biting, if somewhat shallow.
Shallow is the word for most of these stories. None of them are what I would call bad, but none go the extra mile. None take that extra step to move from simply enjoyable into something more meaningful. This is the kind of collection you will enjoy reading and then forget about as soon as you put it down.
May 25, 2020
This anthology treats it's subject in a mostly humorous and tongue in cheek manner, which makes the more sober entries (like Sturgeons 'Saucer of Loneliness') stick out like a sore thumb. All in all it's more misses than hits.
January 6, 2026
What is this Thing Called Love? - Isaac Asimov: Having abducted a man & a woman, an alien & his commander want to observe human mating, but their guests are reluctant. (A humorous tale because of the aliens’ clumsy assumptions) Good
Pagan - Algis Budrys: A UFO crashes. A farmer uses his shotgun but gets knocked out. The National Guard arrives but are powerless. The farmer's family is being transformed by the visitor. Good
The Beholders - A. Bertram Chandler: A trio debate the styles of science fiction stories & then encounter a flying saucer…and see it & its occupant from their own perspectives. So-So
Sense of Wonder - A. Bertram Chandler: An editor & a science fiction writer debate the lack of “wonder” in modern Sci-Fi stories compared to the old days. Later, the writer mulls his own lack of wonder, which shows when he’s taken onto an alien ship. Dull/Bad
Trouble with the Natives - Arthur C. Clarke: 2 alien scientists, supposedly familiar with our local customs, attempt First Contact with humans. It starts off awkwardly. (A slightly humorous story) Good
The Lizard of Woz - Edmund Cooper: A lizard alien on a survey mission of Earth, with the chance of recommending extermination of all life all but decided. Good
The Grantha Sighting - Avram Davidson: A couple recall an "encounter" to UFO enthusiasts for a radio show. Dull/Bad
The Merchant - Larry Eisenberg: An alien lands in the U.S. with a trade offer. A warhawk President sees an opportunity. The aliens have their own agenda. (Twilight Zone ending!) Good
The Mouse - Howard Fast: A ship of very small alien explorers improve the brain of a mouse so it acts as an information gatherer for them. Good
The Time for Delusion - Donald Franson: A man writes a book claiming he got a phone call from an alien on Venus, then reveals it as a hoax to make a point about hoaxes. Dull/Bad
Small Miracle - Randall Garrett: An Air Force pilot is contacted by an alien during a flight. Good
All the Universe in a Mason Jar - Joe Haldeman: A bar patron tells of an alien encounter from the previous night during a booze-filled barbecue. There really was an alien. And it loves corn liquor. And so do other alien races. Good
Correspondence Course - Raymond F. Jones: A disabled man gains knowledge of engineering through a correspondence course & is contacted by the provider of the service for help. Good
Sam - Leo P. Kelley: A sacristan is considered a troublemaker (and an alien by a pair of local nosy old sisters), getting into various scrapes. But is it really his fault? And why does he get involved in them? Good
The Mississippi Saucer - Frank Belknap Long: A boy & his sister live on a houseboat on the Mississippi with their uncle. A UFO is spotted right before a long-simmering feud between their uncle & a pair of fishermen brothers explodes into violence. Good
Posted - Mack Reynolds: An alien scout’s death prevents a dark future for Earth. Good
Speak Up, Melvin! - C. C. Rossel-Waugh: A man kills his mother & saves an alien. (The ending reminds me of the end of the Star Trek TOS episode "I,Mudd") So-So
Exposure - Eric Frank Russell: Shape-shifting aliens "take samples" of Earth species & eventually try to infiltrate human society. Good
The Gumdrop King - Will Stanton: An imaginative boy befriends an alien who just stopped by to refuel his ship. So-So
The Saucer of Loneliness - Theodore Sturgeon: A man saves a suicidal girl from drowning. Years earlier, the girl had a Close Encounter in front of many people & it ruined her life. So-So
Fear is a Business - Theodore Sturgeon: A man gets rich after creating a UFO hoax based on fear of destruction & an alien race is very irritated because it makes the good they want do harder. Good
The Painter - Thomas Burnett Swann: Famous painter Hieronymus Bosch meets aliens. So-So
The Deadly Ones - Floyd L. Wallace: A predatory supernatural legend of Earth stows away on a flying saucer to find a new hunting ground. So-So
The Junk Man Cometh - Robin Scott Wilson: A junk dealer & others end up on something's<\i> hit list when they end up possessing strange canisters. So-So
Flying Pan - Robert F. Young: An alien on a mission to attack Earth needs batteries for his ship. Or is it something else? So-So
Overall opinion: A lot of well-done stories from a variety of authors. Many well-detailed stories with strong plots. Thankfully only a couple of dull/bad stories, which are confusing or a skippable snoozefest. Isaac Asimov & his fellow editors did great here with this anthology.
Pagan - Algis Budrys: A UFO crashes. A farmer uses his shotgun but gets knocked out. The National Guard arrives but are powerless. The farmer's family is being transformed by the visitor. Good
The Beholders - A. Bertram Chandler: A trio debate the styles of science fiction stories & then encounter a flying saucer…and see it & its occupant from their own perspectives. So-So
Sense of Wonder - A. Bertram Chandler: An editor & a science fiction writer debate the lack of “wonder” in modern Sci-Fi stories compared to the old days. Later, the writer mulls his own lack of wonder, which shows when he’s taken onto an alien ship. Dull/Bad
Trouble with the Natives - Arthur C. Clarke: 2 alien scientists, supposedly familiar with our local customs, attempt First Contact with humans. It starts off awkwardly. (A slightly humorous story) Good
The Lizard of Woz - Edmund Cooper: A lizard alien on a survey mission of Earth, with the chance of recommending extermination of all life all but decided. Good
The Grantha Sighting - Avram Davidson: A couple recall an "encounter" to UFO enthusiasts for a radio show. Dull/Bad
The Merchant - Larry Eisenberg: An alien lands in the U.S. with a trade offer. A warhawk President sees an opportunity. The aliens have their own agenda. (Twilight Zone ending!) Good
The Mouse - Howard Fast: A ship of very small alien explorers improve the brain of a mouse so it acts as an information gatherer for them. Good
The Time for Delusion - Donald Franson: A man writes a book claiming he got a phone call from an alien on Venus, then reveals it as a hoax to make a point about hoaxes. Dull/Bad
Small Miracle - Randall Garrett: An Air Force pilot is contacted by an alien during a flight. Good
All the Universe in a Mason Jar - Joe Haldeman: A bar patron tells of an alien encounter from the previous night during a booze-filled barbecue. There really was an alien. And it loves corn liquor. And so do other alien races. Good
Correspondence Course - Raymond F. Jones: A disabled man gains knowledge of engineering through a correspondence course & is contacted by the provider of the service for help. Good
Sam - Leo P. Kelley: A sacristan is considered a troublemaker (and an alien by a pair of local nosy old sisters), getting into various scrapes. But is it really his fault? And why does he get involved in them? Good
The Mississippi Saucer - Frank Belknap Long: A boy & his sister live on a houseboat on the Mississippi with their uncle. A UFO is spotted right before a long-simmering feud between their uncle & a pair of fishermen brothers explodes into violence. Good
Posted - Mack Reynolds: An alien scout’s death prevents a dark future for Earth. Good
Speak Up, Melvin! - C. C. Rossel-Waugh: A man kills his mother & saves an alien. (The ending reminds me of the end of the Star Trek TOS episode "I,Mudd") So-So
Exposure - Eric Frank Russell: Shape-shifting aliens "take samples" of Earth species & eventually try to infiltrate human society. Good
The Gumdrop King - Will Stanton: An imaginative boy befriends an alien who just stopped by to refuel his ship. So-So
The Saucer of Loneliness - Theodore Sturgeon: A man saves a suicidal girl from drowning. Years earlier, the girl had a Close Encounter in front of many people & it ruined her life. So-So
Fear is a Business - Theodore Sturgeon: A man gets rich after creating a UFO hoax based on fear of destruction & an alien race is very irritated because it makes the good they want do harder. Good
The Painter - Thomas Burnett Swann: Famous painter Hieronymus Bosch meets aliens. So-So
The Deadly Ones - Floyd L. Wallace: A predatory supernatural legend of Earth stows away on a flying saucer to find a new hunting ground. So-So
The Junk Man Cometh - Robin Scott Wilson: A junk dealer & others end up on something's<\i> hit list when they end up possessing strange canisters. So-So
Flying Pan - Robert F. Young: An alien on a mission to attack Earth needs batteries for his ship. Or is it something else? So-So
Overall opinion: A lot of well-done stories from a variety of authors. Many well-detailed stories with strong plots. Thankfully only a couple of dull/bad stories, which are confusing or a skippable snoozefest. Isaac Asimov & his fellow editors did great here with this anthology.
December 24, 2021
-Gregory Kerkman
July 23, 2014
I love these anthologies of SF short stories, and this is a particularly good one. These tend to be funny ones; I particularly enjoyed "Exposure" by Eric Frank Russell and "All the Universe in a Mason Jar" by Joe Haldeman. Among more serious stories, I liked "Sense of Wonder" by A. Bertram Chandler.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews