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All the Myriad Ways
An early collection of short works. Includes: All the Myriad Ways (1968); Passerby (1969); For a Foggy Night (1968); Wait It Out [Known Space] (1968); The Jigsaw Man [Known Space] (1967); Not Long Before the End (1969); Unfinished Story No. 1 (1970); Unfinished Story No. 2 (1971); Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex (essay, 1969); Exercise in Speculation: The Theory and Practice of Teleportation (essay, 1969); The Theory and Practice of Time Travel (essay, 1971) Inconstant Moon (1971); What Can You Say About Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers? (1971); Becalmed in Hell [Known Space] (1965).
181 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published June 1, 1971
15 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
About the author
Larry Niven
687 books3,279 followersLaurence van Cott Niven's best known work is Ringworld (Ringworld, #1) (1970), which received the Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics. The creation of thoroughly worked-out alien species, which are very different from humans both physically and mentally, is recognized as one of Niven's main strengths.
Niven also often includes elements of detective fiction and adventure stories. His fantasy includes The Magic Goes Away series, which utilizes an exhaustible resource, called Mana, to make the magic a non-renewable resource.
Niven created an alien species, the Kzin, which were featured in a series of twelve collection books, the Man-Kzin Wars. He co-authored a number of novels with Jerry Pournelle. In fact, much of his writing since the 1970s has been in collaboration, particularly with Pournelle, Steven Barnes, Brenda Cooper, or Edward M. Lerner.
He briefly attended the California Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (with a minor in psychology) from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, in 1962. He did a year of graduate work in mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has since lived in Los Angeles suburbs, including Chatsworth and Tarzana, as a full-time writer. He married Marilyn Joyce "Fuzzy Pink" Wisowaty, herself a well-known science fiction and Regency literature fan, on September 6, 1969.
Niven won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story for Neutron Star in 1967. In 1972, for Inconstant Moon, and in 1975 for The Hole Man. In 1976, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette for The Borderland of Sol.
Niven has written scripts for various science fiction television shows, including the original Land of the Lost series and Star Trek: The Animated Series, for which he adapted his early Kzin story The Soft Weapon. He adapted his story Inconstant Moon for an episode of the television series The Outer Limits in 1996.
He has also written for the DC Comics character Green Lantern including in his stories hard science fiction concepts such as universal entropy and the redshift effect, which are unusual in comic books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larryn...
Niven also often includes elements of detective fiction and adventure stories. His fantasy includes The Magic Goes Away series, which utilizes an exhaustible resource, called Mana, to make the magic a non-renewable resource.
Niven created an alien species, the Kzin, which were featured in a series of twelve collection books, the Man-Kzin Wars. He co-authored a number of novels with Jerry Pournelle. In fact, much of his writing since the 1970s has been in collaboration, particularly with Pournelle, Steven Barnes, Brenda Cooper, or Edward M. Lerner.
He briefly attended the California Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics (with a minor in psychology) from Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, in 1962. He did a year of graduate work in mathematics at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has since lived in Los Angeles suburbs, including Chatsworth and Tarzana, as a full-time writer. He married Marilyn Joyce "Fuzzy Pink" Wisowaty, herself a well-known science fiction and Regency literature fan, on September 6, 1969.
Niven won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story for Neutron Star in 1967. In 1972, for Inconstant Moon, and in 1975 for The Hole Man. In 1976, he won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette for The Borderland of Sol.
Niven has written scripts for various science fiction television shows, including the original Land of the Lost series and Star Trek: The Animated Series, for which he adapted his early Kzin story The Soft Weapon. He adapted his story Inconstant Moon for an episode of the television series The Outer Limits in 1996.
He has also written for the DC Comics character Green Lantern including in his stories hard science fiction concepts such as universal entropy and the redshift effect, which are unusual in comic books.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/larryn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 30, 2021
Convoluted short story about what could happen when people in multiple universes become aware of the possibilities of each other and the consequences, or inconsequentialities of their existences.
October 8, 2021
Rating based on the title story, one of his very best. But the whole collxn is first-rate. Time for a re-reread!
TOC, with a few comments:
"All the Myriad Ways" Nominated for the Hugo for best short -- twice!
"Passerby"
"For a Foggy Night". Classic parallel-worlds story. 6 stars!
"Wait it Out"
"The Jigsaw Man", Organlegger story. Hugo Award Nominee for Best Short story (1968).
"Not Long Before the End", 1969, might be the best of his "Magic Universe" or "Warlock" stories.
"Unfinished Story #1"
"Unfinished Story #2"
"Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" !! Con-souvenir classic. Online: http://www.rawbw.com/~svw/superman.html
"Exercise in Speculation: The Theory and Practice of Teleportation"
"The Theory and Practice of Time Travel"
"Inconstant Moon" (Made into an Outer Limits episode)
"What Can You Say About Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers?" Indeed, what can you say??
"Becalmed in Hell" Online copy: https://www.baen.com/Chapters/9781481...
I can't remember if I own the collection, but the better stories have been reprinted many, many times. There is a complete copy online, at the Internet Archive, but their format is so wonky, you would do be better to spend a few bux on a used mmpb. IMO. No ebook at Amazon, 10/7/21.
TOC, with a few comments:
"All the Myriad Ways" Nominated for the Hugo for best short -- twice!
"Passerby"
"For a Foggy Night". Classic parallel-worlds story. 6 stars!
"Wait it Out"
"The Jigsaw Man", Organlegger story. Hugo Award Nominee for Best Short story (1968).
"Not Long Before the End", 1969, might be the best of his "Magic Universe" or "Warlock" stories.
"Unfinished Story #1"
"Unfinished Story #2"
"Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex" !! Con-souvenir classic. Online: http://www.rawbw.com/~svw/superman.html
"Exercise in Speculation: The Theory and Practice of Teleportation"
"The Theory and Practice of Time Travel"
"Inconstant Moon" (Made into an Outer Limits episode)
"What Can You Say About Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers?" Indeed, what can you say??
"Becalmed in Hell" Online copy: https://www.baen.com/Chapters/9781481...
I can't remember if I own the collection, but the better stories have been reprinted many, many times. There is a complete copy online, at the Internet Archive, but their format is so wonky, you would do be better to spend a few bux on a used mmpb. IMO. No ebook at Amazon, 10/7/21.
August 1, 2007
"All the Myriad Ways" is pretty ancient, by modern science fiction standards, but it's also more than that. It's one of Niven's collections of mixed fiction and commentary, science explanation, and basically "wild ideas" that he has either come up with or is happy to pass along to others. (Had string theory been around when it was written, I feel sure Niven would have discussed it.)
I chose this one to review because it's the one I can find my copy of and remember what's in it. But use it as a generic review of all of Niven's short works, whether fiction, fact, or essay, because it's what he does best. (Even his novels seem drawn not so much with the broad brush of huge activity as with the thin stroke detailed studies of individuals.) Thanks, Larry.
I chose this one to review because it's the one I can find my copy of and remember what's in it. But use it as a generic review of all of Niven's short works, whether fiction, fact, or essay, because it's what he does best. (Even his novels seem drawn not so much with the broad brush of huge activity as with the thin stroke detailed studies of individuals.) Thanks, Larry.
January 30, 2019
The title story is amazing. Instantly rises to my top 5 fave short stories of all time, right alongside The Veldt by Ray Bradbury. A quick, easy read that provokes challenging philosophical ideas. The easy writing style and enthralling, dreamlike sci-fi setting is enough to prompt me to read Niven’s other works.
“Casual murder, casual suicide, casual crime. Why not? If alternate universes are a reality, then cause and effect are an illusion. The law of averages is a fraud. You can do anything, and one of you will, or did.”
“Casual murder, casual suicide, casual crime. Why not? If alternate universes are a reality, then cause and effect are an illusion. The law of averages is a fraud. You can do anything, and one of you will, or did.”
May 9, 2009
The title story is nice, and Inconstant Moon is always a joy. There's a segment of nonfiction in the middle that drags horribly -- Niven has poor command of density for nonfic.
August 22, 2020
This unusual collection combines 14 short fiction and non-fiction pieces into a mostly satisfying grab-bag. The highlights include "Passerby," a clever take on deus ex machina; "The Jigsaw Man," which speculates about a world in which organ replacement has become commonplace, and the implications which result from the possibility of near-eternal life; "Not Long Before the End," a remarkably original take on swords and sorcery which hinges upon an examination of the source of magic; "Man of Steel/Woman of Kleenex," which explores, in hilarious and graphic detail, the physical implications of Superman's reproductive urges; "Inconstant Moon," a splendid apocalyptic story with a satisfying twist ending; "What Can You Say About Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers?" which offers a creative take on the origin of species; and "Becalmed in Hell," a tale of two astronauts, one of whom is a preserved and functional human nervous system, who nearly get stranded on Venus.
The low points include "For a Foggy Night," which might have worked better had it been a bit less muddled; the two "Unfinished" stories, which are toss-aways. In addition, the two non-fiction pieces in this volume, "Theory and Practice of Teleportation" and "Theory and Practice of Time Travel," seem jarringly out of place among so much fiction. Both of them are somewhat brow-furrowing, especially the former, and they might have been better-served by forming the basis of a non-fiction collection, although they do offer insight into the process of a sci-fi writer.
The remaining stories fall somewhere in between, but, as is often the case, even Niven's near misses are entertaining. Despite the weak points, this is still highly recommended.
The low points include "For a Foggy Night," which might have worked better had it been a bit less muddled; the two "Unfinished" stories, which are toss-aways. In addition, the two non-fiction pieces in this volume, "Theory and Practice of Teleportation" and "Theory and Practice of Time Travel," seem jarringly out of place among so much fiction. Both of them are somewhat brow-furrowing, especially the former, and they might have been better-served by forming the basis of a non-fiction collection, although they do offer insight into the process of a sci-fi writer.
The remaining stories fall somewhere in between, but, as is often the case, even Niven's near misses are entertaining. Despite the weak points, this is still highly recommended.
January 12, 2020
This is pretty good. Just some short stories and two essays. I'd read more Niven based on this.
October 21, 2022
Too short!
May 8, 2023
I've read a good deal of Larry Niven over the years. I lost faith when he was writing his fascist military books together with Jerry Pournelle but I got this from a friend and it was worth a few hours reading. There are some pretty wild ideas but most of the stories are so easily forgettable I had forgotten the ones in the beginning by the time I reached the end. I didn't hurry. What's the point of a short-story collection if you can't drag it out.
All the Myriad Ways refers to the theory of the multiverse in which every decision everyone faces spawns a new universe. Niven puts a couple of spins on this. It it's proved true, for example, what's the point - of anything? You live, you die, you're happy, you're not - if not here then somewhere you are and are the opposite.
There is a sword and sorcery story which foretells his series that begins with The Magic Goes Away. I assume, I haven't read those but have heard it referenced and that is in fact what is happening in an ancient world of sorcery.
The most famous story is no doubt Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex in which Niven points out the difficulties of Superman ever having children with a human woman - Lois, for exampel. Mr Niven assumes that all of Superman is super so that each of his sperms would batter its way into her egg which wouldn't matter really as his ejaculation would blow off the top of her head.
There's a long essay - lecture - on teleportation and another on time-travel, both based on physics (as we know it) and neither very edifying or exciting. Better to read fiction!
Not being a dummy Niven saves the best for last. The final three stories are all unique and exciting. In Inconstant Moon he shows us, among other things, how a writer can hoodwink a reader.
In What Can you Say about Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers? he invites us into the world of an intellectual elite and then shifts it completely. What if all creation myths were true?
Finally in Becalmed in Hell he takes us to Venus to discuss how things work, or don't work, in the future in an atmosphere of "searing black calm". Not a pleasant place but an interesting environment for us to meet two humans in trouble. Or are they? Human I mean, they are absolutely in deep trouble.
Quite a bit of fun, actually.
All the Myriad Ways refers to the theory of the multiverse in which every decision everyone faces spawns a new universe. Niven puts a couple of spins on this. It it's proved true, for example, what's the point - of anything? You live, you die, you're happy, you're not - if not here then somewhere you are and are the opposite.
There is a sword and sorcery story which foretells his series that begins with The Magic Goes Away. I assume, I haven't read those but have heard it referenced and that is in fact what is happening in an ancient world of sorcery.
The most famous story is no doubt Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex in which Niven points out the difficulties of Superman ever having children with a human woman - Lois, for exampel. Mr Niven assumes that all of Superman is super so that each of his sperms would batter its way into her egg which wouldn't matter really as his ejaculation would blow off the top of her head.
There's a long essay - lecture - on teleportation and another on time-travel, both based on physics (as we know it) and neither very edifying or exciting. Better to read fiction!
Not being a dummy Niven saves the best for last. The final three stories are all unique and exciting. In Inconstant Moon he shows us, among other things, how a writer can hoodwink a reader.
In What Can you Say about Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers? he invites us into the world of an intellectual elite and then shifts it completely. What if all creation myths were true?
Finally in Becalmed in Hell he takes us to Venus to discuss how things work, or don't work, in the future in an atmosphere of "searing black calm". Not a pleasant place but an interesting environment for us to meet two humans in trouble. Or are they? Human I mean, they are absolutely in deep trouble.
Quite a bit of fun, actually.
May 18, 2022
I'm not sure what to say. In one universe I loved this book. I another universe very close by I hated it. In another universe I drove my car off a bridge to get away from it.
November 6, 2017
Unlike many reviewers, I think the essays on teleportation and time travel are some of the best parts...
November 7, 2011
The Superman/Lois Lane "essay" is quite risque and very funny--not at all typical of my mental picture of this hard-science SF writer.
October 1, 2021
In this short story, Niven takes a look at the darker aspects of the multiple universes theory, especially as they impact human psychology.
May 16, 2025
In my journey through Larry Niven's collection "All the Myriad Ways," I found myself drawn primarily to one standout story involving fog and parallel universes. This particular tale offered substantial philosophical depth, inviting genuine contemplation about the nature of reality and choice.
However, the remaining stories, while competently crafted, didn't provide the same level of intellectual engagement I was seeking. They felt more like traditional narratives without the philosophical underpinnings that would have given me more to ponder.
I would have gladly read an expanded novel-length version of the fog story, as its concepts deserved further exploration. While "All the Myriad Ways" is undoubtedly well-written, it highlighted my preference for longer-form fiction that allows ideas to breathe and evolve throughout a complete narrative arc.
However, the remaining stories, while competently crafted, didn't provide the same level of intellectual engagement I was seeking. They felt more like traditional narratives without the philosophical underpinnings that would have given me more to ponder.
I would have gladly read an expanded novel-length version of the fog story, as its concepts deserved further exploration. While "All the Myriad Ways" is undoubtedly well-written, it highlighted my preference for longer-form fiction that allows ideas to breathe and evolve throughout a complete narrative arc.
September 6, 2025
I love how timeless sci-fi is! These stories from the 60s don’t feel out of place at all, even with all the advances in technology. A what-if with real scientific concepts that gives twilight zone vibes at times. My favourite stories were the multiverse one (life would definitely seem pointless in a world with infinite yous making each and every decision not matter in the end), the inconstant moon (how would you spend the end of the world if you knew it was coming?) and the Man of Steel/Woman of Kleenex (an absolutely ridiculous and hilarious examination of Superman’s biology and the implications of his incompatibility with Lois Lane). It’s a short and easy read but this book took me a while and really solidified that if I think too much about space, the universe, or time then I get poisitively sick to my stomach.
September 26, 2019
A collection of so-so Niven short fiction with a couple of excellent stories. "Not Long before the End" tells of one of the greatest showdowns in the age of magic. In "Becalmed in Hell", an astronaut and his ship (yes, it's sentient), stranded in the "searing black calm" of Venus's atmosphere, attempt to repair an engine failure before they get crushed or incinerated (or probably both).
This collection overlaps somewhat with Tales of Known Space ("Becalmed in Hell", "The Jigsaw Man").
This collection overlaps somewhat with Tales of Known Space ("Becalmed in Hell", "The Jigsaw Man").
December 30, 2022
A collection of Larry Niven's earlier stories and essays, some excellent, others merely good. Standouts for me are the stories Passer By and For a Foggy Night, and the first of his Warlock stories, Not Long Before the End. The essay on The Theory and Practice of Time Travel is a careful exploration of the different ways time travel might be made to work in fiction and the consequences that follow, while the tongue in cheek Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex is a an amusing take on what might happen if Superman and Lois Lane ever got together.
A good collection for fans of science fiction.
A good collection for fans of science fiction.
March 29, 2025
Did not appeal that much to me, have read some other more recent works including midnight library and dark matter.
Both stories I read were about multi-verse.
"All the Myriad Ways" was 4/5 due to power of philosophical bend of mind on happiness and action
"For a Foggy Night" was 3/5, though well written, with some twists. Reminded me of more engaging story, Neil Gaiman's Sandman(Dream), meeting a person every 100 years.
Inconstant moon, did not pull, to let it go.
Read scanned version of a stained paperback on internet archive by borrowing it, interesting experience.
Both stories I read were about multi-verse.
"All the Myriad Ways" was 4/5 due to power of philosophical bend of mind on happiness and action
"For a Foggy Night" was 3/5, though well written, with some twists. Reminded me of more engaging story, Neil Gaiman's Sandman(Dream), meeting a person every 100 years.
Inconstant moon, did not pull, to let it go.
Read scanned version of a stained paperback on internet archive by borrowing it, interesting experience.
August 25, 2025
This Niven short story and short essay compendium contains some gems and few genuine duds. I bought it mainly for "The Theory and Practice of Time Travel" as well as the classic "All the Myriad Ways", but others like "Inconstant Moon" are also really great.
It's difficult to really worldbuild in a short story, but what Niven does well here is to use it to showcase one thing: whether a technology or a way of having the world work. Sometimes it can be something to quickly move on from, but other times it can really be something to chew over.
It's difficult to really worldbuild in a short story, but what Niven does well here is to use it to showcase one thing: whether a technology or a way of having the world work. Sometimes it can be something to quickly move on from, but other times it can really be something to chew over.
September 22, 2017
The title story and "Inconstant Moon" were really great, I think they alone make it worth to buy the book. Especially the first one throws up many interesting questions concerning practical philosophy -
what do "free will" and "free decision" mean? What are their value? Is a free decision only pure chance and nothing more?
I feel the other stories do not match up in quality to these two, but they all are short, interesting and fun reads.
what do "free will" and "free decision" mean? What are their value? Is a free decision only pure chance and nothing more?
I feel the other stories do not match up in quality to these two, but they all are short, interesting and fun reads.
January 21, 2018
This is an early of collection of fiction and non-fiction from Niven with many of what would be come to be known as his early classics included. What Can You Say About Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers? was always one of my very favorite titles, Inconstant Moon is an established classic of the field, and people are still reprinting and discussing his Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex essay. There are also a number of early Known Space stories... a strong selection indeed!
June 8, 2023
Early collection of Niven short stories, with several (but not all) the tales related to the idea worlds branching to alternate possibilities at each instant. There are two essays discussing the real science relating to common scientific ideas - given that much of Niven's fiction also contains lengthy scientific exposition, these are only distinguishable by the more academic essay style of writing. Worth a look if you're a fan - I'd rate the individual stories at 3 or 4 stars each.
September 27, 2019
Hard science...fiction
Niven is my favorite writer. He combines real physics, humor, personality and mystery as no one else can. Enjoy yourself. Read this and all his books. My best is Lucifer’s Hammer. Ringworld is most people’s favorite.
Niven is my favorite writer. He combines real physics, humor, personality and mystery as no one else can. Enjoy yourself. Read this and all his books. My best is Lucifer’s Hammer. Ringworld is most people’s favorite.
October 16, 2021
Super mini review: lots of great, intriguing, thought-provoking, interesting 60s sci-fi from a man I'm starting to associate "great short stories" with. There's also two unfinished stories and three essays. Stand-outs include, "All the Myriad Ways", "Not Long Before The End", and "Inconstant Moon"
November 16, 2023
I wasn’t overly impressed by this collection. A few of the stories were entertaining, but none were memorable. I’ve read a few of Niven’s novels (including those in the Ringworld series), but these shorts were lacking comparatively.
March 23, 2018
A great read, well worth the time. And the time will go fast. Of course, I'm keen on science fiction from this era.
February 16, 2019
Wonderful collection of wild ideas - the reason I love Science Fiction.
February 12, 2021
The titular short story is absolutely chilling, incidentally horror in the way that only good science fiction can be.
Read
July 15, 2021classic
but on the other hand
lmao
but on the other hand
lmao
September 6, 2021
I've read a few Larry Niven books and this ranks as one of the top. Reading this book made me realize how much I like science fiction short stories and essays over long form novels. The short story forces the narrative to be clear and precise and goddam entertaining. Even though reading a short story might not be as satisfying of an accomplishment as reading a 1000 page novel, it's usually more rewarding of an experience, and one that is more easily remembered (unless the S.S. sucked, which many do). None of the stories in this collection were bad or outdated. If everything I read by Niven was this good I'd have read his completed works by now, but unfortunately I've come across a few stinkers. Can't recommend this one enough though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews