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The Unreconstructed M and Other Stories
What if...a machine could murder one person while implicating another for the crime? An alien being looked like livestock but spoke like a philosopher? Earth was ruined by war, and Mars was humanity's only hope? Robots were created to wage an unending war on the ravaged surface of Earth while man hid underground? Peeking into the future showed a worse result with each look?
In The Unreconstructed M and Other Stories by master of science fiction Philip K. Dick, reality is as thin as imagination. Trust in your senses, your experience, and your expectations if you must. But be warned. What you do not know can leave you - and your world - forever changed!
"The Unreconstructed M" (1957), "Beyond Lies the Wub" (1952), "Strange Eden" (1954), "Survey Team" (1954), "The Defenders" (1953), "Beyond the Door" (1954), "Shell Game" (1954), "Piper in the Woods" (1953), "Meddler" (1954), "Of Withered Apples" (1954), "Progeny" (1954), "Upon the Dull Earth" (1954), "Human Is" (1955).
Public Domain (P)2015 Ray Greenley
In The Unreconstructed M and Other Stories by master of science fiction Philip K. Dick, reality is as thin as imagination. Trust in your senses, your experience, and your expectations if you must. But be warned. What you do not know can leave you - and your world - forever changed!
"The Unreconstructed M" (1957), "Beyond Lies the Wub" (1952), "Strange Eden" (1954), "Survey Team" (1954), "The Defenders" (1953), "Beyond the Door" (1954), "Shell Game" (1954), "Piper in the Woods" (1953), "Meddler" (1954), "Of Withered Apples" (1954), "Progeny" (1954), "Upon the Dull Earth" (1954), "Human Is" (1955).
Public Domain (P)2015 Ray Greenley
75 pages, Audible Audio
Published December 7, 2015
30 people want to read
About the author
Philip K. Dick
1,926 books22.7k followersPhilip Kindred Dick was a prolific American science fiction author whose work has had a lasting impact on literature, cinema, and popular culture. Known for his imaginative narratives and profound philosophical themes, Dick explored the nature of reality, the boundaries of human identity, and the impact of technology and authoritarianism on society. His stories often blurred the line between the real and the artificial, challenging readers to question their perceptions and beliefs.
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
Raised in California, Dick began writing professionally in the early 1950s, publishing short stories in various science fiction magazines. He quickly developed a distinctive voice within the genre, marked by a fusion of science fiction concepts with deep existential and psychological inquiry. Over his career, he authored 44 novels and more than 100 short stories, many of which have become classics in the field.
Recurring themes in Dick's work include alternate realities, simulations, corporate and government control, mental illness, and the nature of consciousness. His protagonists are frequently everyday individuals—often paranoid, uncertain, or troubled—caught in surreal and often dangerous circumstances that force them to question their environment and themselves. Works such as Ubik, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, and A Scanner Darkly reflect his fascination with perception and altered states of consciousness, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health struggles and drug use.
One of Dick’s most influential novels is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which served as the basis for Ridley Scott’s iconic film Blade Runner. The novel deals with the distinction between humans and artificial beings and asks profound questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be alive. Other adaptations of his work include Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and The Man in the High Castle, each reflecting key elements of his storytelling—uncertain realities, oppressive systems, and the search for truth. These adaptations have introduced his complex ideas to audiences well beyond the traditional readership of science fiction.
In the 1970s, Dick underwent a series of visionary and mystical experiences that had a significant influence on his later writings. He described receiving profound knowledge from an external, possibly divine, source and documented these events extensively in what became known as The Exegesis, a massive and often fragmented journal. These experiences inspired his later novels, most notably the VALIS trilogy, which mixes autobiography, theology, and metaphysics in a narrative that defies conventional structure and genre boundaries.
Throughout his life, Dick faced financial instability, health issues, and periods of personal turmoil, yet he remained a dedicated and relentless writer. Despite limited commercial success during his lifetime, his reputation grew steadily, and he came to be regarded as one of the most original voices in speculative fiction. His work has been celebrated for its ability to fuse philosophical depth with gripping storytelling and has influenced not only science fiction writers but also philosophers, filmmakers, and futurists.
Dick’s legacy continues to thrive in both literary and cinematic spheres. The themes he explored remain urgently relevant in the modern world, particularly as technology increasingly intersects with human identity and governance. The Philip K. Dick Award, named in his honor, is presented annually to distinguished works of science fiction published in paperback original form in the United States. His writings have also inspired television series, academic studies, and countless homages across media.
Through his vivid imagination and unflinching inquiry into the nature of existence, Philip K. Dick redefined what science fiction could achieve. His work continues to challenge and inspire, offering timeless insights into the human condition a
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 28, 2018
Almost very female character is portrayed as weak, if they appeared at all in the stories. There was also A LOT of smoking. Both are signs of the time in which these stories were written (early to mid-50s). The stories themselves were okay. Not great, but entertaining. The plot is there, but the build-up and follow-through is missing....the stuff that gives a great book depth and complexity.
January 18, 2020
An Excellent Introduction into the Worlds of PKD
DISCLAIMER: I received this copy from the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
If you have never read any PKD, this is an excellent collection to start with! It provides a variety of short stories that range from supernatural horror to science fiction.
A word of caution, most of these stories are 60-odd years old, and feel dated both in social convention and reader impact. However, for many of these stories it was the first time a particular plot twist had been used! The collection is a very taut read and extremely entertaining.
The audio production is very clean, no muddy audio or obvious edits. Ray Greenley's narration is largely unobtrusive, allowing the listener to absorb each story without undue distraction. Occasionally the cadence sounded forced and stiff. I believe this was due primarily to Mr. Greenley's adherence to clear diction more that anything else, making it very difficult to fault. His characterizations are clear and distinct, and the dialogue, by and large, flows smoothly.
I recommend this collection to any avid reader of science fiction or horror, and will give special consideration to anything, regardless of genre, Mr. Greenley narrates.
Merged review:
An Excellent Introduction into the Worlds of PKD
DISCLAIMER: I received this copy from the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
If you have never read any PKD, this is an excellent collection to start with! It provides a variety of short stories that range from supernatural horror to science fiction.
A word of caution, most of these stories are 60-odd years old, and feel dated both in social convention and reader impact. However, for many of these stories it was the first time a particular plot twist had been used! The collection is a very taut read and extremely entertaining.
The audio production is very clean, no muddy audio or obvious edits. Ray Greenley's narration is largely unobtrusive, allowing the listener to absorb each story without undue distraction. Occasionally the cadence sounded forced and stiff. I believe this was due primarily to Mr. Greenley's adherence to clear diction more that anything else, making it very difficult to fault. His characterizations are clear and distinct, and the dialogue, by and large, flows smoothly.
I recommend this collection to any avid reader of science fiction or horror, and will give special consideration to anything, regardless of genre, Mr. Greenley narrates.
DISCLAIMER: I received this copy from the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
If you have never read any PKD, this is an excellent collection to start with! It provides a variety of short stories that range from supernatural horror to science fiction.
A word of caution, most of these stories are 60-odd years old, and feel dated both in social convention and reader impact. However, for many of these stories it was the first time a particular plot twist had been used! The collection is a very taut read and extremely entertaining.
The audio production is very clean, no muddy audio or obvious edits. Ray Greenley's narration is largely unobtrusive, allowing the listener to absorb each story without undue distraction. Occasionally the cadence sounded forced and stiff. I believe this was due primarily to Mr. Greenley's adherence to clear diction more that anything else, making it very difficult to fault. His characterizations are clear and distinct, and the dialogue, by and large, flows smoothly.
I recommend this collection to any avid reader of science fiction or horror, and will give special consideration to anything, regardless of genre, Mr. Greenley narrates.
Merged review:
An Excellent Introduction into the Worlds of PKD
DISCLAIMER: I received this copy from the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
If you have never read any PKD, this is an excellent collection to start with! It provides a variety of short stories that range from supernatural horror to science fiction.
A word of caution, most of these stories are 60-odd years old, and feel dated both in social convention and reader impact. However, for many of these stories it was the first time a particular plot twist had been used! The collection is a very taut read and extremely entertaining.
The audio production is very clean, no muddy audio or obvious edits. Ray Greenley's narration is largely unobtrusive, allowing the listener to absorb each story without undue distraction. Occasionally the cadence sounded forced and stiff. I believe this was due primarily to Mr. Greenley's adherence to clear diction more that anything else, making it very difficult to fault. His characterizations are clear and distinct, and the dialogue, by and large, flows smoothly.
I recommend this collection to any avid reader of science fiction or horror, and will give special consideration to anything, regardless of genre, Mr. Greenley narrates.
September 23, 2016
The Nature of Reality (Audiobook)
How could I have missed out on the pleasure of the incredibly talented Philip K. Dick before now? This is the first collection of his works that I have listened to and I am not really sure how I missed reading some of his 44 published novels or ~121 short stories before. But... I have seen most of the 11 popular films (Total Recall, Minority Report, Impostor, Paycheck...) based on his works. Check out Wikipedia for a list of his works and adaptations of his work in film, comics, television, stage, radio, and music.
He has a very Twilight Zone feel to his work, but they were written BEFORE Twilight Zone was a twinkle in Rod Sterling's eye.
This collection contains short stories from 1952-55 & 1957:
The Unreconstructed M
Beyond Lies the Wub
Strange Eden
Survey Team
The Defenders
Beyond the Door
Shell Game
Piper in the Woods
Meddler
Of Withered Apples
Progeny
Upon the Dull Earth
Human Is
I enjoyed them all, though The Unreconstructed M, Beyond Lies the Wub, The Defenders, & Human Is are at the top of my list.
Ray Greenley did a wonderful job voicing & giving personalities to the varied characters in the stories. Thank you for choosing this project!
This audiobook was provided at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
How could I have missed out on the pleasure of the incredibly talented Philip K. Dick before now? This is the first collection of his works that I have listened to and I am not really sure how I missed reading some of his 44 published novels or ~121 short stories before. But... I have seen most of the 11 popular films (Total Recall, Minority Report, Impostor, Paycheck...) based on his works. Check out Wikipedia for a list of his works and adaptations of his work in film, comics, television, stage, radio, and music.
He has a very Twilight Zone feel to his work, but they were written BEFORE Twilight Zone was a twinkle in Rod Sterling's eye.
This collection contains short stories from 1952-55 & 1957:
The Unreconstructed M
Beyond Lies the Wub
Strange Eden
Survey Team
The Defenders
Beyond the Door
Shell Game
Piper in the Woods
Meddler
Of Withered Apples
Progeny
Upon the Dull Earth
Human Is
I enjoyed them all, though The Unreconstructed M, Beyond Lies the Wub, The Defenders, & Human Is are at the top of my list.
Ray Greenley did a wonderful job voicing & giving personalities to the varied characters in the stories. Thank you for choosing this project!
This audiobook was provided at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
January 15, 2016
I have been meaning to read some Philip K. Dick for a while, so I was very pleased to stumble across this selection of his short stories in audio format. This audiobook consists of about 13 different short stories, ranging from from topics of space-based sci-fi to "angels" and death to robot-filled Dystopian and Utopian futures. I'd recommend it if you are a Philip K. Dick fan looking for more or a neophyte looking for an introduction to Philip K. Dick.
February 29, 2016
Woeful. I admire this novelist, but these space opera stories are just hopeless. The reader is dreadful, as well. To be avoided.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews