Extraterrestrials

by Isaac Asimov (Editor), Charles G. Waugh (Editor)

The children in these stories have one thing in common - they are all young extraterrestrials. None of them are of this planet. None can be called human. Some of the young extraterrestrials are obviously, wonderfully, alien. Yet others have lived their lives alongside human children and no one ever knew the difference. No one could tell they were extraterrestrials, with a special heritage and special gifts. Some of the children are here as ambassadors of peace. Others are here for more selfish and more frightening reasons.

Isaac Asimov, Martin Greenberg and Charles Waugh have selected stories by Piers Anthony, R.A. Lafferty, James E. Gunn and many others that don't question the existence of extraterrestrials but rather explore what life for a young extraterrestrial would be like on Earth.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction

First published October 23, 1986

About the author

Works 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...

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A anthology of eleven science fiction short stories, selected and introduced by Isaac Asimov. The book is published under the Dragon Books imprint which was a children's books publisher. The book is marked with a 'red' dragon - which categorises it as a book for 8 year olds and above.

I was definitely over 8 when I read the book, heck it wasn't published until I was 16, and while not the most earth shattering collection of science fiction in the world ever by a long shot, the collection comprises a good selection of well told stories for children.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical going into this, purely because I’ve read some of Asimov’s introductory essays where he’s talked about himself and said that he’s a terrible editor. Here, though, I suspect that he was responsible for picking out the stories and then someone else was in charge of the copy editing etc.

Basically, this book brings together a bunch of short stories from some writers who I’ve never heard of, and the central theme is always extra-terrestrials and an examination of what they mean for us and our own human culture. But just because I hadn’t heard of them, it doesn’t make them worth reading.

In fact, there’s a lot of stuff here to like, including many of the ethical and moral dilemmas that make Asimov’s own work so fascinating. The only thing I would say is that it’s a shame that Asimov himself didn’t contribute a story. It would only need one, especially because the introduction was pretty short too.

Because of that, it’s not really an Asimov book, but the good news is that it’s still worth reading anyway. I thought it was fun!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are actually some fun short stories that are actually geared for kids (like pre-teen age probably). But I enjoyed them!

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have had this book (as part of the series of 4) for many years - in fact since I really got in to reading. My school offered the chance to buy reading books that were aimed at our year, a sort of schools book club. Many didnt appeal but I saw these and knowing so little about science fiction, I jumped at the chance.
Years later I go on one of my explorations through the dim reaches of my book cases and find them (along with other vintage Asimov) and dig them out, The book covers say they are aimed at 11+ but to be honest if you enjoy science fiction and vintage SF at that these books are a joy.
The series (more on the other volumes later) consists of 4 books each on a particular them but I will admit not necessarily following your expectations. As a result I will admit that many an author I went on to read started off in these pages. They may not be classics but I cannot think of a better introduction.