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Bangs and Whimpers: Stories About the End of the World
Presents a collection of stories exploring the end of the world from authors such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Howard Fast, and Robert A. Heinlein
219 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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July 12, 2013
This book, Bangs & Whimpers: Stories About the End of the World is a collection of short stories by different authors. Most of these stories were written some fifty to sixty years ago. It includes passages from all the greats - from Arthur C. Clarke to Robert Heinlein, Neil Gaiman to Isaac Asimov. I've owned it for many years now, but have somehow never gotten around to reading it, until now.
I started it several nights ago, longing for the feel of a paper book in my hands after nearly a year of nothing but audio and electronic books. I just finished it. And let me tell you: if you are in the mood to be depressed, pick up a copy of this volume and give a go. Dear Lord.
I think I've actually started it many times. Several, at least. But for some reason, I was never in the right frame of mind to read it. But now that my two big kids are away for the summer and my red-haired wife is away on a business trip, I've been feeling melancholy. Things happen like that when I'm alone for a while. My four-year-old is great company, don't get me wrong. But conversation tends to lean a little toward the not-very-deep after a while. Though I will admit, she is full of wonder and amazes me constantly with the things she is able to conceive and comprehend.
The last installment in the book - the one by Asimov - is perhaps the richest, in that it really stirred some emotion in me. It's called The Last Question, and ends with quite a neat little twist. The others stirred my emotions as well, but not like this. He goes so far beyond the limits of what we can conceive of as time that we cannot even conceive of the number itself. Trillions of years into the future, when the last star is finally going out. Very humbling as a man sitting here in a brief eternity of perhaps (and hopefully) seventy or eighty years.
One of the most fascinating concepts Mr. Asimov put forth in his book, which was first published in 1956, was the construction of these insanely intelligent computers. He mentions their shrinking size, having come from something that took up a city block. And I got to thinking - even he, as far-fetched and forward-thinking as he was, couldn't imagine what computers would be today. Back then they did indeed take up large chunks of real estate. And now we carry them around in our pockets.
I'm just floored by this. I know I've said it before, but the fact that all of us who have smartphones literally carry computers around in our pockets that are far more powerful than those first city-block computers. The smartphone can tell you where you are on a map, how to get somewhere else, give you the phone number of the place you're going, and furthermore let you call that place to make a reservation. And that's only scraping the tip of the iceberg with the ridiculous abilities these things possess.
I know, I know, this is supposed to be a book review. But seriously, the computer he imagines in his short story is a thing that eventually comes to exist not in space or time, and not even as matter or energy. It's a collective consciousness of sorts that exists and links to others like it all over the universe. And at the present rate of passage, we are well on our way to this notion of a singularity in technology. Will computers take over the world? Well, simply put, have they not already?
Back to the book. These stories of the end of the world are touching and poignant. Each of them enables you to realize where we stand as a human race. And most of them are critical of the path we've taken. More than half even say that implicitly: where is intelligence without the folly of humankind? The insane notion that as soon as we've enough intelligence, the reason vanishes from our minds. All we want to do is destroy ourselves. It's like the old saying, "This is why we can't have nice things." As soon as we gain intellect, we muff it up and use it to destroy our neighbors.
This is not a political rant. I'm not saying I'm for or against war. I just think it's well spoken of these authors who mention that the end of mankind will be brought about by our own fallible hand. These stories put you well in touch with that. Some of them mention other methods of our extinction, like The Nine Billion Names of God. But the really sobering ones are the ones where we are likened to a bunch of lemmings running off the edge of sanity into the ocean of extinction because, and only because we are smart enough to.
This is well worth a read if you have a couple of free hours. It's right around 220 pages, so it can be done in one sitting by some of you pros out there. I'd highly recommend it. But remember, like I said, it's not really a pick-me-up. Be prepared to be depressed. Make the best of it. Pour yourself a tall scotch and go out with a bang.
I started it several nights ago, longing for the feel of a paper book in my hands after nearly a year of nothing but audio and electronic books. I just finished it. And let me tell you: if you are in the mood to be depressed, pick up a copy of this volume and give a go. Dear Lord.
I think I've actually started it many times. Several, at least. But for some reason, I was never in the right frame of mind to read it. But now that my two big kids are away for the summer and my red-haired wife is away on a business trip, I've been feeling melancholy. Things happen like that when I'm alone for a while. My four-year-old is great company, don't get me wrong. But conversation tends to lean a little toward the not-very-deep after a while. Though I will admit, she is full of wonder and amazes me constantly with the things she is able to conceive and comprehend.
The last installment in the book - the one by Asimov - is perhaps the richest, in that it really stirred some emotion in me. It's called The Last Question, and ends with quite a neat little twist. The others stirred my emotions as well, but not like this. He goes so far beyond the limits of what we can conceive of as time that we cannot even conceive of the number itself. Trillions of years into the future, when the last star is finally going out. Very humbling as a man sitting here in a brief eternity of perhaps (and hopefully) seventy or eighty years.
One of the most fascinating concepts Mr. Asimov put forth in his book, which was first published in 1956, was the construction of these insanely intelligent computers. He mentions their shrinking size, having come from something that took up a city block. And I got to thinking - even he, as far-fetched and forward-thinking as he was, couldn't imagine what computers would be today. Back then they did indeed take up large chunks of real estate. And now we carry them around in our pockets.
I'm just floored by this. I know I've said it before, but the fact that all of us who have smartphones literally carry computers around in our pockets that are far more powerful than those first city-block computers. The smartphone can tell you where you are on a map, how to get somewhere else, give you the phone number of the place you're going, and furthermore let you call that place to make a reservation. And that's only scraping the tip of the iceberg with the ridiculous abilities these things possess.
I know, I know, this is supposed to be a book review. But seriously, the computer he imagines in his short story is a thing that eventually comes to exist not in space or time, and not even as matter or energy. It's a collective consciousness of sorts that exists and links to others like it all over the universe. And at the present rate of passage, we are well on our way to this notion of a singularity in technology. Will computers take over the world? Well, simply put, have they not already?
Back to the book. These stories of the end of the world are touching and poignant. Each of them enables you to realize where we stand as a human race. And most of them are critical of the path we've taken. More than half even say that implicitly: where is intelligence without the folly of humankind? The insane notion that as soon as we've enough intelligence, the reason vanishes from our minds. All we want to do is destroy ourselves. It's like the old saying, "This is why we can't have nice things." As soon as we gain intellect, we muff it up and use it to destroy our neighbors.
This is not a political rant. I'm not saying I'm for or against war. I just think it's well spoken of these authors who mention that the end of mankind will be brought about by our own fallible hand. These stories put you well in touch with that. Some of them mention other methods of our extinction, like The Nine Billion Names of God. But the really sobering ones are the ones where we are likened to a bunch of lemmings running off the edge of sanity into the ocean of extinction because, and only because we are smart enough to.
This is well worth a read if you have a couple of free hours. It's right around 220 pages, so it can be done in one sitting by some of you pros out there. I'd highly recommend it. But remember, like I said, it's not really a pick-me-up. Be prepared to be depressed. Make the best of it. Pour yourself a tall scotch and go out with a bang.
April 18, 2011
I started reading Bangs and Whimpers: Stories About the End of the World as part of my research for my own post-apocalyptic novel. Now I have all kinds of interesting ideas about how things will end for us. It also seems like many science fiction authors view the human race as something that needs to be purged from the planet. I realize that this collection focuses on the end of the world--a pessimistic topic in itself, but come on folks: wouldn't you be at least a little bit sorry to see us go?
My favorites from this collection:
We Can Get Them for You Wholesale by Neil Gaiman
A bitter little man takes his love of a good bargain way too far.
Fire Catcher by Richard Kadrey
Grim, graphic, brilliant and beautiful. This is one of the best short stories I've ever read.
The Wind and the Rain by Robert Silverberg
The planet cleanses itself, but why not help it along.
Ultimate Construction by C.C. Shackleton akaBrian W. Aldiss
My favorites from this collection:
We Can Get Them for You Wholesale by Neil Gaiman
A bitter little man takes his love of a good bargain way too far.
Fire Catcher by Richard Kadrey
Grim, graphic, brilliant and beautiful. This is one of the best short stories I've ever read.
The Wind and the Rain by Robert Silverberg
The planet cleanses itself, but why not help it along.
Ultimate Construction by C.C. Shackleton akaBrian W. Aldiss
May 21, 2008
One of the best short-story collections I've read in a long time, just because I liked every single story in there. Best read late at night, because they're all about the end of the world, and you should read them in an appropriately creepy setting. The one by Neil Gaiman is PARTICULARLY unsettling, and my favorite. (Though Clarke's "The Nine Billion Names of God" sent chills down my back, very nicely creepy.)
January 31, 2020
Originally purchased just after I graduated high school, the pages are yellow with age, the dust jacket torn and worn from the countless times I've gone back and re-read a few of the stories. I've read a number of "end of the world" compilations over the years, but Bangs & Whimpers is the one I always find myself going back for a dose of morbidity. Why is that? Let's see...
The short stories within were written by some of the great authors of the twentieth century: Neil Gaiman, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov to name a few. In addition, the stories themselves I find to be really captivating: One makes the finding of the Holy Grail a really bad sign ("Lost and Found", Connie Willis); one follows the logical conclusion for a bargain hunter that just can't turn down a deal ("We Can Get Them for You Wholesale", Neil Gaiman); another explores the political implications of knowing the world will end ("Emissary from a Green and Yellow World", Robert Skeckley); and finally, the story that legitimately blew my mind the first time I read it ("The Last Question", Isaac Asimov).
Overall, the content is amazing and will leave you with many questions to ponder. Or feel like crawling into a corner with a few bottles of wine and cry. Or make you think about the real world and realize that some of these fictional outcomes aren't so bad.
The short stories within were written by some of the great authors of the twentieth century: Neil Gaiman, Arthur C. Clarke, and Isaac Asimov to name a few. In addition, the stories themselves I find to be really captivating: One makes the finding of the Holy Grail a really bad sign ("Lost and Found", Connie Willis); one follows the logical conclusion for a bargain hunter that just can't turn down a deal ("We Can Get Them for You Wholesale", Neil Gaiman); another explores the political implications of knowing the world will end ("Emissary from a Green and Yellow World", Robert Skeckley); and finally, the story that legitimately blew my mind the first time I read it ("The Last Question", Isaac Asimov).
Overall, the content is amazing and will leave you with many questions to ponder. Or feel like crawling into a corner with a few bottles of wine and cry. Or make you think about the real world and realize that some of these fictional outcomes aren't so bad.
July 23, 2008
"On the evening of the third of April, standing at the window of his pleasant three-bedroom, split level house and admiring the sunset, Alfred Collins saw a hand rise above the horizon, spread thumb and forefinger and snuff out the sun."
Alternately, there's a Neil Gaiman short story that may be the only thing of his I've ever read and enjoyed (maybe I just need to read short stories so I don't get bored halfway through?), and a fairly long Heinlein story (Year of the Jackpot) that I also really liked.
End of the world + short stories = WIN.
Alternately, there's a Neil Gaiman short story that may be the only thing of his I've ever read and enjoyed (maybe I just need to read short stories so I don't get bored halfway through?), and a fairly long Heinlein story (Year of the Jackpot) that I also really liked.
End of the world + short stories = WIN.
August 23, 2011
Great mix of stories and eras, though most are older...I had to put this down for a bit because a few of the stories were downright depressing. Ends on a good note, though. A well-chosen anthology especially for someone (like myself) who is not a big sci-fi reader. A more well-read fan may have seen some of these stories already.
August 14, 2022
These 19 stories range wildly in quality but most are above average. There are some intriguing ideas on how people think the world will end, but the most interesting ones are slices of life of those who either are living through the immediate destruction or those generations that have sprung up since the cataclysm. In my opinion, “The Year of the Jackpot” is the best of them all for its realistic and endearing characters and how the story is structured like a literal “out of the frying pan and into the fire” scenario.
September 20, 2022
Its a pretty mixed bag but all of the stories are short and the good ones left a strong impression. Some of them still pop into my head every so often.
Want to read
December 13, 2013The Bangs & Whimpers by tons of authors such as Isaac Asinov , Arthur C. Clarke , Phillip K. Dick , Neil Gaiman ,Robert A. Heinlein, Frederik Punt, Robert Silverberg, James Thurber, James Tiptree Jr, and Connie Willis is kind of weird book honestly. It is a book with all kind of different short stories by different authors describing or predicting how the world would end and who would be alive to tell the horror story. It was written in 1999.
Who might be interested in this book? Why?
I think people who like horror; tragic, futuristic books would be interested in reading this, not really a specific gender. It is in dark, conspiracy type of book that basically explained how all the different ways the world could actually end. I think those type of people would like it because if they can relate to it which in not believing in god and really believing in science, they would believe it. I would say it is pretty difficult and easy at the same time to read and understand this book.
My overall is okay. Not to good but also not too bad where I just want to drop the book. I gave it 3 stars because it isn’t that easy to keep up. It switches up from short story to short story like every chapter with all types of different authors moods and tones changing throughout the story so you really didn’t know how the vibe was of the story at certain points. But it is a very depressing, weird, book. A lot of freaky like “Wow” scenes it in just the stories about people dying, suffering and etc. I really don’t like stories like these honestly, they freak me out and really seem like that it can possibly happen in reality
Who might be interested in this book? Why?
I think people who like horror; tragic, futuristic books would be interested in reading this, not really a specific gender. It is in dark, conspiracy type of book that basically explained how all the different ways the world could actually end. I think those type of people would like it because if they can relate to it which in not believing in god and really believing in science, they would believe it. I would say it is pretty difficult and easy at the same time to read and understand this book.
My overall is okay. Not to good but also not too bad where I just want to drop the book. I gave it 3 stars because it isn’t that easy to keep up. It switches up from short story to short story like every chapter with all types of different authors moods and tones changing throughout the story so you really didn’t know how the vibe was of the story at certain points. But it is a very depressing, weird, book. A lot of freaky like “Wow” scenes it in just the stories about people dying, suffering and etc. I really don’t like stories like these honestly, they freak me out and really seem like that it can possibly happen in reality
December 28, 2013
I would like to begin by saying that I am not that much of a fan of short fiction. I either feel like the story just didn't do enough to make it worthwhile or that I wanted more to happen and was disappointed when the story ends.
That being said, I really liked this collection of short stories about the end of the world from some of the best SF writers. There were a couple of "ok" stories, but most maintained my interest until the end and some made me sit back and say "wow". While not for everyone, there is some graphic description of how we might end our time on this planet, I would encourage anyone who likes/loves SF to take a look at this tomb as you will not be disappointed.
That being said, I really liked this collection of short stories about the end of the world from some of the best SF writers. There were a couple of "ok" stories, but most maintained my interest until the end and some made me sit back and say "wow". While not for everyone, there is some graphic description of how we might end our time on this planet, I would encourage anyone who likes/loves SF to take a look at this tomb as you will not be disappointed.
November 23, 2008
What a great book of short stories (and I do mean short! some were only 1-2 pages). The whole premise of the stories was the end of the world. I think my favorite story was The Year of the Jackpot by Robert A Heinlein. The only bad thing I'd say about this book was that they were short stories. I want more ;)
September 7, 2016
800 bazillion SF short stories about the world ending to choose from and they choose these? Some were tolerable, some were painful, and some should have been drowned in the bathtub. I guess they thought throwing in James Thurber and Howard Fast was supposed to prove, umm, something. Maybe that "mainstream" authors will occasionally dabble in genre fiction? Damn, I never would've known, otherwise.
January 14, 2016
There are a handful of interesting stories in here; mostly, though, this book just reminded me of why I quit reading dense, self-important, dude-bro science fiction after high school. Do yourself a favor and pick up Parable of the Talents or The Road, instead.
May 30, 2016
Turned out to be a quick read, with all the short stories. I enjoyed a few, but it's hard to remember them all with all the authors and all the perspectives. Borrowed and returned to local library. Don't need a copy in my collection. ;)
Want to read
June 17, 2008NOT AT LIB 6/08 - Ginnie gave 4 stars & interest in topic
November 28, 2009
A mixed bag. Some real winners, some losers, and there's a Heinlein story as well. Make of that what you will!
November 17, 2015
I enjoyed the different takes on this topic. The one about the Nine Billion Names of God was one of my favorite, as was the one with the statistician. Overall a strong collection.
Want to read
February 13, 2010got this book idea from a goodreads friend!!
August 3, 2010
Although I don't usually prefer collections of short stories, these end-of-the-world sorts were like the perfect evening glass of port and bon bon.
September 12, 2011
real short storys about the end of the world some of them are confusing.
January 14, 2012
It's fun to speculate on all the ways we might be annihilated, isn't it.
June 18, 2013
This was a neat little selection of end of the world stories. Some, quite humorous, others poignant and wistful. Some greats of the genre: Asimov, Heinlein, Willis, ...
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