A Wilderness of Stars: Stories of Man in Conflict with Space

by William F. Nolan (Editor)

Contents :
• Introduction, by Shelly Lowenkopf
• The Lineman (1957), by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
• I, Mars (1949), by Ray Bradbury
• Sunjammer (1964), by Arthur C. Clarke
• The Better Man (1966), by Ray Russell
• Carrier (1954), by Robert Sheckley
• The Castaway (1963), by Charles E. Fritch
• Ghetto (1954), by Poul Anderson
• Happily Ever After (1965), by William F. Nolan
• North Wind (1956), by Chad Oliver
• Death of a Spaceman (1954), by Walter M. Miller, Jr.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories, Anthologies

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

William F. Nolan is best known as the co-author (with George Clayton Johnson) of Logan's Run -- a science fiction novel that went on to become a movie, a television series and is about to become a movie again -- and as single author of its sequels. His short stories have been selected for scores of anthologies and textbooks and he is twice winner of the Edgar Allan Poe Special Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

Nolan was born in 1928 in Kansas City Missouri. He attended the Kansas City Art Institute and worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards. He moved to California in the late 1940s and studied at San Diego State College. He began concentrating on writing rather than art and, in 1952, was introduced by fellow Missouri native (and established writer) Ray Bradbury to another young up-and-coming author, Charles Beaumont. Moving to the Los Angeles area in 1953, Nolan became along with Bradbury, Beaumont, and Richard Matheson part of the "inner core" of the soon-to-be highly influential "Southern California Group" of writers. By 1956 Nolan was a full-time writer. Since 1951 he has sold more than 1500 stories, articles, books, and other works.

Although Nolan wrote roughly 2000 pieces, to include biographies, short stories, poetry, and novels, Logan’s Run retains its hold on the public consciousness as a political fable and dystopian warning. As Nolan has stated: “That I am known at all is still astonishing to me... "

He passed away at the age of 93 due to complications from an infection.

Reviews

[Nicholas Barone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of 10 short stories that revolve around the rather broad theme of "Man in conflict with the outer reaches of space". All of the stories are good, but none are great. The two best are Arthur C Clarke's "Sunjammer" and Poul Anderson's "Ghetto"

[Sophie Gillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mix of short stories, some better than others. A bit dated now but I like to see what people thought was going to happen. I especially liked "Sunjammer", "I, Mars" and "Ghetto".

[Chris Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

First 15min of this Mindwebs #4 & ##27 audiobook , the story “Happily Ever After ” was from taken from a book also edited by William F Nolan “A Wilderness of Stars.” A self assured entrepreneur and his newlywed wife, arrive on the asteroid that will make their fortune. It has other plans! 5 Stars !

2nd part 20 mins of this Mindwebs #9 & ##25 audiobook , the story “The castaway” by charles e fritch was from taken from a book also edited by William F Nolan “A Wilderness of Stars.” Crashed rocket stranded a lone astronaut on a earth like planet. But as he waits for rescue he grows older, until he becomes something else...excellent 5 stars

25 Mindwebs-771014_TheWeapon / The Castaway Fredric Brown / Charles E. Fritch

27 Mindwebs-771028_HappilyEverAft / Born of Man and Woman William F. Nolan / Richard Matheson

[Z R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fantastic short stories. The only ones I didn't really like were the ones by Walter M. Miller, Jr. But all the others were excellent. I thought Chad Oliver's writing was especially good.