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The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume II A
(The Science Fiction Hall of Fame)
by
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Eleven Classic Novellas by the most honored authors of science fiction:
This volume is the definitive collection of the best science fiction novellas between 1929 to 1964 and contains eleven great classics. There is no better anthology that captures the birth of science fiction as a literary field. Published in 1973 to honor stories that had come before the institution of t ...more
This volume is the definitive collection of the best science fiction novellas between 1929 to 1964 and contains eleven great classics. There is no better anthology that captures the birth of science fiction as a literary field. Published in 1973 to honor stories that had come before the institution of t ...more
Mass Market Paperback, Eighth Printing, 572 pages
Published
June 1st 1976
by Avon Books
(first published January 1st 1973)
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Start your review of The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume II A (The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, #2A)

5.0 stars. I have not read all of the books in this collection but will comment on the ones I have:
Call Me Joe (Poul Anderson)(1957): 6.0 Stars (One of my All Time Favorite Stories). Outstanding story about exploring and terraforming the surface of Jupiter through the use of bio-mechanical life forms whose consciousness is controlled via remote control with researchers above the planet. A story of identity and quality of life.
The Marching Morons (C.M. Kornbluth)(1951): 5.0 to 5.5 Stars. Satirica ...more
Call Me Joe (Poul Anderson)(1957): 6.0 Stars (One of my All Time Favorite Stories). Outstanding story about exploring and terraforming the surface of Jupiter through the use of bio-mechanical life forms whose consciousness is controlled via remote control with researchers above the planet. A story of identity and quality of life.
The Marching Morons (C.M. Kornbluth)(1951): 5.0 to 5.5 Stars. Satirica ...more

I have to quibble: C'Mell is 20 pp, hardly a novella. This book didn't take long to read, as most stories were quite familiar to me from other anthologies. And some just don't hold up all that well. But as an introduction to some of the foundational & inspirational classics, it's quite good.
...more

This is the second time I’ve listened to The Science Fiction Hall of Fame v. 2A all the way through. I’ve also read many of these stories with my eyes, and even heard some of them in other audiobooks. In all, I’ve read some of these stories as many as five times. Some of them get better with every reading, and others are starting to wear out. My ratings are just my current emotional reaction.
- “Call Me Joe” by Poul Anderson is a wonderful tale about surviving on Jupiter, a planet we seldom see e ...more
- “Call Me Joe” by Poul Anderson is a wonderful tale about surviving on Jupiter, a planet we seldom see e ...more

Okay, so I cheated a bit. I did not re-read "The Time Machine," by H.G. Wells. I think I've probably read that story twice before and I've probably seen the excellent and faithful George Pal movie (1960)a couple times, as well. It is a good story and was worthy of inclusion in this book.
My favorite selection here is " . . . And Then There Were None," by Eric Frank Russell. This has got to be one of the most hilarious works of fiction that I have ever read. (If you love Vonnegut, my guess is tha ...more
My favorite selection here is " . . . And Then There Were None," by Eric Frank Russell. This has got to be one of the most hilarious works of fiction that I have ever read. (If you love Vonnegut, my guess is tha ...more

So far:
"Call Me Joe" by Poul Anderson -- excellent
"Who's Out There?" by John W. Campbell -- Good page turner, interesting premise of a chameleon-like alien (the alien in Howard Hawks' classic horror film based on this story, The Thing, did not have this power), but a little too rushed and slapdash to be wholly convincing.
"Nerves" by Lester del Rey -- There's a good story here, but, as told, is rather a mess -- verbose, unorganized, with the technical aspects of the story (involving a Chernobyl-l ...more
"Call Me Joe" by Poul Anderson -- excellent
"Who's Out There?" by John W. Campbell -- Good page turner, interesting premise of a chameleon-like alien (the alien in Howard Hawks' classic horror film based on this story, The Thing, did not have this power), but a little too rushed and slapdash to be wholly convincing.
"Nerves" by Lester del Rey -- There's a good story here, but, as told, is rather a mess -- verbose, unorganized, with the technical aspects of the story (involving a Chernobyl-l ...more

4.0 stars
Summary / Anthology Review:
A much belated “Congratulations” to the Science Fiction Writers of America, (SFWA), and editor Ben Bova for presenting Volume II, (A), The Science Fiction Hall of Fame anthology—eleven of the “Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time.”
Every included work is enjoyable and affecting in its own way.
Particularly laudable is the process with which the separate works were chosen as Bova explains in his introduction: the basic vote. Further discernment for selec ...more
Summary / Anthology Review:
A much belated “Congratulations” to the Science Fiction Writers of America, (SFWA), and editor Ben Bova for presenting Volume II, (A), The Science Fiction Hall of Fame anthology—eleven of the “Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time.”
Every included work is enjoyable and affecting in its own way.
Particularly laudable is the process with which the separate works were chosen as Bova explains in his introduction: the basic vote. Further discernment for selec ...more

Comments/Reviews of the novellas in this anthology:
"Call Me Joe" - Poul Anderson. An artificial creature on the surface of Jupiter is psychically linked to a cripple in an orbiting spacestation. But who is controlling whom? Quite an enjoyable read.
"Who Goes There?" John W. Campbell Jr (as Don A. Stuart). A polar expedition discovers an alien - what happens when it is thawed? Meh - interesting concept, I guess - but the writing didn't really move me.
"Nerves" - Lester del Rey - A crisis at a nuc ...more
"Call Me Joe" - Poul Anderson. An artificial creature on the surface of Jupiter is psychically linked to a cripple in an orbiting spacestation. But who is controlling whom? Quite an enjoyable read.
"Who Goes There?" John W. Campbell Jr (as Don A. Stuart). A polar expedition discovers an alien - what happens when it is thawed? Meh - interesting concept, I guess - but the writing didn't really move me.
"Nerves" - Lester del Rey - A crisis at a nuc ...more

This is a treasure trove of older science fiction classic novellas. Authors here include such worthies as Poul Anderson, John Campbell, Jr., Lester del Rey, Robert Heinlein, C. M. Kornbluth, Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore, Eric Frank Russell, Cordwainer Smith, Theodore Sturgeon (progenitor of Sturgeon's Law, "90% of everything is crud," if I recall accurately), H. G. Wells, and Jack Williamson. This volume was published originally in 1973 (the version, in fact, that I have).
Let's look at a coupl ...more
Let's look at a coupl ...more

Aug 07, 2012
Rasheed
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
anthologies,
science-fiction
Call Me Joe (1957) by Poul Anderson 5/5
Who Goes There? (1938) John W. Campbell 5/5
Nerves (1942) by Lester del Rey 5/5
Universe (1941) by Robert A. Heinlein 5/5 1st part of Orphans of the Sky - 2nd part equally enjoyable
The Marching Morons (1951) by C. M. Kornbluth 3/5
Vintage Season (1946) by Henry Kuttner & C.L. Moore 3/5
...And Then There Were None (1951) by Eric Frank Russell 4/5
The Ballad of Lost C'Mell (1962) by Cordwainer Smith 3/5
Baby Is Three (1952) by Theodore Sturgeon 5/5
The Time Machine ...more
Who Goes There? (1938) John W. Campbell 5/5
Nerves (1942) by Lester del Rey 5/5
Universe (1941) by Robert A. Heinlein 5/5 1st part of Orphans of the Sky - 2nd part equally enjoyable
The Marching Morons (1951) by C. M. Kornbluth 3/5
Vintage Season (1946) by Henry Kuttner & C.L. Moore 3/5
...And Then There Were None (1951) by Eric Frank Russell 4/5
The Ballad of Lost C'Mell (1962) by Cordwainer Smith 3/5
Baby Is Three (1952) by Theodore Sturgeon 5/5
The Time Machine ...more

An anthology of epic proportions in both concept and literary execution. Volumes IIA and IIB are comprised of novellas instead of short stories like Vol. I which is why it is split into two sub-volumes. However it packs a serious punch and sits near the top of my recommendation list for anyone interested in fiction.

Stories too long to be in Vol 1. This is for both 2a and 2b
My favorites:
2A:
Heinlein's "Universe"
Eric Frank Russel "... And then there were none"
Sturgeon "Baby is Three"
2B:
Asimov "The martian way"
Blish "Earthman Come Home"
Vance "The Moon Moth" ...more
My favorites:
2A:
Heinlein's "Universe"
Eric Frank Russel "... And then there were none"
Sturgeon "Baby is Three"
2B:
Asimov "The martian way"
Blish "Earthman Come Home"
Vance "The Moon Moth" ...more

These are mostly of novella length rather than short stories, including "Who Goes There," the story that was filmed as "The Thing."
Great collection. ...more
Great collection. ...more

??? childhood: ‘vintage season’ by kuttner and moore... an original favourite... good others too...

Some stories are better than others; but as a whole, a strong collection. My favorites include "The Ballad of Lost C'Mell," by Cordwainer Smith, and "Baby is Three," by Ted Sturgeon.
...more

A very good collection that, along with the other two volumes, makes a great introduction to classic science fiction.
Call Me Joe • (1957) • novelette by Poul Anderson **** Fun and creative, bears some interesting similarities to the film Avatar (which came out over half a century later)
Who Goes There? • [Who Goes There?] • (1946) • novella by John W. Campbell, Jr. [as by Don A. Stuart] ***** I’ve read this one several times and each time I am again pleasantly surprised by how well it holds up
N ...more
Call Me Joe • (1957) • novelette by Poul Anderson **** Fun and creative, bears some interesting similarities to the film Avatar (which came out over half a century later)
Who Goes There? • [Who Goes There?] • (1946) • novella by John W. Campbell, Jr. [as by Don A. Stuart] ***** I’ve read this one several times and each time I am again pleasantly surprised by how well it holds up
N ...more

Anthologies tend to always be uneven, even when the stories are supposed to be Hall of Fame worthy.
My favorites in this anthology where:
Who Goes There? By John Campbell, Jr. A classic, although this resembles the John Carpenter film somewhat, the ending is different.
Robert Heinlein's Universe which the forgotten Canadian TV series "Starlost' from the 1970's seems to have been inspired by. And Harlan Ellison sued James Cameron over "The Terminator," for shame.
The Vintage Season by Harry Kuttner ...more
My favorites in this anthology where:
Who Goes There? By John Campbell, Jr. A classic, although this resembles the John Carpenter film somewhat, the ending is different.
Robert Heinlein's Universe which the forgotten Canadian TV series "Starlost' from the 1970's seems to have been inspired by. And Harlan Ellison sued James Cameron over "The Terminator," for shame.
The Vintage Season by Harry Kuttner ...more

A nice collection of SF story. I only skipped one story. Most had a timeless message. I especially enjoyed "With Folded Hands" by Williamson and "Universe" by Heinlein.
...more

I have enjoyed the first volume more, but this was a treat too. Except 2-3 weak stories, it is masterpiece after masterpiece.
Call Me Joe · Poul Anderson : A better version of Rogue Moon and an expansion of the "running video" in Strange Days.
Who Goes There? [as by Don A. Stuart] · John W. Campbell, Jr.: the second most famous story in the collection after Time machine and the inspiration for the famous "The Thing" movie which I should watch sometime. It has some plotholes, but the atmosphere and ...more
Call Me Joe · Poul Anderson : A better version of Rogue Moon and an expansion of the "running video" in Strange Days.
Who Goes There? [as by Don A. Stuart] · John W. Campbell, Jr.: the second most famous story in the collection after Time machine and the inspiration for the famous "The Thing" movie which I should watch sometime. It has some plotholes, but the atmosphere and ...more

This is another mixed bag of sorts. There are some really wonderful novellas in this collection, but also a fair share of clinkers. Some were clinkers for me personally because I first experienced them in a more entertaining media, such as "Who Goes There?" (which John Carpenter handled very well in his remake of The Thing) and "The Time Machine" (which I personally feel was handled better in both movie adaptations, because the time-traveler has more to gain or lose in his travels).
My favorites ...more
My favorites ...more

Another set of terrific works, this time novellas, in the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Ben Bova edited this volume. Some of nthe classics that I have enjoyed immensely that are included: Isaac Asimov, "The Martian Way," Algis Budrys, "Rogue Moon," Frederik Pohl, "The Midas Plague," and Jack Vance's "The Moon Moth."
A fine collection of novellas. . . . ...more
A fine collection of novellas. . . . ...more

This is another collection of true classics. H.G. Wells, one of Heinlein's best, one of Eric Frank Russell's best, terrific stories from Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson, the Campbell story that became famous films, stories by Lester Del Rey and Jack Williamson that were better than their longer novel versions... Classic stuff!
...more

Dec 14, 2008
DaughterDaDa
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
short-stories
Classic science fiction stories that defined the genre.

Jul 18, 2010
Stephanie "Jedigal"
marked it as to-read
Recommended to Stephanie "Jedigal" by:
Got it at the 2010 Book Fair w/Beth, Em
Shelves:
sci-fi
Volume II (at least two parts, A and B) is "The Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time".
...more

My own favorite story is "Mimsy Were the Borogoves". "X-logic" helped me toward a greater understanding of algebra! Well for a while, at least.
Also check out "Macroscopic God"... ...more
Also check out "Macroscopic God"... ...more

The novellas in this book were chosen by SFWA, and I don't agree with all the picks. Some of the writers are mostly underappreciated these days, and there are some real classics here. So I'll address each story on its merits.
Call Me Joe, by Poul Anderson -- James Cameron probably "borrowed" (stole) from this story while he cobbled together the film "Avatar" (for the record, he has done this before, most notably stealing from and getting sued by Harlan Ellison for "Terminator"). A mind/bio-link b ...more
Call Me Joe, by Poul Anderson -- James Cameron probably "borrowed" (stole) from this story while he cobbled together the film "Avatar" (for the record, he has done this before, most notably stealing from and getting sued by Harlan Ellison for "Terminator"). A mind/bio-link b ...more

I originally had the paperback when this first came out, but unfortunately I dropped it in the bath and damaged a third of it. I always intended to get another copy and finally when I got my Kindle, I got a new version of this anthology and finally finished it.
Well, most of the stories haven't dated well. Some of the writing is stilted and verbose and the stories themselves have been well known thr0ugh TV and movie adaptations and countless anthologies. So here goes my review of the tales:
CALL M ...more
Well, most of the stories haven't dated well. Some of the writing is stilted and verbose and the stories themselves have been well known thr0ugh TV and movie adaptations and countless anthologies. So here goes my review of the tales:
CALL M ...more

Great selection of stories. Only one I feel was a waste of time was Vintage Season. The standout was Baby is Three by Theodore Sturgeon and Universe by Robert Heinlein. Although none prominently feature women or minorities, quite a few touch on civil rights.
Call Me Joe Poul Anderson
Great story about an enfeebled geriatric finding a new home in a new savage colony on the surface of Jupiter.
· Who Goes There? John W. Campbell, Jr.
The story that became the move The Thing. I felt like its still funn ...more
Call Me Joe Poul Anderson
Great story about an enfeebled geriatric finding a new home in a new savage colony on the surface of Jupiter.
· Who Goes There? John W. Campbell, Jr.
The story that became the move The Thing. I felt like its still funn ...more
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Ben Bova was born on November 8, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1953, while attending Temple University, he married Rosa Cucinotta, they had a son and a daughter. He would later divorce Rosa in 1974. In that same year he married Barbara Berson Rose.
Bova is an avid fencer and organized Avco Everett's fencing club. He is an environmentalist, but rejects Luddism.
Bova was a technical writer fo ...more
Bova is an avid fencer and organized Avco Everett's fencing club. He is an environmentalist, but rejects Luddism.
Bova was a technical writer fo ...more
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