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Annual World's Best SF #2
The 1973 Annual World's Best SF
Contents
* Introduction by Donald A. Wollheim
* "Goat Song" (Poul Anderson)
* "The Man Who Walked Home" (James Tiptree, Jr.)
* "Oh, Valinda!" (Michael G. Coney)
* "The Gold at the Starbow's End" (Frederik Pohl)
* "To Walk a City's Street" (Clifford D. Simak)
* "Rorqual Maru" (T.J. Bass)
* "Changing Woman" (W. Macfarlane)
* "'Willie's Blues'" (Robert J. Tilley)
* "Long Shot" (Vernor Vinge)
* "Thus Love Betrays Us" (Phyllis MacLennan)
* Introduction by Donald A. Wollheim
* "Goat Song" (Poul Anderson)
* "The Man Who Walked Home" (James Tiptree, Jr.)
* "Oh, Valinda!" (Michael G. Coney)
* "The Gold at the Starbow's End" (Frederik Pohl)
* "To Walk a City's Street" (Clifford D. Simak)
* "Rorqual Maru" (T.J. Bass)
* "Changing Woman" (W. Macfarlane)
* "'Willie's Blues'" (Robert J. Tilley)
* "Long Shot" (Vernor Vinge)
* "Thus Love Betrays Us" (Phyllis MacLennan)
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1973
About the author
Donald A. Wollheim
297 books36 followersDonald Allen Wollheim was a science fiction writer, editor, publisher and fan. He published his own works under pseudonyms, including David Grinnell.
A member of the Futurians, he was one of the leading influences on the development of science fiction and science fiction fandom in the 20th century United States.
In 1937, Wollheim founded the Fantasy Amateur Press Association. The first mailing was distributed in July of that year and included this statement from Wollheim: "There are many fans desiring to put out a voice who dare not, for fear of being obliged to keep it up, and for the worry and time taken by subscriptions and advertising. It is for them and for the fan who admits it is his hobby and not his business that we formed the FAPA."
Wollheim was also a member of the New York Science Fiction League, one of the clubs established by Hugo Gernsback to promote science fiction. When Wollheim published a complaint of non-payment for stories against Gernsback, Gernsback dissolved the New York chapter of the club.
Wollheim's first story, "The Man from Ariel," was published in the January 1934 issue of Wonder Stories when Wollheim was nineteen. Wollheim was not paid for the story and when he began to look into the situation, he learned that many other authors had not been paid for their work, publishing his findings in the Bulletin of the Terrestrial Fantascience Guild. Gernsback eventually settled the case with Wollheim and other authors out of court for $75, but when Wollheim submitted another story to Gernsback, under the pseudonym "Millard Verne Gordon," he was again not paid. One of Wollheim's short stories, "Mimic" was made into the feature film of the same name, which was released in 1997.
He left Avon Books in 1952 to work for A. A. Wyn at Ace Books. In 1953 he introduced science fiction to the Ace lineup, and for 20 years edited their renowned sf list. Ace was well known for the Ace Doubles series which consisted of pairs of books, usually by different authors, bound back-to-back with two "front" covers. Because these paired books had to fit a fixed total page-length, one or both were usually heavily abridged to fit, and Wollheim often made many other editorial alterations and title changes — as witness the many differences between Poul Anderson's Ace novel War of the Wing-Men and its definitive revised edition, The Man Who Counts. It was also during the 1950s he bought the book Junk by William S. Burroughs, which, in his inimitable fashion, he retitled Junkie.
In 1965 Wollheim published an unauthorized Ace edition of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien in three volumes — the first mass-market paperback edition of Tolkien's epic. This was done because Wollheim believed the Houghton Mifflin hardcover editions failed to properly assert copyright. In a 2006 interview, Wollheim's daughter claimed that Tolkien had angered her father by saying that his magnum opus would never be published in so ‘degenerate a form’ as the paperback book. However, Tolkien had previously authorized a paperback edition of The Hobbit in 1961, and eventually supported paperback editions of The Lord of the Rings and several of his other texts. In any case, Ace was forced to cease publishing the unauthorized edition and to pay Tolkien for their sales following a grass-roots campaign and boycott by Tolkien's U.S. fans. In 1993 a court found that the copyright loophole suggested by Ace Books was incorrect and their paperback edition found to have been a violation of Tolkien's copyright under US law.
After leaving Ace he founded DAW Books in 1971, named by his initials, which can claim to be the first mass market specialist science fiction and fantasy fiction publishing house. In later years, when his distributors, New American Library, threatened to withhold distribution of Thomas Burnett Swann's Biblical fantasy How are the Mighty Fallen (1974) because of its homosexual con
A member of the Futurians, he was one of the leading influences on the development of science fiction and science fiction fandom in the 20th century United States.
In 1937, Wollheim founded the Fantasy Amateur Press Association. The first mailing was distributed in July of that year and included this statement from Wollheim: "There are many fans desiring to put out a voice who dare not, for fear of being obliged to keep it up, and for the worry and time taken by subscriptions and advertising. It is for them and for the fan who admits it is his hobby and not his business that we formed the FAPA."
Wollheim was also a member of the New York Science Fiction League, one of the clubs established by Hugo Gernsback to promote science fiction. When Wollheim published a complaint of non-payment for stories against Gernsback, Gernsback dissolved the New York chapter of the club.
Wollheim's first story, "The Man from Ariel," was published in the January 1934 issue of Wonder Stories when Wollheim was nineteen. Wollheim was not paid for the story and when he began to look into the situation, he learned that many other authors had not been paid for their work, publishing his findings in the Bulletin of the Terrestrial Fantascience Guild. Gernsback eventually settled the case with Wollheim and other authors out of court for $75, but when Wollheim submitted another story to Gernsback, under the pseudonym "Millard Verne Gordon," he was again not paid. One of Wollheim's short stories, "Mimic" was made into the feature film of the same name, which was released in 1997.
He left Avon Books in 1952 to work for A. A. Wyn at Ace Books. In 1953 he introduced science fiction to the Ace lineup, and for 20 years edited their renowned sf list. Ace was well known for the Ace Doubles series which consisted of pairs of books, usually by different authors, bound back-to-back with two "front" covers. Because these paired books had to fit a fixed total page-length, one or both were usually heavily abridged to fit, and Wollheim often made many other editorial alterations and title changes — as witness the many differences between Poul Anderson's Ace novel War of the Wing-Men and its definitive revised edition, The Man Who Counts. It was also during the 1950s he bought the book Junk by William S. Burroughs, which, in his inimitable fashion, he retitled Junkie.
In 1965 Wollheim published an unauthorized Ace edition of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien in three volumes — the first mass-market paperback edition of Tolkien's epic. This was done because Wollheim believed the Houghton Mifflin hardcover editions failed to properly assert copyright. In a 2006 interview, Wollheim's daughter claimed that Tolkien had angered her father by saying that his magnum opus would never be published in so ‘degenerate a form’ as the paperback book. However, Tolkien had previously authorized a paperback edition of The Hobbit in 1961, and eventually supported paperback editions of The Lord of the Rings and several of his other texts. In any case, Ace was forced to cease publishing the unauthorized edition and to pay Tolkien for their sales following a grass-roots campaign and boycott by Tolkien's U.S. fans. In 1993 a court found that the copyright loophole suggested by Ace Books was incorrect and their paperback edition found to have been a violation of Tolkien's copyright under US law.
After leaving Ace he founded DAW Books in 1971, named by his initials, which can claim to be the first mass market specialist science fiction and fantasy fiction publishing house. In later years, when his distributors, New American Library, threatened to withhold distribution of Thomas Burnett Swann's Biblical fantasy How are the Mighty Fallen (1974) because of its homosexual con
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 8, 2020
DAW Collectors #53
Cover Artist: Jack Gaughan
Wollheim, Donald Allen. Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA, (October 1914 - 2 November 1990
Alternate Names: Martin Barrow, Graham Conway, Millard Verne Gordon, Millard V. Gordon, David Grinnel,
Contents:
007 - Introduction (The 1973 Annual World's Best SF) • (1973) - Donald A. Wollheim
011 -Goat Song • (1972) - Poul Anderson
044 - The Man Who Walked Home • (1972) - James Tiptree, Jr.
061 - Oh, Valinda! • (1972) - Michael G. Coney
085 - The Gold at the Starbow's End • (1972) - Frederik Pohl
139 = To Walk a City's Street • (1972) = Clifford D. Simak
150 - Rorqual Maru • [Hive] • (1972) - T. J. Bass
183 - Changing Woman • (1972) - W. Macfarlane
200 -"Willie's Blues" • (1972) - Robert J. Tilley
223 - Long Shot • (1972) - by Vernor Vinge
237 - Thus Love Betrays Us • (1972) - Phyllis MacLennan [as by Phyllis MacLennon]
Cover Artist: Jack Gaughan
Wollheim, Donald Allen. Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA, (October 1914 - 2 November 1990
Alternate Names: Martin Barrow, Graham Conway, Millard Verne Gordon, Millard V. Gordon, David Grinnel,
Contents:
007 - Introduction (The 1973 Annual World's Best SF) • (1973) - Donald A. Wollheim
011 -Goat Song • (1972) - Poul Anderson
044 - The Man Who Walked Home • (1972) - James Tiptree, Jr.
061 - Oh, Valinda! • (1972) - Michael G. Coney
085 - The Gold at the Starbow's End • (1972) - Frederik Pohl
139 = To Walk a City's Street • (1972) = Clifford D. Simak
150 - Rorqual Maru • [Hive] • (1972) - T. J. Bass
183 - Changing Woman • (1972) - W. Macfarlane
200 -"Willie's Blues" • (1972) - Robert J. Tilley
223 - Long Shot • (1972) - by Vernor Vinge
237 - Thus Love Betrays Us • (1972) - Phyllis MacLennan [as by Phyllis MacLennon]
June 14, 2021
After several years of collaboratively editing their World's Best annual anthologies of their picks for the best short science fiction stories published in the previous year, Terry Carr and Wollheim began editing separate annual anthologies in 1972. Wollheim had left Ace to found DAW Books, and Carr's series appeared from Ballantine Books (before their line was renamed Del Rey Books). There was no overlap between the two books this year; I wonder if that was by design or chance? Anyway, I believe Carr had the best selection by far in this second year, 1973, with their picks of the best stories that appeared in 1972. Nonetheless, Wollheim's book had some good stories, though I'd have only said that two or three of the them were the best of the year in question. Most notable are: The Man Who Walked Home by James Tiptree, Jr., Rorqual Maru by T.J. Bass, and Long Shot by Vernor Vinge. My favorite was The Gold at the Starbow's End by Frederik Pohl.
March 19, 2021
THE 1973 ANNUAL WORLD’S BEST SF IS RATED 85%.
10 STORIES : 3 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 3 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Science Fiction of the 1970s is still something of a mystery to me and many anthologies from this era are full of stories and authors that I frequently do not recognize. Thankfully, the Wollheim anthologies are filling that gap with short but excellent books. (1975 = 90% and 1978 = 85%)
The 1973 Annual seems to have one foot in the more ‘character driven’ tales of the New Wave and one foot in traditional SF. There were good stories in both forms and not a bad story in the bunch. Strangely, one of the stories that I thought merely average - “Goat Song” - ended up winning the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
There were three Great stories.
“The Man Who Walked Home” by James Tiptree, Jr. A time travel tragedy that spans hundreds of years and can’t truly be understood until the end of your first read. An accident starts a devastating war and creates a crater when a being is appearing at regular intervals to generations of people. But the real tragedy is not the explosion, or the war, but something very human.
“The Gold at the Starbow's End” by Frederik Pohl. This is such a smart story. It overflows with ideas, speculation, and universe changing concepts. 10 people have been sent to Alpha Centauri and start to expand their minds through the study of mathematics and other complex idea. Back on Earth, the United States is imploding and the dark purpose of the space mission is revealed. Superb stuff.
"Willie's Blues" by Robert J. Tilley. This is a story that exudes the passion, wild spirit, and pathos of jazz. A jazz-loving time traveler gets his life mingled with that of his favorite performer and the result is tragic. The writing and the characters jump and dance in this story, but always stop in time for quiet human feeling.
***
THE 1973 ANNUAL WORLD’S BEST SF IS RATED 85%.
3 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 3 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
“Goat Song” by Poul Anderson
Average. Its a SF retelling of the Orpheus myth with plenty of poetry. A man tries to convince an overlord computer - SUM- to return his death wife. The total is less than the sum of its parts here.
“The Man Who Walked Home” by James Tiptree, Jr.
Great. Haunting time travel tragedy that is really different, alienating, and ultimate triste. An explosion devastated the world, but a strange figure keeps appearing to different people over the decades.
“Oh, Valinda!” by Michael G. Coney
Average. While icebergs and giant animals are moved for profit on an alien world, the aliens seem more capable of human emotion than their colonial overlords.
“The Gold at the Starbow's End” by Frederik Pohl
Great. While Earth governments fall into anarchy, a team of 10 astronauts are sent towards a planet around Alpha Centauri, but there is a secret behind the real purpose of the mission.
“To Walk a City's Street” by Clifford D. Simak
Good. A man who brings healing is hired to walk amongst the ill.
”Rorqual Maru” by T. J. Bass
Good. Part of the GodWhale series. Future humans have adapted to the Hive and the Sea, but conflict arrises when krill return to the Ocean.
“Changing Woman” by W. Macfarlane
Average. Native American woman is hired to work on a very well funded project
"Willie's Blues" by Robert J. Tilley
Great. A time-traveling jazz lover repeated meets his favorite musician with powerful and tragic results.
“Long Shot” by Vernor Vinge
Good. Hard SF about an sentient automated spacecraft on a long journey for a purpose that will only later become clear.
“Thus Love Betrays Us” by Phyllis MacLennan [as by Phyllis MacLennon]
Good. A man temporarily left on a rather boring moss-covered world strikes up a tragic friendship with one of the planets inhabitants.
10 STORIES : 3 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 3 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
Science Fiction of the 1970s is still something of a mystery to me and many anthologies from this era are full of stories and authors that I frequently do not recognize. Thankfully, the Wollheim anthologies are filling that gap with short but excellent books. (1975 = 90% and 1978 = 85%)
The 1973 Annual seems to have one foot in the more ‘character driven’ tales of the New Wave and one foot in traditional SF. There were good stories in both forms and not a bad story in the bunch. Strangely, one of the stories that I thought merely average - “Goat Song” - ended up winning the Hugo and Nebula Awards.
There were three Great stories.
“The Man Who Walked Home” by James Tiptree, Jr. A time travel tragedy that spans hundreds of years and can’t truly be understood until the end of your first read. An accident starts a devastating war and creates a crater when a being is appearing at regular intervals to generations of people. But the real tragedy is not the explosion, or the war, but something very human.
“The Gold at the Starbow's End” by Frederik Pohl. This is such a smart story. It overflows with ideas, speculation, and universe changing concepts. 10 people have been sent to Alpha Centauri and start to expand their minds through the study of mathematics and other complex idea. Back on Earth, the United States is imploding and the dark purpose of the space mission is revealed. Superb stuff.
"Willie's Blues" by Robert J. Tilley. This is a story that exudes the passion, wild spirit, and pathos of jazz. A jazz-loving time traveler gets his life mingled with that of his favorite performer and the result is tragic. The writing and the characters jump and dance in this story, but always stop in time for quiet human feeling.
***
THE 1973 ANNUAL WORLD’S BEST SF IS RATED 85%.
3 GREAT / 4 GOOD / 3 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF
“Goat Song” by Poul Anderson
Average. Its a SF retelling of the Orpheus myth with plenty of poetry. A man tries to convince an overlord computer - SUM- to return his death wife. The total is less than the sum of its parts here.
“The Man Who Walked Home” by James Tiptree, Jr.
Great. Haunting time travel tragedy that is really different, alienating, and ultimate triste. An explosion devastated the world, but a strange figure keeps appearing to different people over the decades.
“Oh, Valinda!” by Michael G. Coney
Average. While icebergs and giant animals are moved for profit on an alien world, the aliens seem more capable of human emotion than their colonial overlords.
“The Gold at the Starbow's End” by Frederik Pohl
Great. While Earth governments fall into anarchy, a team of 10 astronauts are sent towards a planet around Alpha Centauri, but there is a secret behind the real purpose of the mission.
“To Walk a City's Street” by Clifford D. Simak
Good. A man who brings healing is hired to walk amongst the ill.
”Rorqual Maru” by T. J. Bass
Good. Part of the GodWhale series. Future humans have adapted to the Hive and the Sea, but conflict arrises when krill return to the Ocean.
“Changing Woman” by W. Macfarlane
Average. Native American woman is hired to work on a very well funded project
"Willie's Blues" by Robert J. Tilley
Great. A time-traveling jazz lover repeated meets his favorite musician with powerful and tragic results.
“Long Shot” by Vernor Vinge
Good. Hard SF about an sentient automated spacecraft on a long journey for a purpose that will only later become clear.
“Thus Love Betrays Us” by Phyllis MacLennan [as by Phyllis MacLennon]
Good. A man temporarily left on a rather boring moss-covered world strikes up a tragic friendship with one of the planets inhabitants.
January 29, 2021
* "Goat Song" (Poul Anderson) Too [L]iterary for me.
* "The Man Who Walked Home" (James Tiptree, Jr.) Good, but I just read it last week.
* "Oh, Valinda!" (Michael G. Coney) On another planet, Earthmen are the advanced race, making decisions about what technology to give to the natives... who are the stage of development we were in the 1970s.... I will look for more by Michael G. Coney
* "The Gold at the Starbow's End" (Frederik Pohl) What is more important to study than physics & maths? Excellent story if read with care. But the time dilation effect seems off; does it to you?
* "To Walk a City's Street" (Clifford D. Simak) Not his typical work, but a short sharp idea-piece.
* "Rorqual Maru" (T.J. Bass) Lots going on, would take many authors a novel to work out, but I've never heard of T.J. Bass so I don't know if I can get more.
* "Changing Woman" (W. Macfarlane) Very cool. I wonder if W. Macfarlane is a woman.
* "'Willie's Blues'" (Robert J. Tilley) Ode to jazz & musicians, in a time-travel gimmick.
* "Long Shot" (Vernor Vinge) Intelligent ship on an interstellar mission. Well-done and interesting. Should have been the last story.
* "Thus Love Betrays Us" (Phyllis MacLennan) I much prefer Longyear's "Enemy Mine" and wish this wasn't how the book ended. Blech.
It seems that SF was getting more creative, literary, experimental, at about this time. Wollheim says as much in his introduction. I'm less interested in the pulp shorts of the 70s, and so is he... I may or may not read further in this Annual Best (this is the oldest that I have access to atm.)
* "The Man Who Walked Home" (James Tiptree, Jr.) Good, but I just read it last week.
* "Oh, Valinda!" (Michael G. Coney) On another planet, Earthmen are the advanced race, making decisions about what technology to give to the natives... who are the stage of development we were in the 1970s.... I will look for more by Michael G. Coney
* "The Gold at the Starbow's End" (Frederik Pohl) What is more important to study than physics & maths? Excellent story if read with care. But the time dilation effect seems off; does it to you?
* "To Walk a City's Street" (Clifford D. Simak) Not his typical work, but a short sharp idea-piece.
* "Rorqual Maru" (T.J. Bass) Lots going on, would take many authors a novel to work out, but I've never heard of T.J. Bass so I don't know if I can get more.
* "Changing Woman" (W. Macfarlane) Very cool. I wonder if W. Macfarlane is a woman.
* "'Willie's Blues'" (Robert J. Tilley) Ode to jazz & musicians, in a time-travel gimmick.
* "Long Shot" (Vernor Vinge) Intelligent ship on an interstellar mission. Well-done and interesting. Should have been the last story.
* "Thus Love Betrays Us" (Phyllis MacLennan) I much prefer Longyear's "Enemy Mine" and wish this wasn't how the book ended. Blech.
It seems that SF was getting more creative, literary, experimental, at about this time. Wollheim says as much in his introduction. I'm less interested in the pulp shorts of the 70s, and so is he... I may or may not read further in this Annual Best (this is the oldest that I have access to atm.)
November 16, 2022
I'm afraid if this was the best that 1973 could come up with it was definitely the decade that time forgot.
Two of the stories - by Paul Anderson and T.J. Bass - are actually parts of novels and are hard appreciate as individual chunks. Fredrick Pohl's "The Gold At The Starbow's End " seems at first to be a refreshing Slower-Than-Light interstellar yarn, but its handling of sunlight speeds is not good and the ending is ridiculous. However, Phyllis Mclennon's "Thus Love Betrays Us" is interesting as it shows a truly alien culture, albeit in a very minor key. "Long Shot" by Vernor Vince stretches the phrase beyond its elastic point as we are meant to believe a human baby is going to be brought up by a half-demented space probe on an Alpha Centauri planet in order for humanity to survive an unspecified cataclysm.
"Willie Blues" by Robert J. Tiley is about a time traveller who has nothing better to do but ensure that a musician becomes a great blues player by playing him one of his own later works that he hasn't performed yet.
Only "The Man Who Walked Home"by James Tiptree Jr. is any way memorable, as it has a novel twist on the dangers of time-travel.
Two of the stories - by Paul Anderson and T.J. Bass - are actually parts of novels and are hard appreciate as individual chunks. Fredrick Pohl's "The Gold At The Starbow's End " seems at first to be a refreshing Slower-Than-Light interstellar yarn, but its handling of sunlight speeds is not good and the ending is ridiculous. However, Phyllis Mclennon's "Thus Love Betrays Us" is interesting as it shows a truly alien culture, albeit in a very minor key. "Long Shot" by Vernor Vince stretches the phrase beyond its elastic point as we are meant to believe a human baby is going to be brought up by a half-demented space probe on an Alpha Centauri planet in order for humanity to survive an unspecified cataclysm.
"Willie Blues" by Robert J. Tiley is about a time traveller who has nothing better to do but ensure that a musician becomes a great blues player by playing him one of his own later works that he hasn't performed yet.
Only "The Man Who Walked Home"by James Tiptree Jr. is any way memorable, as it has a novel twist on the dangers of time-travel.
May 24, 2020
Reading this shows why the "greats" are remembered and read, and the rest slip into obscurity.
"Goat Song" (Poul Anderson) - good
"The Man Who Walked Home" (James Tiptree, Jr.) - excellent
"Oh, Valinda!" (Michael G. Coney) - dull
"The Gold at the Starbow's End" (Frederik Pohl) - excellent
"To Walk a City's Street" (Clifford D. Simak) - dull
"Rorqual Maru" (T. J. Bass) - confusing but mildly interesting
"Changing Woman" (W. Macfarlane) - confusing and dull
"'Willie's Blues'" (Robert J. Tilley) - quite interesting except the ending sort of fizzled out
"Long Shot" (Vernor Vinge) - very good
"Thus Love Betrays Us" (Phyllis MacLennon) - ok
"Goat Song" (Poul Anderson) - good
"The Man Who Walked Home" (James Tiptree, Jr.) - excellent
"Oh, Valinda!" (Michael G. Coney) - dull
"The Gold at the Starbow's End" (Frederik Pohl) - excellent
"To Walk a City's Street" (Clifford D. Simak) - dull
"Rorqual Maru" (T. J. Bass) - confusing but mildly interesting
"Changing Woman" (W. Macfarlane) - confusing and dull
"'Willie's Blues'" (Robert J. Tilley) - quite interesting except the ending sort of fizzled out
"Long Shot" (Vernor Vinge) - very good
"Thus Love Betrays Us" (Phyllis MacLennon) - ok
August 21, 2025
Second one in the series (HC editions ) and I have to say this collection was great! So really heady stuff mixed with a few pulpy/ classic sci fi gems. Only one story really fell flat for me, just don’t think it was my type of sci fi, but every other story was well worth the time. The big standouts for me were the story by Tiptree Jr. and Fred Pohl. The last story by MacLennon is also a gut punch that is very much worth your time.
August 13, 2020
There were only a few stories that I had not read before. Most were meh to horrible. I did like The Man Who Walked Home and Willies Blues.
June 5, 2022
Although I'd previously written a generic review of this '73 edition, I realized when I finished reading it, that I had somehow switched the dust jackets with the '75 edition. So, these comments will be a bit more than I wrote originally.
Anyone who is a true Sci-Fi fan rather than a "speculative fiction" reader will be very familiar with Donald Wollheim. He is undoubtedly the best AND most prolific editor of short science fiction. Given that there were thousands of short stories produced at the dawn of the Sci-Fi genre, Wollheim had an almost endless supply to choose from, and so many were from the eventual Grand Masters of this genre. Wollheim, using his unique skill of finding the best of these each year, became one of the greatest editors and anthologists of all time.
I would have loved discussing his selection process with him. How was he able to be so consistent, always finding the best of the best year after year, after year.
This edition will definitely satisfy. My favorite, Frederick Pohl's "The Gold at Starbow's End" which reminded me a little of Greg Bear's novel "Moving Mars", and mentions to Triptree's "The Man Who Walked Home" which was emotionally moving, and T. J. Bass's "Rorqual Maru", a big fish story?
Thanks again DW
P.S. off to revise my review of '75🙃
Anyone who is a true Sci-Fi fan rather than a "speculative fiction" reader will be very familiar with Donald Wollheim. He is undoubtedly the best AND most prolific editor of short science fiction. Given that there were thousands of short stories produced at the dawn of the Sci-Fi genre, Wollheim had an almost endless supply to choose from, and so many were from the eventual Grand Masters of this genre. Wollheim, using his unique skill of finding the best of these each year, became one of the greatest editors and anthologists of all time.
I would have loved discussing his selection process with him. How was he able to be so consistent, always finding the best of the best year after year, after year.
This edition will definitely satisfy. My favorite, Frederick Pohl's "The Gold at Starbow's End" which reminded me a little of Greg Bear's novel "Moving Mars", and mentions to Triptree's "The Man Who Walked Home" which was emotionally moving, and T. J. Bass's "Rorqual Maru", a big fish story?
Thanks again DW
P.S. off to revise my review of '75🙃
July 5, 2016
This book abounds with innovative stories and excerpts from some of the most well-known and acclaimed writers of science fiction. The main theme running through these stories is that of alienation. Loneliness, abandonment and loss resulting from betrayal permeate these stories as man, machine and extraterrestrials fight to deal with what happens when they are stranded in foreign territories or ripped from those they love.
Perhaps the best of these stories is the first one “Goat Song” in which a man suspects that humanity has been lied to about the return of their loved ones in some unimagined future and that the machine supposedly making everything smoother, easier and painless is actually keeping them in thrall—not through malice but simply because it’s fulfilling its function to the best of its abilities. Shrewd readers will see echoes of these stories in some of their pet science fiction shows and movies, proving that some themes are universal and long lived.
These stories are over four decades old but resound with contemporary themes and deserve to be re-introduced to avid scifi fans.
Perhaps the best of these stories is the first one “Goat Song” in which a man suspects that humanity has been lied to about the return of their loved ones in some unimagined future and that the machine supposedly making everything smoother, easier and painless is actually keeping them in thrall—not through malice but simply because it’s fulfilling its function to the best of its abilities. Shrewd readers will see echoes of these stories in some of their pet science fiction shows and movies, proving that some themes are universal and long lived.
These stories are over four decades old but resound with contemporary themes and deserve to be re-introduced to avid scifi fans.
April 1, 2011
A decent collection of stories. I had read "The Gold at the Starbow's End" before, but enjoyed it quite a bit both times. The least enjoyable story, I found, was the last, "Thus Love Betrays Us." I really did not understand it at all.
Usually I do a more thorough review of short story collections, making a comment about each of the stories, but this was my purse book, which means I carry it around to read in waiting rooms and the like. I started it last September, so I don't really remember many details. I think that might say something, though; that possibly these stories aren't terribly memorable.
Usually I do a more thorough review of short story collections, making a comment about each of the stories, but this was my purse book, which means I carry it around to read in waiting rooms and the like. I started it last September, so I don't really remember many details. I think that might say something, though; that possibly these stories aren't terribly memorable.
August 3, 2013
It's okay. More fantasy than science fiction. I was disappointed in the story about the guy who is this great singer but who has this love that died. It's basically a Greek Myth rewritten. He goes to "hell" but looks back and she is lost. Ho hum. The last story was interesting and started out reading like fantasy. I enjoyed it. Otherwise the book is just okay.
January 12, 2014
The Gold At Starbow's End is just killer.
The Man Who Walked Home is the Tiptree story that turned me on to her.
Don't remember the others that well, though I currently have the book along with all the others in the series. It's been quite a while.
If you don't get this collection, find those two stories somewhere else. But don't miss them!
The Man Who Walked Home is the Tiptree story that turned me on to her.
Don't remember the others that well, though I currently have the book along with all the others in the series. It's been quite a while.
If you don't get this collection, find those two stories somewhere else. But don't miss them!
July 7, 2010
Welcome to Donald Wollheim's estimation of the best science fiction of 1973. Inclouded in these pages: Poul Anderson's exquisite "Goat Song," James Tiptree, Jr's "The Man Who Walked Home," Clifford Simak's "To Walk a City's Street," and so on.
September 22, 2013
Great collection of stories. "Willie's Blues" was particularly poignant, and a couple of these were actually pretty scary.
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