All-American Alien Boy

by Allen M. Steele

Book by Allen M. Steele

Genres: Science Fiction, Collections, Short Stories, Hard Science Fiction, Fiction, Anthologies

206 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Before becoming a science fiction writer, Allen Steele was a journalist for newspapers and magazines in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Missouri, and his home state of Tennessee. But science fiction was his first love, so he eventually ditched journalism and began producing that which had made him decide to become a writer in the first place.

Since then, Steele has published eighteen novels and nearly one hundred short stories. His work has received numerous accolades, including three Hugo Awards, and has been translated worldwide, mainly into languages he can’t read. He serves on the board of advisors for the Space Frontier Foundation and is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. He also belongs to Sigma, a group of science fiction writers who frequently serve as unpaid consultants on matters regarding technology and security.

Allen Steele is a lifelong space buff, and this interest has not only influenced his writing, it has taken him to some interesting places. He has witnessed numerous space shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center and has flown NASA’s shuttle cockpit simulator at the Johnson Space Center. In 2001, he testified before the US House of Representatives in hearings regarding the future of space exploration. He would like very much to go into orbit, and hopes that one day he’ll be able to afford to do so.

Steele lives in western Massachusetts with his wife, Linda, and a continual procession of adopted dogs. He collects vintage science fiction books and magazines, spacecraft model kits, and dreams.

Reviews

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a a short story collection by SF pro Allen Steele. Containing 11 stories, these all take place on Earth, rather than space, but they stories are well written and effective.

Each story is preceded by a short introduction from the author, and I found those interesting as well. Of course, I like Steele's work.

The two stories I personally enjoyed most were "Doblin's Lecture" and "The Good Rat".

Recommended for any SF reader, a good variety of stories and some interesting premises.

Read before I joined GR to dates unknown.



Edited 6-1-14 to fix typos.

[Andrew Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone said: to come later and stuff... Because sleep

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great collection of short fiction from Steele. This one includes "2,437 UFOs Over New Hampshire," "Mudzilla's Last Stand," "Riders in the Sky," and many other goodies, including the funniest title ever for those of us who remember the seagull dominating all of the bookstores a few decades back, "Jonathan Livingstone Seaslug." The final story, "The Good Rat," is deservedly one of the best-regarded classic stories of the genre.

[Mark Catalfano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting that most of the stories are set in STL

The ones I liked from this one were “Riders in the Sky” and “The Good Rat,” and I previously liked “Dublin’s Lecture” from Hartwell’s years best series.