Using Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics as a starting point, Campbell tries to create a mental structure by which humanity is defined. Told in first person journals, a mentally handicapped man has his intelligence increased by scientific experimentation. A man visits a young couple who has been projecting their psi-powers. Lives are forever changed with a mermaid washes ashore. “The Shoreline at Sunset” by Ray Bradbury. A riveting Cold War tale of secret Soviet KGB science experiments and the people who undertook them. “No, No, Not Rogov!” by Cordwainer Smith. Mediocre tale of physiological testing with a decent twist ending. The first Davidson story that I could actually finish. Charming, but dated, fantasy about alternate worlds and alternate wives.Īverage. A fun little story about the ‘little people’ behind the ‘great ones.’ In Hollywood and life. 20 Stories : 5 great / 12 good / 3 average / 0 poor / 0 DNF So much style here! A young boy and a dying astronaut and the ocean and you. “The Man Who Lost the Sea” by Theodore Sturgeon. Flashes of horror amongst attempts at humanity. But nothing is normal about the state of this world. It might be Saturday and in an attempt at normalcy, a family tries to spend a simple day at the beach. A tale of decency, integrity, and sacrifice. A rural man treats a dying alien with dignity and respect, even when no one else in the world will. It has sometime important to say about the value of human beings and the value of science.

Exceptional and innovative prose styling. This bittersweet novella tells the story of a mentally handicapped man who undergoes scientific experimentation to become more intelligent. There may not be a more complete work of Science Fiction. Bradbury was a master of mood and emotion, showing in brief beautiful perfection of this fable. So other work of Fantasy hits me a powerfully as Bradbury’s story of a mermaid that washes ashore and changes the lives of a few young men.

There is, however, a weird focus by editor Judith Merril on calling out Kingsley Amis for his criticism of science fiction in an article. It is one of the best “Best of the Year” volumes I’ve come across. They are very short essays that might have been interesting at the time, but are forgettable today. Even the average stories in this book aren’t that average.

This is an exceptional anthology which contains arguably the greatest Science Fiction short story and the greatest Fantasy story ever written … in the same collection! There are five great stories here and 12 good stories that range from entertaining diversions to seriously interesting. Read this book yourself: Buy this book on Amazon. AVERAGE STORY: 4.10 20 Stories : 5 great / 12 good / 3 average / 0 poor / 0 DNF

S-F by Judith Merril