Customer Reviews (1)

Not Free SF Reader
Less than your standard reprint anthology quality to be found here, at only 3.40. Not much of note other than the Waldrop and Martin.

Donald Wollheim 10 : Variation On a Theme from Beethoven - Sharon Webb
Donald Wollheim 10 : Beatnik Bayou - John Varley
Donald Wollheim 10 : Elbow Room - Marion Zimmer Bradley
Donald Wollheim 10 : The Ugly Chickens - Howard Waldrop
Donald Wollheim 10 : Prime Time - Norman Spinrad
Donald Wollheim 10 : Nightflyers - George R. R. Martin
Donald Wollheim 10 : A Spaceship Built of Stone - Lisa Tuttle
Donald Wollheim 10 : Window - Bob Leman
Donald Wollheim 10 : The Summer Sweet the Winter Wild - Michael G. Coney
Donald Wollheim 10 : Achronos - Lee Killough


Mortality? Scary idea.

3 out of 5


Age specific education and punishment.

3.5 out of 5


Checkout the loner.

3.5 out of 5


If dodos weren't finger lickin' good, saying would need revision.

4 out of 5


Total tv heaven.

3 out of 5


Scary spaceship slaughter single.

4 out of 5


Alien Anasazi.

2.5 out of 5


Alternate world discovery attack leftovers.

4 out of 5


Herd pain.

3 out of 5


Time sanctuary sensation seeker turnoff.

3.5 out of 5




3.5 out of 5 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Very Good Anthology
The title may be a bit inaccurate, but this is a good collection of short speculative fiction.This is a collection of 10 stories, which were originally published in 1983, and it is the collection itself which was published in June of 1984.Six of these stories have won awards or been recognized in the SF community.

'Blood Music' by Greg Bear was first published in Analog in June of 1983.It is the story of a scientist who crates "smart" cells using biotechnology and then injects them into himself.Greg Bear would eventually publish a novel with this name in 1985.This story won both the Nebula and Hugo awards for best novelette, and it also finished 4th for the Locus Award and 3rd on the SF Chronicle poll for novelettes.It was recognized again in the 1999 Locus All-Time poll for novelettes where it tied for 13th.

'Potential' by Isaac Asimov was first published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in February of 1983.It is one of Asimov's Multivac stories, where they are looking for humans with the potential for telepathy.I have read some criticism of this story where it was called "meaningless", but I would have to disagree.It is only 8 pages long, and even though it is a story of such short length it does have a message.It was ranked 16th on the 1984 Locus Awards for short stories.

`Knight of Shallows' by Rand B. Lee was first published in Amazing Science Fiction in July of 1983.This is a Multiverse scenario where a man learns that another universe's version of him is traveling to different universes and murdering that universe's version of him.This novelette did not receive any awards, but I thought it held up fairly well with the other stories in this collection.

`Spending a Day at the Lottery Fair' by Frederik Pohl was first published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction in October of 1983.This story deals with the subject of overpopulation.Any further discussion of it would act as a spoiler, so it will suffice it to say that it is worth reading.This story finished 3rd for the 1984 Locus Award for short stories.

`In The Face of My Enemy' by Joseph H. Delaney was first published in Analog in April of 1983.An investigator tries to determine whether a planet is suitable to be colonized or exploited, but the company that holds the rights is less than helpful in the process.This novella was nominated for the Hugo, and finished 10th for the 1984 Locus Award for novellas.

`The Nanny' by Thomas Wylde was first published in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in July of 1983.In this end of Earth scenario a man is sent to try to plant the seed of humanity on a planet around Alpha Centauri.This novella does not have the most original story plot, but it reads well.

`The Leaves of October' by Don Sakers was first published by Analog in August of 1983.In this story a tree is brought back to Earth from another planet, and it tries to make humans aware that his kind is sentient.This story was rate 3rd for Novellas/Novelettes by the Analog Analytical Laboratory (annual reader's poll).A novel length version of this story was published in 1988.

`As Time Goes By' by Tanith Lee was first published in Chrysalis 10 in April of 1983.This is a time paradox story involving faster than light space travel.It isn't clear why this particular novelette was included in the collection.It is not a bad story, but I found it to be the weakest in the collection.

`The Harvest of Wolves' by Mary Gentle was first published in December of 1983.Of the stories in this collection this would be the closest to a "1984" story.A woman tries to defend her welfare status and avoid being declared unfit to live.This short story (8 pages) may not have won any awards, but definitely holds its own.

`Homefaring' by Robert Silverberg was first published in Phantasia in 1983.This is one of the best stories in the collection.A man's consciousness is sent forward in time, where he finds himself sharing the body of a future resident of Earth.This story was nominated for a Nebula Award for novellas, and finished 3rd on the SF Chronicle for 1984 and 4th for the Locus Award. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not Free SF Reader
The last volume of this series, and a pretty good one. The editor had help from Arthur W. Saha with some mechanics I guess, presumably because as the very brief intro says, he was too ill at the time to do some of it.

Overall, a very good finish, not quite excellent, being your bit over 4.25 round up to 4.50 book, as there are no real standouts, just a bunch of good stories, with the odd average piece in the middle.

Donald Wollheim 19 : Alphas - Gregory Benford
Donald Wollheim 19 : The Magic Bullet - Brian M. Stableford
Donald Wollheim 19 : North of the Abyss - Brian W. Aldiss
Donald Wollheim 19 : Chip Runner - Robert Silverberg
Donald Wollheim 19 : Abe Lincoln in McDonald's - James Morrow
Donald Wollheim 19 : Death Ship - Barrington J. Bayley
Donald Wollheim 19 : In Translation - Lisa Tuttle
Donald Wollheim 19 : A Sleep and a Forgetting - Robert Silverberg
Donald Wollheim 19 : Not Without Honor - Judith Moffett
Donald Wollheim 19 : Dogwalker - Orson Scott Card
Donald Wollheim 19 : Surrender - Lucius Shepard
Donald Wollheim 19 : War Fever - J. G. Ballard


Journey to the Centre of Venus, no thanks.

4 out of 5


Female immortality killing.

4 out of 5


Anubis wifewhacker reject.

3 out of 5


Anor3xic electron wannabe.

3.5 out of 5


Presidential sl@ve android adjustment.

3.5 out of 5


Human history time punishment.

3 out of 5


Boohoo. Do me, not the alien.

3.5 out of 5


Genghis Crusade creation.

3.5 out of 5


Mickey Mouse Club Marsnaut alien role model.

4 out of 5


Password Man green plan goes gooey.

4 out of 5


Guatemalan mini-mutant mass@cre.

4 out of 5


Blue beret innoculation experiment overthrow.

4 out of 5




4.5 out of 5 ... Read more

Product Description
DAW hardcover with dust jacket, Science Fiction Book Club reprint of mass paperback original, SFBC #5524, 1st club printing Aug. 1981 (code L39), 243 pages, cover art by John Gampert. Exclusive hadcover edition. 8vo (5.5" x 8.5" tall) 1982 Locus Poll Award, Best Anthology (Place: 7). Includes: Variation on a Theme from Beethoven, by Sharon Webb (1981 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 9)); Beatnik Bayou, by John Varley (nominated, 1980 Nebula Award, 1981 Hugo Award. 1981 Locus Poll Award, Best Novelette (Place: 2)); Elbow Room, by Marion Zimmer Bradley; The Ugly Chickens, by Howard Waldrop (winner, 1980 Nebula Award, 1981 World Fantasy Award; nominated, 1981 Balrog Award, 1981 Hugo Award); Prime Time, by Norman Spinrad (1981 Locus Poll Award, Best Short Story (Place: 11)); Nightflyers, by George R. R. Martin (winner, 1980 Analog Award. 1981 Locus Poll Award, Best Novella (Place: 1). nominated, 1981 Hugo Award); A Spaceship Built of Stone, by Lisa Tuttle; Window, by Bob Leman (nominated, 1980 Nebula Award; 1981 Locus Poll Award, Best Short Story (Place: 4)); The Summer Sweet, the Winter Wild, by Michael G. Coney; Achronos, by Lee Killough. ... Read more

Product Description
Cover code #H-15 indicates first edition (reprinted in 1970 as "World's Best Science Fiction: Second Series"). A selection of the best of 1965's short fiction: "Sunjammer" by Arthur C. Clarke; "Calling Dr. Clockwork" by Ron Goulart; "Becalmed in Hell" by Larry Niven; "Apartness" by Vernor Vinge; "Over the River and Through the Woods" by Clifford D. Simak; "Planet of Forgetting" by James H. Schmitz' "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" by Harlan Ellison; "The Decision Maker" by Joseph Green; "Traveler's Rest" by David I. Masson; "Uncollected Works" by Lin Carter; "Vanishing Point" by Jonathan Brand; "In Our Block" by R.A. Lafferty; "Masque of the Red Shift" by Fred Saberhagen; "The Captive Djinn" by Christopher Anvil; and "The Good New Days" by Fritz Leiber. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lives Up To The "Best"
"World's Best Science Fiction: 1966" is the second anthology from the editors Donald A. Wollheim & Terry Carr.Inside are fifteen stories which were first published during 1965, although there is one exception; Arthur C. Clarke's "Sunjammer", which was first published in "Boy's Life" in March of 1964.The majority of these stories received nominations for a Nebula award.This was the Nebula Award's first year, and they allowed a lot of nominations.Nevertheless, with seven of the short stories in this collection nominated, and four of the novelettes, clearly many of the works included here were highly thought of.

The most renown of the stories in this collection clearly is `"Repent Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman' by Harlan Ellison.This story won the Hugo and the Nebula awards for short story in 1966, and tied for 7th on the 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll for short fiction.It also finished 2nd in the 1999 Locus All-Time Poll for Short Stories.It is a tremendous story of a man who rebels against a system where time has become the force which controls society.

There are numerous well-known authors with works included in this collection.In addition to the aforementioned Ellison and Clarke, we have selections from seasoned writers such as Clifford D. Simak ("Over the River and Through the Woods"), James H. Schmitz ("Planet of Forgetting"), Lin Carter ("Uncollected Works"), Fritz Leiber ("The Good New Days"), and a Berserker story from Fred Saberhagen ("Masque of the Red Shift").There are also stories from newer authors at the time, such as Larry Niven ("Becalmed in Hell"), and the first story from Vernor Vinge ("Apartness").

Wollheim and Carr would publish a total of six of these anthologies together, with Donald Wollheim continuing the series after Terry Carr's leaving with Arthur W. Saha until Wollheim's death in 1990.Terry Carr went on to start another anthology series called "Best Science Fiction of the Year" until his death in 1987.While this collection doesn't include international stories the way the 1965 collection did, it does live up to the title of "Best" with a superb collection of stories.
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Customer Reviews (2)

1980 was a good year for novels, not short stories
This was a BEST of collection? Besides my being born in 1980, that year in science fiction must have been pretty crappy. Actually, a number of decent novels were written in 1980, including Sundiver by David Brin, Timescape by Gregory Benford, Beyond Heaven's River by Greg Bear and Dragon's Egg by Robert L. Forward. Somehow, the short stories in this year just weren't up to par with the novels which the same year produced.

Of the ten stories, four caught my eye:
Sucharitkul (from his Inquestor series which is beautifully written, Varley (whose other works I don't care much for), Niven (THE Niven) and Ted Reynolds (with a surprising good story). These four were really good, but the others were so lackluster that it brought the entire collection down. Better BEST OF's out there.

Not Free SF Reader
A good book, but just a reasonable Year's Best anthology, at 3.64, with Varley the pick of the writers. Too much average stuff here.

Donald Wollheim 09 : The Way of Cross and Dragon - George R. R. Martin
Donald Wollheim 09 : The Thirteenth Utopia - Somtow Sucharitkul
Donald Wollheim 09 : Options - John Varley
Donald Wollheim 09 : Unaccompanied Sonata - Orson Scott Card
Donald Wollheim 09 : The Story Writer - Richard Wilson
Donald Wollheim 09 : Daisy in the Sun - Connie Willis
Donald Wollheim 09 : The Locusts - Larry Niven and Steven Barnes
Donald Wollheim 09 : The Thaw - Tanith Lee
Donald Wollheim 09 : Out There Where the Big Ships Go - Richard Cowper
Donald Wollheim 09 : Can These Bones Live? - Ted Reynolds
Donald Wollheim 09 : The Extraordinary Voyages of Amélie Bertrand - Joanna Russ


Judas Star Knights.

3.5 out of 5


Live star Udara.

3 out of 5


Transgender tryouts.

4.5 out of 5


Prodigy punishment.

3.5 out of 5


Alien prophet scribe.

3 out of 5


Don't wanna grow up. Sun gonna blow up.

So probably not such a problem.

3.5 out of 5


Monkey kid evolutionary peak.

4 out of 5


Greatetcgrannicicle now bloodnut alien people eater.

4 out of 5


Joining the Game, Master.

3 out of 5


Bring these guys back instead, they are much cooler.

4 out of 5


Station destination immense variation.

4 out of 5 ... Read more

Product Description
This Halcyon Classics ebook is Donald A. Wollheim's sci-fi thriller THE SECRET OF THE NINTH PLANET.

On the day that the theft of the solar system's light begins, Burl Denning is with an archaeological expedition in the Andes, only a few miles from the source of the "disturbance." Within hours the United States Air Force has ordered the expedition to investigate the strange phenomenon that is causing a dimness and a drop in temperature throughout the world.

This is the start of a fantastic adventure that eventually takes Burl, a high-school senior, on the first circumnavigation of the solar system. On planet after planet, he and the crew of the Magellan, a gleaming, powerful, and virtually untested spaceship, discover the weird trappings of a brilliantly-designed Sun-tap station. Each planetfall brings unexpected hazards, as the ship draws closer and closer to solving the mystery of the theft.

Donald Allen Wollheim (1914-1990) was an American science fiction writer, editor, and publisher.A founding 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.
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