FORGOTTEN BOOKS #191: AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION: 1953-1956 & 1956-1958 Edited by Gary K. Wolfe


Most readers of this blog have probably read most, if not all, of the classic science fiction novels in these wonderful Library of American volumes. No matter. These novels were the books I read growing up as a science fiction fan. Yes, I’d quibble about some of the inclusions. I might have chosen other novels by authors like Murray Leinster and Edmund Hamilton. But these titles are the basic building blocks of a science fiction collection. I bought these tomes for the usual Library of America quality and in the hopes the financial success of these volumes might lead to future volumes that take more risks with the choice of material. You should check out the dedicated LOA website for these SF volumes here and especially check out the cover artwork gallery!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Volume ONE:
Frederik Pohl & C. M. Kornbluth’s The Space Merchants
Theodore Sturgeon’s More Than Human
Leigh Brackett’s The Long Tomorrow
Richard Matheson’s The Shrinking Man
VOLUME TWO:
Robert A. Heinlein’s Double Star
Alfred Bester’s The Stars My Destination
James Blish’s A Case of Conscience
Algis Budrys’ Who?
Fritz Leiber’s The Big Time

21 thoughts on “FORGOTTEN BOOKS #191: AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION: 1953-1956 & 1956-1958 Edited by Gary K. Wolfe

    1. george Post author

      Sergio, I was very impressed with the Library of America website supporting AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION (OF THE FIFTIES). I had many of the original editions pictured in the Gallery. Now those books reside in the Special Collections at SUNY at Buffalo.

      Reply
  1. Jeff Meyerson

    Love the covers! But then, I love the LOA in general. I have not read all of these but I’m catching up on the few I’ve missed now. I just got the Brackett, for example.

    Reply
  2. Richard R

    I’ve thought about this one and decided, since I have read them all and have all but 2 on my shelves, not to buy it. I no longer want to do that kind f duplication just to have the handsome – and it is! – set. I hope they do another of the 60s.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      I’m a sucker for the Library of America format, Randy. Plus, my original copies reside at SUNY at Buffalo’s Special Collections now.

      Reply
  3. Drongo

    Quite a pick, George.

    I approve of all these selections, Stars My Destination was indeed different than any other novel of the 50’s. (That one and Demolished Man still seem different than everything else, even today.) Nicola Griffith seems pissed that a Brackett novel written in 1955 isn’t more politically correct, Matheson is a wonderful writer, and Budrys was one of the smartest, most sophisticated sf novelists ever.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      For the casual SF reader, Drongo, these Library of America choices are perfectly acceptable…and safe. If I were the editor, I might have been a bit bolder in my selections. But, for most readers who are unfamiliar with these classics, this is a great set!

      Reply
  4. Drongo

    George, I think readers unfamiliar with these classics are pretty much the target audience.

    I haven’t given it serious thought, but there are some changes I’d make. A different Heinlein maybe, and a Wilson Tucker would have been nice. I’m curious about your bolder choices.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      How about these alternatives, Drongo:
      The Voyage of the Space Beagle by A. E. Van Vogt
      The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov
      Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore
      Martians, Go Home by Fredric Brown
      The City at World’s End by Edmond Hamilton
      War with the Gizmos by Murray Leinster

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      With a little more thought I came up with Jack Vance’s THE LANGUAGES OF PAO and Clifford D. Simak’s CITY, Drongo. I think Fredric Brown is a very underrated and underappreciated writer.

      Reply
  5. Todd Mason

    Yeah. I’d plump for THE LIGHTS IN THE SKY ARE STARS. And, as I suggested in blogservation (koff) with Bill Crider, probably TIME AND AGAIN for Simak, since CITY is properly a product of his 1940s writing. The Ward Moore would’ve been a fine addition. I can’t imagine losing THE BIG TIME for any of the items on your list, George, but I might lose DOUBLE STAR for them…

    Reply
  6. Todd Mason

    That, and it’s probably one of the least shambolic or (STARSHIP TROOPERS) polarizing of his novels of the decade. Of course, the real dribbling on would begin with STRANGER, with the major exception being THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS…

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      I’m probably in the minority, Todd, but I much prefer THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS to STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND. I loved STARSHIP TROOPERS as a kid, but I’m not sure I’d enjoy it as much today.

      Reply
  7. Becky

    Has anyone here checked out Edgar Swamp’s latest book, “The Gyre Mission: Journey to the *sshole of the World?” I found it to be a great book- a book about mutants; genetically altered animals and humans who’ve lost all trace of their former selves.

    http://www.edgarswamp.com/

    Reply
  8. Becky

    You are welcome. I hope you enjoy the Gyre Mission as much as I did. I will definitely check out “The Passage” and “The Twelve.”

    Reply

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