I thoroughly enjoy these volumes in the Isaac Asimov’s Wonderful Worlds of Science Fiction series. Tin Stars, the fifth book in the series, features stories of Future Crime. My favorite story in this anthology is Ron Goulart’s clever “Into the Shop,” a fable about what can happen if robots designed to enforce the Law malfunction. The most famous story in Tin Stars is “Brillo” by Ben Bova and Harlan Ellison. Ellison sued Paramount alleging their Future Cop series plagiarized “Brillo.” Henry Slesar’s classic “Examination Day” shows the power of control…and its dangers. If you’re looking for an entertaining SF collection, Tin Stars will surprise and delight you. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- “Introduction” (Isaac Asimov) — 7
- “Into the Shop” (Ron Goulart) –11
- “Cloak of Anarchy” (Larry Niven) –22
- “The King’s Legions” (Christopher Anvil) –44
- “Finger of Fate” (Edward Wellen) — 98
- “Arm of the Law” (Harry Harrison) — 109
- “Voiceover” (Edward Wellen) — 126
- “The Fastest Draw” (Larry Eisenberg) — 154
- “Mirror Image” (Isaac Asimov) — 163
- “Brillo” (Ben Bova and Harlan Ellison) — 180
- “The Powers of Observation” (Harry Harrison) — 214
- “Faithfully Yours” (Lou Tabakow) — 230
- “Safe Harbor” (Donald Wismer) –249
- “Examination Day” (Henry Slesar) — 272
- “The Cruel Equations” (Robert Sheckley) — 277
- “Animal Lover” (Stephen R. Donaldson) — 291
I am wondering if you would like KLARA AND THE SUN, which deals with AI-in the form of friends. Not sure it worked for me although NEVER LET ME GO did.
Patti, I would love to read KLARA AND THE SUN!
I remember the Goulart story.
Nice cover!
Jeff, all the covers on the ISAAC ASIMOV’S WONDERFUL WORLD OF SCIENCE FICTION series really catch your eye!
Looks like a very readable anthology…Donaldson being the only writer in the TOC whose work I’ve never liked, but I haven’t read that one (“Anvil” wrote a lot of Cute Notion stories, but some with some heft; Wismer is the only one I have no memory of reading). I don’t remember if the sf sitcom HOLMES AND YOYO actually tread carefully with Ellison and Bova, or was sufficiently less obviously imitative than FUTURE COP as a farcical show.
Todd, like you I’ve never been a Donaldson fan, either. I rarely part with signed First Editions, but I traded a Donaldson hardcover for “Store Credit” at a local used bookstore. I needed more shelf space.
Ha! Though I might well’ve tried to sell it for toppest dollar, if he still has a residue of his following.
Todd, I try to support the few local used bookstores by buying books and “trading” books for “Store Credit.” I’m sure there’s a Donaldson fan out there somewhere who wants a signed First Edition of his work.
Sounds like a keeper! Coincidentally, I’ve been watching some Harlan Ellison Speaks videos on YouTube lately! The guy was a trip, as we used to say!
Bob, Harlan Ellison generated a lot of controversy. He could be antagonistic at times. He loved confrontation!
Correction: Harlan Ellison Speaks!
Not bad, I’ve read most of them at one time or another, I think. Like Todd and you I don’t care for Donaldson, though I did read his initial three-volume series.
Rick, I read Donaldson’s initial trilogy, too…but stopped there.
I was sufficiently put off by his short fiction and the reviews of the trilogy were Not encouraging.
Hell, THE BOOK OF THE DUN COW (not by Donaldson) was wildly overpraised and was written in slightly better prose, but had a similar unfortunate feel. Hell, indeed.
Todd, back in those days any Fantasy novel garnered praise (because of the relatively small number). When Fantasy became a money-making genre in publishing, the dynamics changed.