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
Oh yes – wonderful books included there though I have’t read the James Blish actually, so that’s a good enough incentive! – thanks for the LOA link George – it’s all very tempting …
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.
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.
I have purchased the bulk of the Library of America, Jeff. It’s a set I hope to pass down to Patrick or Katie. I love these books!
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.
If this SF of the Fifties sells well, Rick, I’m sure the SF of Sixties will be next for the Library of America.
Like Richard, I love the books, but duplication no longer is attractive. I have all these in individual books.
I’m a sucker for the Library of America format, Randy. Plus, my original copies reside at SUNY at Buffalo’s Special Collections now.
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.
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!
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.
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
George, the Fredric Brown selection is an excellent idea.
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.
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…
DOUBLE STAR won a Hugo Award, Todd, so I suppose that’s why it got the nod instead of other Heinlein novels from the Fifties.
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…
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.
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/
I’ll look for THE GYRE MISSION, Becky. It sounds like it’s similar to THE PASSAGE and THE TWELVE.
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.”