With Apple TV broadcasting their version of Isaac Asimov’s classic Foundation, I thought I would read the first anthology in the Isaac Asimov’s Wonderful Worlds of Science Fiction: INTERGALACTIC EMPIRES. Ironically, my favorite story in this anthology is from 1951: an early Dominic Flandry story, “Honorable Enemies.” The Galactic Empire is slowly collapsing, but agents like Flandry attempt to prop up the civilization despite the efforts of alien enemies to hasten its fall.
I enjoyed Eric Frank Russell’s cunning and humorous SF story, “Diabologic” where a human causes confusion and chaos among aliens. Perhaps the most famous story in this anthology is Cordwainer Smith’s classic, “A Planet Named Shoyol” where justice is applied with infinite harshness by the Instrumentality. If you’re looking for an anthology of stories about Galactic Empires in various states of decline, I recommend Isaac Asimov’s Wonderful Worlds of Science Fiction: INTERGALACTIC EMPIRES. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- “Introduction: Empires” (Isaac Asimov) — 7
- “Cycles”
- “Chalice of Death” (Robert Silverberg) — 13
- “Orphan of the Void” (Lloyd Biggle, Jr.) — 47
- “Down to the Worlds of Men” (Alexei Panshin) — 92
- “Governance”
- “Ministry of Disturbance” (H. Beam Piper) –122
- “Blind Alley” (Isaac Asimov) — 163
- “A Planet Named Shayol” (Cordwainer Smith) — 186
- “Concerns”
- “Diabologic” (Eric Frank Russell) — 224
- “Fighting Philosopher” (E. B. Cole) — 245
- “Honorable Enemies” (Poul Anderson) — 281
Isaac Asimov’s Wonderful Worlds of Science Fiction is a series of ten themed paperback science fiction anthologies edited by Isaac Asimov, Martin H. Greenberg and Charles G. Waugh, a companion set to the twelve volume Isaac Asimov’s Magical Worlds of Fantasy, produced by the same editors. It was published by Signet/New American Library from 1983 to 1990.[1]
Each volume in the series featured stories devoted to a different science fictional theme, as indicated in the individual volume titles. Most volumes also included an introduction by Asimov.
The series:
- Intergalactic Empires (1983)
- The Science Fictional Olympics (1984)
- Supermen (1984)
- Comets (1986)
- Tin Stars (1986)
- Neanderthals (1987)
- Space Shuttles (1987)
- Monsters (1988)
- Robots (1989)
- Invasions (1990)
Interesting…I haven’t read any but the Linebarger/”Smith” “Shayol”…and they found an E. B. Cole story worthy of reprinting? (Cole’s “Philosophical Corps” stories were notably terrible regular features of ASTOUNDING SF in what Algis Budrys called the “Tin Age” of the late ’50s…about as clumsy and dead on arrival as Stanley Mullen’s stories in PLANET STORIES in the 1950s and Barry Longyear’s “Momus” stories in ASIMOV’S SF magazine in the late ’70s…thanks for the reminder of this series!
Todd, I rather liked Cole’s “Philosophical Corps” although it is a bit clunky.
We’ve gone this route before, Todd, but I always enjoyed Cole’s stories.
And to clarify, the series I was happy to be reminded od was the anthology series. The Cole, like the cited Longyear series, were bad imitations of much better work by others, so appreciation of the better work might be extended to the Brand X…
Volume 6 in the series, NEANDERTHALS, was edited by Robert Silverberg. Martin H. Greenberg, and Charles G. Waugh — the only book in either series not credited to Asimov.
Jerry, what sharp eyes you have! Yes, Robert Silverberg worked with Asimov on a number of projects.
I’m guessing you have all ten anthologies. Haven’t read this (or most of the stories) but if I saw it, I’d pick it up.
Jeff, I have many of the Asimov/Greenberg anthologies, but not all of them. I do have a complete set of THE GREAT SF STORIES series. I don’t have the NEANDERTHALS anthology that Jerry House referred to. I’ve never see a copy. And, on AMAZON, it’s going for $26.95. Too rich for my blood…
The only story here that I recall reading is A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith. And it’s an excellent story.
Steve, at one time Cordwainer Smith was my favorite SF writer! The first Cordwainer Smith story I ever read, “Think Blue, Count Two,” blew my mind!
I read the Piper recently in a collection of his stories, which I enjoyed.
Rick, H. Beam Piper is another underrated writer.
And I have read none of these. I think I read a book or two by Asimov about a group that solved mysteries or am I thinking of someone else.
Patti, you probably read one of Asimov’s BLACK WIDOWERS collections. Fun stuff!
This sounds like a very good anthology. Someday I will seek out a copy, when I have read more of the collections I have. Or if I run into it at the book sale some year. This year I did not see any science fiction anthologies of short stories, although my husband found me one of novellas, and one containing three time travel novels.
Tracy, I have found a number of SF anthologies at the Library Book Sales that are slowing returning. I’m going to one tomorrow. Wish me luck!