''The Best of James Blish'' is a

collection Collection or Collections may refer to: * Cash collection, the function of an accounts receivable department * Collection (church), money donated by the congregation during a church service * Collection agency, agency to collect cash * Collectio ...

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...

by American author

James Blish James Benjamin Blish () was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He is best known for his ''Cities in Flight'' novels and his series of ''Star Trek'' novelizations written with his wife, J. A. Lawrence. His novel ''A Case of Conscienc ...

, edited by

Robert A. W. Lowndes Robert Augustine Ward "Doc" Lowndes (September 4, 1916 – July 14, 1998) was an American science fiction author, editor and fan. He was known best as the editor of ''Future Science Fiction'', ''Science Fiction'', and ''Science Fiction Quarterly ...

. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in August 1979 as a volume in its Classic Library of Science Fiction.

Summary

The book contains twelve short works of fiction and an afterword by the author in the persona of one of his pseudonyms, William Atheling, Jr., together with an introduction by editor

*"Science Fiction the Hard Way" ntroduction(

) *"Citadel of Thought" (from '' Stirring Science Stories'', Feb. 1941) *"The Box" (from ''

Thrilling Wonder Stories ''Wonder Stories'' was an early American science fiction magazine which was published under several titles from 1929 to 1955. It was founded by Hugo Gernsback in 1929 after he had lost control of his first science fiction magazine, ''Amazing Stor ...

'', Apr. 1949) *"There Shall Be No Darkness" (from ''

'', Apr. 1950) *"

Surface Tension Surface tension is the tendency of liquid surfaces at rest to shrink into the minimum surface area possible. Surface tension is what allows objects with a higher density than water such as razor blades and insects (e.g. water striders) to f ...

" (from ''

Galaxy Science Fiction ''Galaxy Science Fiction'' was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published in Boston from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by a French-Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break into the American market. World Editi ...

'', Aug. 1952) *"Testament of Andros" (from ''

Future Science Fiction ''Future Science Fiction'' and ''Science Fiction Stories'' were two American science fiction magazines that were published under various names between 1939 and 1943 and again from 1950 to 1960. Both publications were edited by Charles Hornig fo ...

'', Jan. 1953) *"Common Time" (from ''Shadow of Tomorrow'', Jul. 1953) *"Beep" (from ''

'', Feb. 1954) *"

A Work of Art "A Work of Art" is a science fiction short story by American writer James Blish. It was first published in the July 1956 issue of ''Science Fiction Stories'' with the title "Art Work". It has often been anthologized, appearing in ''The Worlds of Sc ...

" (from ''

Science Fiction Stories ''Future Science Fiction'' and ''Science Fiction Stories'' were two American science fiction magazines that were published under various names between 1939 and 1943 and again from 1950 to 1960. Both publications were edited by Charles Hornig f ...

'', Jul. 1956) *"This Earth of Hours" (from ''

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction ''The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction'' (usually referred to as ''F&SF'') is a U.S. fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in 1949 by Mystery House, a subsidiary of Lawrence Spivak's Mercury Press. Editors Anthony Boucher a ...

'', Jun. 1959) *"The Oath" (from ''

'', Oct. 1960) *"How Beautiful with Banners" (from '' Orbit 1'', 1966) *"A Style in Treason" (from ''

Galaxy Magazine ''Galaxy Science Fiction'' was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published in Boston from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by a French-Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break into the American market. World Editi ...

'', May 1970) *"Probapossible Prolegomena to Ideareal History" fterword("William Atheling, Jr.") (from ''

Foundation Foundation may refer to: * Foundation (nonprofit), a type of charitable organization ** Foundation (United States law), a type of charitable organization in the U.S. ** Private foundation, a charitable organization that, while serving a good cause ...

'' #13, May 1978)

Reception

The book was reviewed by Taras Wolansky in ''Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review'', October 1979, and

Tom Easton Thomas A. Easton (born 17 July 1944) is a teacher and well-known science fiction critic and author. He retired as a professor from Thomas College of Maine in 2014 and now teaches part-time at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA. Easton holds a Bachelo ...

in ''

Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...

'', April 1980.

Awards

The book placed sixth in the 1980 Locus Poll Award for Best Single Author Collection. "A Style in Treason" was nominated for the 1971

Hugo Award for Best Novella The Hugo Award for Best Novella is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The novella award is available for works of fiction of between ...

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Best of James Blish, The 1979 short story collections Science fiction short story collections Del Rey books

Summary

Contents

Reception

Awards

Notes