Asimov, Isaac, & Martin H. Greenberg. Great Science Fiction Stories Volume 1, 1939. New York: DAW Books, March 1979.
Great Science Fiction Stories Volume 1, 1939 at the ISFdb
Great Science Fiction Stories Volume 1, 1939 at Goodreads
Overall Rating: 5 or 7 /10 (depending on my level of frustration)
It is just too bad the anthology is such an awful mess.
Granted, we have some fine stories in here that are worth reading both for their enjoyment and for a better understanding of the evolution of the genre and for our vision of the future as it was in 1939. What is unfortunate are the subjective selections by Asimov, who seems to have felt the need to include underwhelming stories by those who helped shape his career in those early days. Yet even worse than his sentimentality (or perhaps satisfying a need to re-pay those who had published him by re-publishing them), is the lack of effort that went into verifying the stories. As a consequence, a story first published ten years after this golden year is included, with Nelson Bond's "Pilgrimage" (1949). In his introduction to the story, Asimov asserts that it is "Pilgrimage" that was published in Amazing Stories in October 1939, when it was not even published in a pulp, but first appeared in Bond's second collection, The Thirty-First of February (Gnome Press) in 1949. Asimov goes on to mis-represent "Pilgrimage" as the first story of the rebellious priestess Meg series, when it is in fact the last. He likely hadn't read the series, or had little recollection of it, considering how "Pilgrimage" ends the adventures of Meg so conclusively. I haven't read the series either, yet the tone of finality in this story clashed with Asimov's description and sent me off to do some research, and in no time I discovered the error. I simply located the October 1939 issue of Amazing Stories online and, lo and behold, the Bond story that was included there was the first story of the Meg series, titled "The Priestess Who Rebelled." In short, according to Asimov (and by association, Greenberg), one of the best stories of 1939 was first published in 1949.
If an updated series of the best of these early stories were to be published, with more objective editors, I would invest in the set.
Most of the stories selected for inclusion in the anthology first appeared in Astounding, the forerunner in publishing science fiction stories at the time. The July and August issues each feature three stories in this collection, of a total of twenty stories, therefore making up almost a third of the volume.
Yet despite the frustrations wrought by Asimov's sloppy editing, I do continue to enjoy his anecdotes on the authors in his brief intros to the stories. Beside the wreck that is the intro to the Nelson S. Bond story, however, are a couple of other odd statements, which I will mention below.
And on a final (for now) note, I was surprised yet impressed at the number of solid stories published in 1939 that hold up well today and will likely do so in 2039.
I, Robot by Eando Binder 8/10
Amazing Stories, January 1939
Dr. Link has constructed a robot. More than a machine, this robot is able to evolve, to learn and to think for itself. After a couple of months of teaching and testing, and confident that his invention has a moral guide, the doctor believes the machine is ready to enter society, and gives it the name Adam Link. But an unlucky accident sends Adam on the run, and it learns the darker truths about human nature.
A familiar story as it places Mary Shelley's Frankenstein into a modern setting. Despite its familiarity it is a strong story and holds up with time. The story was famously adapted for an episode of the original The Outer Limits, and re-made for the 1990s The Outer Limits.
In the story's introduction, Asimov gives "I, Robot" credit for directly influencing his robot story "Robbie" (originally published as "Strange Playfellow"), which he penned only a couple of months after the publication of Binder's story. In addition, he claims that when the title to his collection I, Robot was suggested, he hated it, not wanting to borrow Binder's title.
Though credited to brothers Earl and Otto Binder, it was later believed that Otto, the more prolific of the brothers who continued to pursue writing after Earl had given it up, was the sole author of "I, Robot." Subsequent reprints of the story credit it as having been written only by Otto Binder.
Strange Flight of Richard Clayton by Robert Bloch 8/10
Amazing Stories, March 1939
Scientist Richard Clayton has constructed a ship that can take him from Earth to Mars, a twenty-year round-trip voyage he makes alone. The ship is a small tin vessel with no windows, and soon boredom creeps in and loneliness envelops our protagonist.
Bloch does well in disorienting the reader, since the loneliness begins soon after liftoff, and like Clayton, we wonder how long he has been in space and how much distance remains until he reaches his destination, having not a clue and feeling anxious by being made so unaware of time. I figured out the ending early enough, but it did not deter me from enjoying the highly enjoyable Blochian style.
Trouble with Water by H. L Gold 3/10
Unknown, March 1939
On a beautiful summer's day, concession stand owner Herman Greenberg is by himself in a boat trying to catch some fish. He is reflecting on his misfortunes in having had a daughter but no son. A son would have helped him in the family business, but his ugly daughter Rosie is unmarriable, and every extra bit of income must be put toward her dowry.
A fantasy story selected for inclusion among the best science fiction stories. Unfortunately, it is not a good one, but may have provided laughs for a certain generation of men in 1939. The humour relies on the ever-berated husband by the overpowering wife, and through slapstick scenes of being unable to use water, such as shaving, bathing or trying to eat soup. We have large-eared gnomes and a drunken Irish policeman, as the story employs unflattering stereotypes for laughs. And only for laughs: the berating wife suddenly transforms into a loving spouse once her comedic scene is finished, then cast away when no longer required and making space for Gold to bring in the drunken Irishman, where more belly laughs can be found (though I found none). Included in the anthology published in 1979, you would think by then Asimov would have become more "woke" as the decade progressed and seen this dated story for what it is. Sadly, Asimov instead unflatteringly touts this as being Gold's best story, which only deters me from reading any more of his work.
In the story introduction, Asimov brings attention to the protagonist's name, as it is coincidentally the name of the anthology's co-editor.
The Cloak of Aesir by John W. Campbell, Jr. 7/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, March 1939 (as by Don A. Stuart)
For four thousand years (since 1977, to be precise), the Sarn have ruled over Earth, having enslaved humanity following a costly war. It appears, however, that the humans are preparing a revolt, and when some high-level humans are captured and sentenced to death, a being calling itself Aesir appears, claiming to be made from the energy of the will of mankind, and frees the humans. The story opens with the Sarn Mother meeting with the seven City Mothers, those ruling each a portion of the Earth, who are jealous of the immortal Sarn Mother who in turn rules over them. A council is being held to decide how they will handle this revolt, and to find a way to examine Aesir's cloak from where his power emanates, as weapons do not appear to have any effect on him.
Aesir, it turns out, is a scientist named Ware, who has developed this cloak that gives him great power, or the illusion of power, as really it is all science. In this sense, Aesir is among the first superheroes.
Describing the plot of "The Cloak of Aesir" is a lengthy process, as is reading the story. I always find Campbell's fiction to be a slog, as the stories are overlong and written in a dry style. I barely recall "Twilight" and "Forgetfulness," two popular Campbell tales I struggled with. "The Cloak of Aesir," however, I found far more interesting. It is certainly overlong and dry, and while reading about an intelligent, advanced species led by women is fascinating, it is a let-down that the main traits of the race, being women, is a high emotional drama, as they are jealous of one another, constantly bickering among themselves and described as being annoyed and vexed and so forth. These advanced female aliens have nothing on the smarter male human scientists (though Campbell does toss a smart woman into the mix). A bit like the high drama of the Olympian gods and goddesses in many of their captured disputes. Regardless, it was overall interesting though I did rush through some portions in order to finish the story more quickly.
Day Is Done by Lester del Rey 8/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, May 1939
The last neanderthal man is losing the will to live. Hwoogh's people have been pushed into a far corner of the valley in which they once thrived, as Cro Magnon man, or "Talkers," with their advanced hunting implements, have moved in and killed most of the game. Befriended by the unwanted Cro Magnon woman Keyoda, who brings him scraps of food and the occasional homebrew, Hwoogh feels that he no longer has purpose, subsisting on the charity of others, and exists rather than lives.
I first came across this story about a year ago, and re-read it here. I enjoyed my second reading as thoroughly as the first, perhaps even more. The story is written in a naturalistic way, though the language is modern, and it is genuinely touching without being sentimental. The story can be read as an analogy of advancing technology and how it changes the landscape and destroys life around us, relegating previous generations to superfluousness.
The Ultimate Catalyst by John Taine 7/10
Thrilling Wonder Stories, June 1939
Chemist Dr. Beetle is trapped in Amazonia with his daughter Consuelo and some locals helping out at his lab. A couple of years ago, Emperor Kadir and his band of ruffians were exiled from their home and banished to Amazonia, where they quickly established a dictatorship. Dr. Beetle is silently rebelling, and has come up with a plan to free the people of Amazonia. Since Kadir and his men long for red meat in a world where only vegetables and fruit are available, the good doctor has come up with a neat way to grow meat in a new fruit he calls greenbeefo.
Author John Taine is Eric Temple Bell, a renowned mathematician better known, apparently, for his series of biographies on mathematicians, descriptively titled "Men of Mathematics." Interestingly, of Taine the normally respectful and laudatory Asimov writes: "I am not as fond of his stories as some people are." He was fond enough, I suppose, to include Taine in this anthology, or perhaps pressured by co-editor Greenberg? Unlike Asimov, I enjoyed this story.
Interestingly, Dr. Beetle's loving daughter is given the male variant of the name Consuela.
The Gnarly Man by L. Sprague de Camp 6/10
Unknown, June 1939
Anthropologist Dr. Mathilda Saddler is in New York and decides to visit Coney Island. There she goes to see the attraction Ungo-Bungo, "the ferocious ape-man," certain it would be a Caucasian in fake fur. But she immediately suspects there is more to the man than just a costume, and decides to meet him. Ungo-Bungo is Clarence Aloysius Gaffney, an intelligent and articulate man whose appearance is entirely natural, wearing no make-up or fur. Dr. Saddler is certain there is more to him than a natural deformity, and he entrusts with the truth: he is a Neanderthal who has been alive since 50,000 BC.
A fairly light story, of a comedic tone for which I don't normally care.
Black Destroyer by A. E. van Vogt 7/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, July 1939
The Coeurl is an intelligent, large cat-like creature with tentacles stemming from its shoulders. It is among the last of its kind. A human exploration crew is searching through the ruins of an alien civilization when the Coeurl appears, and believing it to be more pet than threat, they take it in. Yet the creature is more predator, intent on eliminating the members of the exploration crew, and does so by hunting and outwitting them.
I first read "Black Destroyer" years ago when I learned that there was an out-of-court settlement between van Vogt and the studio behind Ridley Scott's Alien, citing the similarities between the novelette and Dan O'Bannon's screenplay. I did not care for the story at the time, many years ago, but this time around enjoyed it quite a bit. Many consider this story to be the starting point of the golden age of science-fiction, or at least the issue of Astounding in which it first appeared--an issue that also housed Isaac Asimov's first published short story, "Trends" (which is also reprinted in this anthology). In his introduction to the story, Asimov humbly defers to the launch of the golden age to van Vogt's story individually, and not the issue of Astounding. (But less humbly takes the time to mention his own story in relation to that important issue, and includes his story in this anthology of the best, when in reality it is among the weakest of the bunch.)
"Black Destroyer" is the first part of the Space Beagle series, and was later incorporated into the first six chapters of van Vogt's 1950 novel The Voyage of the Space Beagle, which is made up primarily of four different short stories along with additional linking material.
Greater Than Gods by C. L. Moore 6/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, July 1939
It's July 2240, and Scientist William Vincent "Bill" Cory from Biology House is having trouble choosing between Marta Mayhew and Sallie Carlisle. In the meantime he is working on a project attempting to achieve balance between genders in a future where males are nearing extinction. His friend Charles Ashley from Telepath House interrupts his reveries, and talk soon turns to Ashley's speculations on determining the future. Essentially, if one can select their future path by knowing in advance where the major turning points of their lives are, one can determine their future. Cory gets the opportunity to see the future with each woman, and sees determined chemist Marta and flippant Sallie each help lead to a miserable future for humanity.
Not a bad story but overlong, particularly as we can figure out the resolution pretty easily.
Trends by Isaac Asimov 5/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, July 1939
Dr. John Harman attempts to launch his rocket Prometheus to the moon, when he received a backlash from a public offended that he would dare profane the heavens by flying beyond them. On the day of the launch something goes wrong and the rocket explodes, killing 28 members of the religious cult organized by evangelist Otis Eldredge. Though Harman's loyal employee and narrator of the story Clifford McKenny discovers that the explosion was the result of sabotage, the public wants Harman accountable, and he must go into hiding. Underground he secretly works on Prometheus II, so that he can again attempt top reach the moon. This is dangerous as Eldredge rises in political circles and influence, and private scientific research is banned.
Interesting idea, of course, with Asimov seeing this ban and a strong public anti-scientific mind-set move well into our future. Beyond that glimpse of scientific paranoia and anxiety from 1939, the story is quite dull.
Published in the same Golden Age of SF launching issue that published "Black Destroyer," Asimov modestly downplays his story's significance in the launch, and rightfully so. The story does present an interesting concept for its time, but it is entirely flat, even in terms of early science fiction and early Asimov.
The Blue Giraffe by L. Sprague de Camp 7/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, August 1939
Athelstan Cuff is surprised to find his rational son weeping, and learns that the boy has discovered he had been adopted. Cuff, a stuffy Englishman living in America, recounts the story of his boy's adoption, which takes him back to a visit to Okavango Wildlife preserve in Africa.
In 1976, Zulu warden George Mtengeni guided Cuff though the preserve to witness a blue giraffe that had been sighted there. During the visit, they witness the giraffe along with other, more exaggerated mutations. Separated from the warden, Cuff discovers baboon people living on the reserve, and gets embroiled in their tribe and in the mysteries of the preserve.
A surprisingly enjoyable story, though it treads a lot of familiar ground. Asimov claims that de Camp had a great sense of humour and that it was evidenced in this story, and while I did not care for the humour, the lightness I found to be more in the story's tone rather than in attempts at being funny, and the story maintained its momentum despite the light tone. Moreover, the concern over the mutations is handled sympathetically, acknowledging the potential disaster to wildlife if these mutations progress, and we are given a scene of a doomed creature who cannot support itself on its disproportionate legs. This is an early example of ecological science fiction, though the ecology is not the story's foremost concern.
The Misguided Halo by Henry Kuttner 3/10
Unknown, August 1939
A young angel is sent to Earth to sanctify a virtuous lama, but accidentally places the halo on American ad executive Kenneth Young. It turns out that Young has led a faultless life and can keep the halo, so he decides to commit a sin in order to do away with it, as the halo is cumbersome and embarrassing. Hilarity ensues.
Only it really doesn't. Even for 1939 this story is atrocious. The attempts at humour are aimed at Young trying to hide the halo and others almost but not quite seeing it, and an unfortunate amount of words are spent describing the obese man that Young must entertain that day. A long drawn-out fat joke, unsympathetic and unfunny. The story is among the few selected here that was not originally published in Astounding, (it was published in the lesser Unknown), which produced overall less quality writing for the time.
Most interesting is Asimov's brief introduction to the story, where he goes on about how Kuttner's wife, C. L. Moore, is the better writer of their combined Lewis Padgett, but indirectly. He then states that Kuttner certainly wrote a lot of bad stories, but that the one included here is good. So really, Asimov heaps praise on the various authors in the anthology, but cuts down Kuttner, and refers to the downright atrocious "The Misguided Halo" as one of the author's best solo efforts? Perhaps he had a thing for Moore...
Heavy Planet by Milton A. Rothman 6/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, August 1939
On a distant planet with a strong gravitational pull, patrol Ennis is skimming along the sea when he witnesses an alien craft crashing into the waters. He enters the ship to investigate and discovers that it comes from a solar system containing nine planets, and quickly realizes that their gravity is much weaker as the alloys that make up the ship are to him like paper, and the bodies that once rode the craft have been transformed into masses of pulp. Ennis needs to dispose of the evidence of the ship and its atomic energy, or the nations of Bantin and Marak might discover it, and as war nations, their journey to other worlds would be disastrous. Just then a Marak battleship appears, and a battle on this strange vessel ensues.
Life-Line by Robert A. Heinlein 8/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, August 1939
Dr. Hugo Pinero has constructed an instrument that is able to accurately predict a person's birth date, as well as the exact date of their death. Insurance companies conspire to take him down, legally and by ridiculing him, and eventually through violence.
Heinlein's first published short story, which I first read as a pre-teen in the Damon Knight anthology First Voyages. I enjoyed the story back then, and continue to do so upon each re-read (and there have been many, as the story is copiously anthologized). Every time I am about to re-read the story I think to myself it will be decent enough, but not as good as when I'd first read it, but I am always surprised by how much I enjoy the story with each read. The plot is simple but it is tight, and the protagonist is likeable, which is frequently not how I feel about Heinlein's lead characters. The story is also driven by drama, and there is no light tone or forced humour that often mars Heinlein's short stories. This one takes itself seriously, which I suppose enables me to take it seriously. Moreover, there is that genuinely touching scene of the young couple wanting to know the date when their expected child will be born. And the ending is satisfying too.
The Ether Breather by Theodore Sturgeon 6/10
Astounding Science-Fiction, September 1939
A television writer sees his work crudely distorted on live television, and soon learns something is afoot as other programs are also affected. Light and humourous, which is not my cup of tea, but I did laugh aloud at one moment.
As with "Life-Line," I first read "The Ether Breather" in First Voyages, (which also included van Vogt's "Black Destroyer"), an anthology which collected the first published stories of many famous science fiction authors. Even then I did not care much for the story, and recalled nearly nothing beyond its title. Sturgeon would of course go on to publish many far superior stories.
Pilgrimage by Nelson S. Bond 5/10
The Thirty-First of February, 1949
In the final story of Bond's brief postapocalyptic series Meg, the independent-thinking priestess has entered puberty and is sent on a pilgrimage before she can claim the coveted title of clan mother. The society in which she has grown up is matriarchal, but on her journey she discovers that men are the real leaders, and she is tamed by a man who gives her coffee and teaches her how to kiss. I suppose this is to be expected of a story from the 1940s by a man writing about pubescent girls and their place in society. Not a good story.
As mentioned in my intro to the anthology, editors Asimov and Greenberg really messed up with the inclusion of this story. In the introduction the story is credited as having been published in Amazing Stories, October 1939, and that it is the first of Bond's stories about the future priestess Meg. In fact, this story is not among the best stories of 1939 since it was first published a decade later, in Bond's 1949 collection The Thirty-First of February. It is true that Bond's first of four stories about Meg was published in that issue of Amazing Stories, but that was an entirely different story titled "The Priestess Who Rebelled."
Rust by Joseph E. Kelleam 7/10
Publication, month 1939
In a postapocalyptic era, only robots remain on Earth. However, as time passes and the ruins left by man are crumbling, the robots too are wearing down. Most of these robots were built long ago by humans with the purpose to destroy their enemies, and as these robots were successful in their task, there have been for a long time no humans left. We follow a trio of these robots, perhaps the last remaining, come out of their winter hibernation, anxious about their fate but also seeking some kind of purpose. Built to destroy, one robot is strangely aiming instead to create, which is challenging as its form was designed for killing.
A surprisingly good story.
Four-Sided Triangle by William F. Temple 8/10
Amazing Stories, November 1939 as "The 4-Sided Triangle"
A pair of male scientists fall in love with the same woman, and the woman chooses one of the men, breaking the heart of the other. Instead of falling into grave depression or turning his heartache against the world, the spurned scientist focuses on completing his invention: a replicating machine. And, as any good and moral man of modern science would, he decides to replicate the woman who has spurned him. Now they are a foursome, and they get along so well, particularly the two women. Until tragedy strikes.
Despite my asinine description, this was an excellent story. It was adapted for film as Four Sided Triangle, directed by Terence Fisher for Hammer studios, and released in 1953. I have not seen the film.
Star Bright by Jack Williamson 5/10
Argosy, 25 November 1939
Hardworking Mr. Peabody has a selfish and materialistically demanding family, and as a result he is struggling with incredible debt. He storms off one evening, and on his walk he wishes on a shooting star that he can perform miracles. The star then heads towards him, and an explosion lodges a piece of the celestial object in his brain. He is now able to materialize just about anything, but his hopes are shaken when the items he materializes repeatedly show imperfections.
The novelette attempts to be humourous, but is unfunny and tiresome. It is difficult to sympathize with Peabody since his wife and son are exaggeratedly selfish and disrespectful, yet he wants still to please them, while he dotes on his undeserving daughter.
Misfit by Robert A. Heinlein 5/10
Astounding Science Fiction, November 1939
Andrew Jackson Libby is part of a youth corps recruited for employment in the attempt to colonize the solar system. These youths are referred to as "misfits." While Libby has a less than imposing presence and limited education, it turns out he is a mathematical genius. Readers learn this early on, but only when he is stationed on an asteroid to help construct a space base does the rest of the team discover his abilities. He is insistent that a calculation error has been made, and thereby prevents a disaster. Other heroics to follow.
Libby is a recurring character in Heinlein's Future History series. Like many early Heinlein stories, I did not care for this space adventure.
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