The Oxford Book Of Science Fiction Stories

This is the definitive collection of the twentieth-century's most characteristic genre—science fiction. The tales are organized chronologically, offering readers a sense of how the genre's range, vitality, and literary quality have evolved over time. Each story presents:

• A unique vision
• An altered reality
• A universe all its own

Highlights of the Collection:

• H.G. Wells' 1903 story, "The Land Ironclads": Predicts the stalemate of trench warfare and the invention of the tank.
• Jack Williamson's "The Metal Man" (1928): A rarely anthologized gem.
• Clifford D. Simak's 1940s classic, "Desertion": Set on "the howling maelstrom that was Jupiter."
• Frederik Pohl's 1955 "The Tunnel Under the World": Features a gripping first line: "On the morning of June 15th, Guy Burckhardt woke up screaming out of a dream."
• Bruce Sterling and William Gibson's 1982 story, "Burning Chrome": Foreshadows the idea of virtual reality, introducing cyberpunk elements.
• David Brin's "Piecework" (1990): Represents the modern wave of science fiction.

Additionally, Shippey provides an informative Introduction. This explores:

• The history of the genre
• Its major themes
• The literary techniques that define science fiction

Each tale offers an extraordinary journey through time, imagination, and innovation.