From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. The second in a series of at least four collections of short works by the prolific Anderson offers a grab-bag of fiction, verse, and essays, as chosen by editor Rick Katze. Ranging from the famous "The Queen of Air and Darkness" multiple winner of science fiction's most prestigious awards, to the gimmicky "Uncleftish Beholding," written entirely with Germanic-rooted words, coining a writing-style of its own: Ander-Saxon. The stories presented here are a product of Anderson's time, 1950s and '60s, and yet highly adaptable, aside from the occasional old-fashion swagger (which is-nevertheless-entertaining). Some, such as "Say It With Flowers" or "Industrial Revolution" are classic space-faring adventures, while "Brave To Be A King" and "My Object All Sublime" cleverly explore time-travel themes. Anderson clearly has a knack for capturing human behavior and wrapping a story around interesting characters and situations. The series also includes four essays that tackle the nature of science fiction and its relationship to topics such as history, creation, and "hard science." Written in a casual, informative manner, they're as accessible and relevant now as when originally written. This is an essential addition to any science fiction fan's library. Read more
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