Asimov Book Review - Great Science Fiction Stories of 1939

Great Science Fiction Stories of 1939
by Lacey Kat
This work is copyrighted by author (c) 2014

The problem with notoriety is that as your name becomes a household word, you are looked upon by more and more people to lend credibility to their endeavors. Movie stars recommend lip-gloss, while athletes give you the impression that it is that shoe or this shaving cream that provides success.

So it is with great authors like Isaac Asimov. Varies corners of the Science Fiction world feel that their product will sell better if the Asimov name is on the cover. In the past, we have seen T.V. shows such as "Probe" feature the good Doctor's name before the title. The makers of the film "Fantastic Voyage" had Asimov write a book based on the screenplay, even though he did not write the screenplay. It has come to the point were "Asimov Presents ..." has become more of a red flag than a welcome sign.

The problem with the use of the name "Asimov," is that while I may appreciate how much Katy Perry likes a lip gloss, I in no way think she is responsible for its manufacture. However, when I see Asimov on the cover of a novel or anthology, I am lead to believe that Isaac had a large hand in its creation. This is not always the case. The wary reader must look at the Asimov name to see if there is a small apostrophe after it. A mark that would indicate that not all is "write" with this picture.

"Isaac Asimov Presents Great Science Fiction Stories of 1939," was the first in a series of anthologies that looked at what Asimov thought were the best stories of a given year. First published in 1979, it has been re-issued by Dorset Press and is generally available. It features a collection of short stories from authors most of us today are not familiar with, to the early efforts of the giants of our field. Names like Henry Kuttner and Nelson Bond are right next to Robert Heinlein, Theodore Sturgeon, and L. Sprague De Camp. Even Isaac Asimov produced a great science fiction piece that year, (Trends) and it is included. It is a good collection of stories that have stood the test of time. Not hard science fiction, but humor and adventure that can be enjoyed by an intelligent public today.

That said, I must raise the cautionary flag and explain my low rating. While Isaac Asimov's name is prominent on the cover, that is the only place it is so prominent. This is an anthology that was edited by Asimov and his longtime associate Martin H. Greenberg, although it would seem that Mr. Greenberg did most of the work, both behind the scenes and on paper. Each story is presented with a fine introduction, but the bulk of the introduction is by Mr. Greenberg. Only after he has presented pertinent information, does Asimov add a short paragraph of autobiographical importance. Even the introduction, often the best part of an Asimov anthology, seems to have been written by Martin Greenberg (no credit either way is given though Asimov signs his contributions with an AI elsewhere in the book).

Please do not get me wrong. I am a big admirer of Martin H. Greenberg and lament that he does not get the credit he deserves in preserving our SF heritage. His work with Asimov has produced numerous anthologies of work that could have been lost without his efforts. However, in those anthologies the introductions we Isaac's, and his thoughts and experiences helped flesh out the stories. In this case, the on page contributions of Asimov could have cut and pasted from his other works. For example in the introduction to L. Sprague de Camp's "The Gnarly Man," Asimov only repeats his observation that both he and his wife can pass for half their age. Interesting yes, but no connection to the story, why it was chosen, or its possible effect on Asimov's later story, "The Ugly Little Boy." In the case of the introduction of "The Misguided Halo" by Henry Kuttner (also of the team "Lewis Padgett"), Asimov simply relates that he met Kuttner once at a party, and he could not get a word in because of Heinlein and de Camp. And with the story "Ether Breather," by Theodore Sturgeon, Asimov simply relates his surprise the Sturgeon's real name in Edward H. Waldo. I too was surprised, but what relevance does this have to the work and why it was chosen as a great science fiction story of 1939?

This is a good collection from a time other than our own. It is worth reading, but buyers beware. If Asimov had a lot to do with this collection it did not show up on paper. This is largely Martin Greenberg?s work. Greenberg is an intelligent author who deserves the credit. However it is Asimov's name that is first on the cover, and I expected more of him on the pages. This seemed more like a product endorsement than an authored work.