Best Science Fiction Firsts, Asimov Presents

by Lacey Kat
(Copyright by the author - All rights reserved) 

(Back to the thing Asimov is most associated with, Science Fiction)

Isaac Asimov once wrote that he did not like working on anthologies because they required too much work and not enough writing. He did a few on his own, the “Hugo Award” winners for example, but
shied away from the numerous requests publishers threw his way. Fortunately for us, Isaac met Martin H. Greenberg. He was a gentleman who had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of science fiction the good Doctor had ever met, and a desire to do the “grunt work” that an anthology requires. He also had the desire to let Asimov do the writing, in the form of pre and post-notes for the various selections. This was a wedding made in publishing heaven. 

Asimov always knew the importance of anthologies, even if he did not like the work involved. Many science fiction stories were published in magazines that have long since crumbled to dust. Or they were the only work of an author who died young, lost the muse, or went on to write other types of literature. In any case, Asimov knew there was a mountain of good stories that would never see daylight again, unless he provided an outlet. He did not invent the anthology, but he understood its value in the history of creative ideas. 

“Isaac Asimov Presents the Best Science Fiction Firsts,” is what would be considered a “theme” anthology. By that, I mean that instead of being a collection of works by an author, the collection is based on an idea. In this case, the idea is “who first wrote about the science fiction idea of XYZ?” As with any concept, rules must be laid down. In the introduction, Asimov establishes his framework. The idea must be developed, not just a passing mention. He restricts this collection to short stories, as novels, and portions thereof, would be too frustrating to follow, and he eliminates myths and legends (invisibility, time travel, etc) as he is trying to give credit to the first “person” who came up with the idea. Therefore in this collection, only science fiction that was written since 1800 qualified for his cut. 

The result is a collection of twelve science fiction short stories, spanning the years from 1839 to 1966, that represent the first appearance of a Sci-Fi idea, that we take for granted now. They include, roughly in order, the first appearance of Antimatter, Cloning, Collapsed Stars, Cosmic Disasters, the Generation Starship, Home Computers, Invisibility, Tanks, and Solar Power from Satellites. The last one is from Asimov himself. 

As with all anthologies that are not, “the best of . . .” this book is a mixed bag. Some of the stories are as enjoyable now as they were a hundred years ago, while a few others are historically interesting, but would not be considered “good.” Edgar Allan Poe, for example, is considered the father of the American novel. In this collection, he is credited for the first “Cosmic Disaster” story published in 1839. While I have always admired Poe, he does not make my list of great Sci-Fi authors. Fritz-James O’Brien, on the other hand, who holds the honor of the first story of Invisibility (1859) and Microcosmic Worlds (1858), makes up for his lack of hard science by introducing a human element to his writing that science fiction writers of the 60s’ barely emulated. 

Each story starts with a brief introduction by Asimov that includes a small biography of the author, some interesting facts about the story, and a quick overview of the theme in other works. For example in Don Wilcox’s “The Voyage that Lasted 600 Years,” we are introduced to the idea of a “generation starship.” This is a vehicle that takes centuries to complete its voyage and is crewed by generations who are born, live, and die, on board. Asimov, of course, mentions Robert Heinlein’s Orphans of the Sky, but goes on to inform us that Mark Twain anticipated this idea, Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky suggested the idea in an article published in 1928, and television used the idea in the ill fates series “The Starlost.” In a brief two paragraphs, you become acquainted with the history of whatever concept the story is about. This alone is an education worth the cost of the book. 

The volume I reviewed was published by Barnes & Noble Books in 1996 and is a reprint of a 1984 Tekno-Books edition. It is generally available at most online booksellers and should be no trouble finding. This book is a must-read for any true science fiction fan or Asimov aficionado. 

 Murder at the ABA

by Lacey Kat
(Copyright by the author - All rights reserved) 

On May 25, 1975, the American Booksellers Association met in New York City. Earlier that year someone wrote a mystery about the Frankfurt Book Fair called “Murder at Frankfurt.” This inspired Larry Ashmead, an editor at Doubleday, to wonder if a murder mystery of the same sort could be written about an American book fair. Ashmead automatically thought of Isaac Asimov, who had written several mystery short stories and was intrigued by the idea of a straight-mystery (no Sci-Fi) novel. 

Asimov attended the convention, to get the local color, and when it was over he went to see Ashmead with the good news. A mystery was more than possible with a basic plot already worked out. Ashmead was pleased and said that they wanted the novel for the next ABA convention. 

“No problem,” Asimov exclaimed. “I’ll have the manuscript in your hands long before next Memorial Day.” 

“Not the manuscript, Isaac,” replied Ashmead. “The complete book. I need the manuscript by August.” 

Isaac Asimov, the writer’s writer, had to produce a finished manuscript in less than three months.  Fortunately for the reading public, the book was officially published on May 7, 1976. In time for the next ABA held that year in Chicago. 

“Murder at the ABA,” subtitled, “A puzzle in four days and sixty scenes,” takes place, fictitiously, at the ABA convention held in New York, in 1975. The book starts with an interesting premise in that its narrator is not its author. Even though the narration is in the first person. We, the readers, are told that the story’s protagonist, Darius Just, is a somewhat accomplished author whose ex-protégé, Giles Devore, is found dead. Darius is said to then team up with Isaac Asimov to write the story. Asimov even appears in the mystery but in the third person. Occasionally there are even footnotes to explain where Darius and Isaac “disagree” on some story point. While other well-known names, who may or may not have attended the actual event, are bantered about, all principal characters are fictitious. The introduction to the book stresses this in no subtle way. 

The story opens with Darius arriving just in time to help a fellow author at a press meeting for his new book. At the actual convention, Asimov was asked to help at a press meeting and, though out of state during the morning, did arrive against all odds at the appointed hour. The time of the press meeting was changed for Asimov, and in the story, the same thing happens to Darius. This sets off a chain of events that ends in the discovery of the obligatory “dead body.” Darius now has three days to figure out if it was murder or an accident, and who did what to whom. All the while the convention is going on in the background, allowing characters to enter and leave in theatrical regularity. 

As a mystery, it is a light piece of work. It moves nicely, has several red herrings, and has some pleasant characters. It is worth the time of any mystery fan. 

As an Asimov book, it has some very interesting features that make it different from any of Isaac’s previous works. Allow me to elaborate. 

First is the idea that it was written by Asimov and another writer. With Darius as the “observer” of the story, Asimov is allowed to comment on people and events that may have annoyed him during the actual ABA convention. Characters may be made up of hotel and convention staff that either amused or angered the good Doctor, and, with the pen mightier than the sword, Asimov has the opportunity to give them a poke. Not beyond self-aggrandizement, Asimov also pokes fun at himself by allowing the “Darius” character to make observations on Asimov’s ego, gregarious manners, fondness for women, and enthusiasm for food (though lack of enthusiasm for picking up the check). While very therapeutic, this also lets the wind out of the sails of those who think Asimov is too ego-driven. It is an “in” joke between the author and his readers. 

Second, this book contains much of what you do not find in an Asimov book. Female characters for one. All different types, and none the usual “hard-boiled private eye” type gals. And there is a lot of sex. Casual sex. The type an author might want when he says, “Be nice to me babe and I'll get you a part in my next book.” (Or so I have been told) This is very unusual for an Asimov story where sex is implied at best, spoken of only in the past, or desired but not acquired, tense. 

Third, there are off-color moments, profanity, and references to bodily functions. I have never liked this type of writing personally and have always enjoyed the lack of it in an Asimov story. I was surprised to find it here and not sure it was needed. Don’t get me wrong, this is not one of your modern-day, “I get paid by the four-letter word,” stories. But given Asimov’s usual style, these brief indiscretions stick out like a sore thumb. Asimov was trying something different, and for the most part, it worked, but I am glad he did not make it a habit. 

“Murder at the ABA” will never rival “Maltese Falcon” or “Death on the Nile,” as outstanding mysteries. However, it is more than a pleasant read and a lot easier to understand than “The Big Sleep,” and a lot fairer to the reader than “Murder on the Orient Express.” It is a genuine pleasure for an Asimov fan and can be appreciated by those who are murder mystery aficionados. It is filled with "in" jokes and a writer's jab at editors and publishers. It has local color, and what are now historic references to "Watergate," "Gas Shortages," drugs, and the "New Feminism." All this and a dead body to boot. Not bad for a Sci-Fi author.