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.