I think one of the reasons it won't be repeated is the goodwill of the authors in making this collection. With a newly formed Science Fiction Authors of America and the editorship of Robert Silverberg, there was a lot of enthusiasm for this collection. As I believe I said in the first video, only one agent prevented a story from appearing in this book. Silverberg appealed directly to William Tenn but his story is the only top voted story not in the collection.
I've picked my way through a good chunk of all three volumes and it's all gold. it blows me away how early some well worn sci-fi ideas originated and how well most of the stories hold up.
Those are all great stories Richard. Some of the best from that era. I always liked Vogt’s Weapon Shop stories. And a great mix of stories in there too! Great video Richard!
Why do I think the "Huddling Place" was the inspiration for Asimov's "Spacer" civilization? (Caves of Steel) The intense agoraphobia, wants tended by robots, it does fit. 🤔🧐 "Scanners Live in Vain" literally opened my eyes to how Science Fiction can be great literature. I still remember parts of it, literally decades since I first read the story. Smith was one of the truly greats. 😢
@@vintagesf Try to get the NESFA edition, complete with the original illustrations. 🤩🤩🤩. Then all you'll need to do is read the novel, "Nostrilla" and you're done. Afterwards, you have to go outside, and shout "Golden the Ship was, Oh! Oh! Oh!" That's mandatory for reading all of Cordweiner Smith.😂🤣 Btw...what do you think of my theory about the "Huddling Place"? 😉
@@User_Un_Friendly First, just flipped through the NESFA edition I do own but there are no illustrations. This is 'The Rediscovery of Man'. Secondly, there definitely is agoraphobia in each. Robots as well. Could be connected but would have to see more evidence.
@@vintagesf That's peculiar. The ebook version I have in my tablet does contain the original pulp illustrations...🤔. Yeah, me too, I was just struck by the similarity in terms of plot. 🤔🧐🐶
Oh, yeah, a tremendous collection of stories. Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore were among the finest authors of their day and 'Mimsy Were the Borogroves' is a good representative of that. I have always loved the stories in 'City' by Clifford D. Simak. 'Huddling Place' is not my favorite but, given the way he explores mental illness, I can see why it is in this collection. 'Scanners Live in Vain' was my first introduction to Cordwainer Smith. You can see why I became a fan. 'The Little Black Bag' is a great introduction to C.M. Kornbluth. It actually ties in with the later story 'The Marching Morons' which is Kornbluth's best known story. A really fine presentation, Richard.
So many great stories in this set. I’d never read ‘Little Black Bag’ before and thought it charming at first, then horrific and finally narrative satisfying.
@@MuseumOfWonders I’ll have to find that episode. Burgess Meredith was so good in ‘The Twilight Zone’. I’m guessing his acting in this one was impressive too.
This is an absolutely essential set of books. They are also the best looking books in my collection and I would recommend any serious SF reader to hunt them down. Not easy to find in the UK though.
I do love the boxed paperback set pictured in my thumbnails. To me they are even more iconic than the original hardcovers. Once you know what they contain they become a pillar of any SF library.
@@MarianPowell I avoided referencing that one because it seemed like such a disservice to such a great story. Perhaps someday it will get a proper adaptation.
Very enjoyable episode! Love seeing the original artwork of these old magazines. Thanks for the excellent research and presentation.
This is an outstanding collection, the quality I doubt will ever be repeated
I think one of the reasons it won't be repeated is the goodwill of the authors in making this collection. With a newly formed Science Fiction Authors of America and the editorship of Robert Silverberg, there was a lot of enthusiasm for this collection. As I believe I said in the first video, only one agent prevented a story from appearing in this book. Silverberg appealed directly to William Tenn but his story is the only top voted story not in the collection.
I've picked my way through a good chunk of all three volumes and it's all gold. it blows me away how early some well worn sci-fi ideas originated and how well most of the stories hold up.
@@gon8go So true. In a couple of weeks I plan to go through 2a and 2b. Campbell’s ’Who Goes There’ is in the novellas.
@@vintagesf that's where I read it. I've also found an expanded version of it called frozen hell.
Those are all great stories Richard. Some of the best from that era. I always liked Vogt’s Weapon Shop stories. And a great mix of stories in there too! Great video Richard!
This series is certainly a blast from the past! I think new readers of SF should give these wonderful authors/stories a try.
It certainly is a great introduction to 26 authors.
Why do I think the "Huddling Place" was the inspiration for Asimov's "Spacer" civilization? (Caves of Steel) The intense agoraphobia, wants tended by robots, it does fit. 🤔🧐
"Scanners Live in Vain" literally opened my eyes to how Science Fiction can be great literature. I still remember parts of it, literally decades since I first read the story. Smith was one of the truly greats. 😢
One of my future projects is to read all of Smith's works. I've read a number of the Instrumentality of Mankind stories.
@@vintagesf Try to get the NESFA edition, complete with the original illustrations. 🤩🤩🤩. Then all you'll need to do is read the novel, "Nostrilla" and you're done. Afterwards, you have to go outside, and shout "Golden the Ship was, Oh! Oh! Oh!" That's mandatory for reading all of Cordweiner Smith.😂🤣
Btw...what do you think of my theory about the "Huddling Place"? 😉
@@User_Un_Friendly First, just flipped through the NESFA edition I do own but there are no illustrations. This is 'The Rediscovery of Man'. Secondly, there definitely is agoraphobia in each. Robots as well. Could be connected but would have to see more evidence.
@@vintagesf That's peculiar. The ebook version I have in my tablet does contain the original pulp illustrations...🤔.
Yeah, me too, I was just struck by the similarity in terms of plot. 🤔🧐🐶
@@vintagesf 1999 edition or 1993? 😳
Oh, yeah, a tremendous collection of stories. Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore were among the finest authors of their day and 'Mimsy Were the Borogroves' is a good representative of that. I have always loved the stories in 'City' by Clifford D. Simak. 'Huddling Place' is not my favorite but, given the way he explores mental illness, I can see why it is in this collection. 'Scanners Live in Vain' was my first introduction to Cordwainer Smith. You can see why I became a fan. 'The Little Black Bag' is a great introduction to C.M. Kornbluth. It actually ties in with the later story 'The Marching Morons' which is Kornbluth's best known story.
A really fine presentation, Richard.
@@paulcooper3611 Thank you.
I'm so happy you are covering this anthology! Scanners Live in Vain, Mimsy were the Borogroves, and Little black Bag were my favorites in this set.
So many great stories in this set. I’d never read ‘Little Black Bag’ before and thought it charming at first, then horrific and finally narrative satisfying.
@@vintagesf The Little Black Bag was also an excellent Night Gallery segment with Burgess Meredith
@@MuseumOfWonders I’ll have to find that episode. Burgess Meredith was so good in ‘The Twilight Zone’. I’m guessing his acting in this one was impressive too.
Brilliant. I love it.
This is an absolutely essential set of books. They are also the best looking books in my collection and I would recommend any serious SF reader to hunt them down. Not easy to find in the UK though.
I do love the boxed paperback set pictured in my thumbnails. To me they are even more iconic than the original hardcovers. Once you know what they contain they become a pillar of any SF library.
A ridiculous movie was made of Mimsy were the Borogroves. I think the title was The Last Mimsy. It had almost nothing to do with the story.
@@MarianPowell I avoided referencing that one because it seemed like such a disservice to such a great story. Perhaps someday it will get a proper adaptation.
@@vintagesf I thought of my comment as a warning if anyone notices the movie and wonders if it's worth watching. It's not.