Men Against the Stars
Encyclopedia
Men Against the Stars is a 1950
anthology of science fiction
short stories edited by Martin Greenberg
. It was the first “theme” anthology in science fiction, where all stories
are about a common idea, setting, or concept. All the stories, save one, had originally appeared in the magazine Astounding. The other story, "When Shadows Fall", first appeared in Startling Stories
.
praised the volume as "a pioneer among 'patterned' anthologies [and] an outstanding collection." P. Schuyler Miller
called it "one of the best science fiction antholgies to date [in 1950], praising the consistent selection of "stories of human problems and human values."
1950 in literature
The year 1950 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Kazuo Shimada wins the "Mystery Writer Of Japan" award for his book Shakai-bu Kisha .*Jack Kerouac has his first novel published....
anthology of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short stories edited by Martin Greenberg
Martin Greenberg
Martin Greenberg is an American book publisher and editor of science fiction anthologies.-Biography:Greenberg married in 1941. He was in the U.S...
. It was the first “theme” anthology in science fiction, where all stories
are about a common idea, setting, or concept. All the stories, save one, had originally appeared in the magazine Astounding. The other story, "When Shadows Fall", first appeared in Startling Stories
Startling Stories
Startling Stories was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1955 by Standard Magazines. It was initially edited by Mort Weisinger, who was also the editor of Thrilling Wonder Stories, Standard's other science fiction title. Startling ran a lead novel in every issue;...
.
Contents
- Foreword, by Martin GreenbergMartin GreenbergMartin Greenberg is an American book publisher and editor of science fiction anthologies.-Biography:Greenberg married in 1941. He was in the U.S...
- Introduction, by Willy LeyWilly LeyWilly Ley was a German-American science writer and space advocate who helped popularize rocketry and spaceflight in both Germany and the United States. The crater Ley on the far side of the Moon is named in his honor.-Life:...
- "Trends", by Isaac AsimovIsaac AsimovIsaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
- "Men Against the Stars", by Manly Wade WellmanManly Wade WellmanManly Wade Wellman was an American writer. He is best known for his fantasy and horror stories set in the Appalachian Mountains and for drawing on the native folklore of that region, but he wrote in a wide variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, detective...
- "The Red Death of Mars", by Robert Moore WilliamsRobert Moore WilliamsRobert Moore Williams , born in Farmington, Missouri, was an American writer, primarily of science fiction. Pseudonyms included John S Browning, H. H. Hermon, Russell Storm and E. K. Jarvis ....
- "Locked Out", by H. B. Fyfe
- "The Iron Standard", by Lewis PadgettLewis PadgettLewis Padgett was the joint pseudonym of the science fiction authors and spouses Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore, taken from their mothers' maiden names. They also used the pseudonyms Lawrence O'Donnell and C. H...
- "Schedule", by Harry Walton
- "Far Centaurus", by A. E. van VogtA. E. van VogtAlfred Elton van Vogt was a Canadian-born science fiction author regarded by some as one of the most popular and complex science fiction writers of the mid-twentieth century: the "Golden Age" of the genre....
- "Cold Front", by Hal ClementHal ClementHarry Clement Stubbs better known by the pen name Hal Clement, was an American science fiction writer and a leader of the hard science fiction subgenre.-Biography:...
- "The Plants", by Murray LeinsterMurray LeinsterMurray Leinster was a nom de plume of William Fitzgerald Jenkins, an award-winning American writer of science fiction and alternate history...
- "Competition", by E. Mayne Hull
- "Bridle and Saddle", by Isaac AsimovIsaac AsimovIsaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
- "When Shadows Fall", by L. Ron HubbardL. Ron HubbardLafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
Reception
Anthony BoucherAnthony Boucher
Anthony Boucher was an American science fiction editor and author of mystery novels and short stories. He was particularly influential as an editor. Between 1942 and 1947 he acted as reviewer of mostly mystery fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle...
praised the volume as "a pioneer among 'patterned' anthologies [and] an outstanding collection." P. Schuyler Miller
P. Schuyler Miller
Peter Schuyler Miller was an American science fiction writer and critic.-Life:Miller was raised in New York's Mohawk Valley, which led to a life-long interest in the Iroquois Indians. He pursued this as an amateur archaeologist and a member of the New York State Archaeological Association.He...
called it "one of the best science fiction antholgies to date [in 1950], praising the consistent selection of "stories of human problems and human values."