A Spectrum of Worlds

​ Science fiction has been called the pulp literature of the twentieth century, writes Thomas D. Clareson. In this collection of fourteen stories by some of the best known authors of the past hundred years he sets out to correct that impression and place science fiction in its proper position in our literary tradition. Including classic tales by Ambrose Bierce, H.G. Wells, Jack London, Stephen Vincent Benét on up to Isaac Asimov, J.G. Ballard, and Robert Silverberg in our own time, Professor Clareson traces the many-faceted movement towards fantasy in literature which has enabled the modern writer to create a whole spectrum of worlds that do not exist anywhere but in his narrative. And thereby he provides a fascinating record of the development of science fiction as it is known today. Contents: —Bierce, Ambrose: The Damned Thing —Wells, H.G.: The Sea Raiders —London, Jack: The Red One —Williamson, Jack: The Metal Man —Benét, Stephen Vincent: By The Waters Of Babylon —Asimov, Isaac: Trends —Vogt, A.E. van: Far Centaurus —Clarke, Arthur C.: If I Forget Thee, O Earth —Simak, Clifford D.: Desertion —Ballard, J.G.: Thirteen For Centaurus —Harrison, Harry: Captain Honario Harpplayer, R.N. —Delany, Samuel R.: Driftglass —Aldiss, Brian W.: Still Trajectories —Silverberg, Robert: Sundance