The Best of Hal Clement


The Best of Hal Clement is a collection of science fiction short stories by American author Hal Clement, edited by Lester del Rey. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in June 1979 as a volume in its Ballantine's Classic Library of [Science Fiction|Classic Library of Science Fiction]. It was reissued in ebook by Gateway/Orion in May 2013, and in trade paperback and ebook by Phoenix Pick in December 2014.

Summary

The book contains ten short works of fiction and an afterword by the author, together with an introduction by editor Lester del Rey.

Contents

  • "Hal Clement: Rationalist"
  • "Impediment"
  • "Technical Error"
  • "Uncommon Sense"
  • "Assumption Unjustified"
  • "Answer"
  • "Dust Rag"
  • "Bulge"
  • "Mistaken for Granted"
  • "A Question of Guilt"
  • "Stuck with It"
  • "Author's Afterword"

Reception

The book was reviewed by Stephen W. Potts in Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review, Nov. 1979.

Awards

The book placed tenth in the 1980 Locus Poll Award for Best Single Author Collection. "Uncommon Sense" won the 1946 Retro Hugo Award for Best Short Story, awarded in 1996.