The Best of James Blish


The Best of James Blish is a collection of science fiction short stories by American author James Blish, edited by Robert A. W. Lowndes. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in August 1979 as a volume in its Classic Library of Science Fiction.

Summary

The book contains twelve short works of fiction and an afterword by the author in the persona of one of his pseudonyms, William Atheling Jr., together with an introduction by editor Robert A. W. Lowndes.

Contents

  • "Science Fiction the Hard Way"
  • "Citadel of Thought"
  • "The Box"
  • "There Shall Be No Darkness"
  • "Surface Tension"
  • "Testament of Andros"
  • "Common Time"
  • "Beep"
  • "A Work of Art"
  • "This Earth of Hours"
  • "The Oath"
  • "How Beautiful with Banners"
  • "A Style in Treason"
  • "Probapossible Prolegomena to Ideareal History"

Reception

The book was reviewed by Taras Wolansky in Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review, October 1979, and Tom Easton in Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, April 1980.

Awards

The book placed sixth in the 1980 Locus Poll Award for Best Single Author Collection. "A Style in Treason" was nominated for the 1971 Hugo Award for Best Novella/