The Best Science Fiction of the Year 1
Encyclopedia
The Best Science Fiction of the Year 1 is an anthology
of science fiction
short stories edited by Terry Carr
, the initial volume in a series
of sixteen. It was one of two follow-up volumes to the previous year's World's Best Science Fiction: 1971
edited by Carr in collaboration with Donald A. Wollheim
for Ace Books
, the other being Wollheim's The 1972 Annual World's Best SF
, edited by Wollheim and Arthur W. Saha
. The Carr title was first published in paperback AS The Best Science Fiction of the Year by Ballantine Books
in July 1972. It was reissued by Ballantine in April 1976 as The Best Science Fiction of the Year #1, in keeping with the numerical designations of subsequent volumes in the series.
The book collects eleven novellas, novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with an introduction by Carr. Most of the stories were previously published in 1971 in the magazines If
, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
, and Playboy
, and the anthologies Infinity Two
, New Dimensions 1
, Four Futures, New Worlds Quarterly 2, Universe 1
, and Quark/4
.
and the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Novella
, and placed first in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
.
"A Meeting with Medusa" won the 1972 Nebula Award for Best Novella
, was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Novella
, and placed second in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
.
"Vaster Than Empires and More Slow" was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
, and placed 14th in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
.
"All the Last Wars at Once" was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
and placed second in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
.
"The Fourth Profession" was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Novella
.
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
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 Terry Carr
Terry Carr
Terry Gene Carr was a U.S. science fiction author, editor, and teacher.Terry Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon...
, the initial volume in a series
The Best Science Fiction of the Year
The Best Science Fiction of the Year was a series of annual paperback anthologies edited by Terry Carr. It was published by Ballantine Books from 1972 to 1980, Pocket Books from 1981 to 1983, Baen Books in 1984, and Tor Books, 1985 to 1987...
of sixteen. It was one of two follow-up volumes to the previous year's World's Best Science Fiction: 1971
World's Best Science Fiction: 1971
World's Best Science Fiction: 1971 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Donald A. Wollheim and Terry Carr, the seventh volume in a series of seven. It was first published in paperback by Ace Books in 1971, followed by a hardcover edition issued in September of the same year by...
edited by Carr in collaboration with Donald A. Wollheim
Donald A. Wollheim
Donald Allen Wollheim was an American science fiction ' editor, publisher, writer, and fan. As an author, he published under his own name as well as under pseudonyms, including David Grinnell....
for Ace Books
Ace Books
Ace Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
, the other being Wollheim's The 1972 Annual World's Best SF
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF
The 1972 Annual World's Best SF is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Donald A. Wollheim and Arthur W. Saha, the initial volume in a series of nineteen...
, edited by Wollheim and Arthur W. Saha
Arthur W. Saha
Arthur William Saha was an American speculative fiction editor and anthologist, closely associated with publisher Donald A. Wollheim.-Life:...
. The Carr title was first published in paperback AS The Best Science Fiction of the Year by Ballantine Books
Ballantine Books
Ballantine Books is a major book publisher located in the United States, founded in 1952 by Ian Ballantine with his wife, Betty Ballantine. It was acquired by Random House in 1973, which in turn was acquired by Bertelsmann AG in 1998 and remains part of that company today. Ballantine's logo is a...
in July 1972. It was reissued by Ballantine in April 1976 as The Best Science Fiction of the Year #1, in keeping with the numerical designations of subsequent volumes in the series.
The book collects eleven novellas, novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with an introduction by Carr. Most of the stories were previously published in 1971 in the magazines If
If (magazine)
If was an American science fiction magazine launched in March 1952 by Quinn Publications, owned by James L. Quinn. Quinn hired Paul W. Fairman to be the first editor, but early circulation figures were disappointing, and Quinn fired Fairman after only three issues. Quinn then took over the...
, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is a digest-size American fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in 1949 by Mystery House and then by Fantasy House. Both were subsidiaries of Lawrence Spivak's Mercury Publications, which took over as publisher in 1958. Spilogale, Inc...
, and Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
, and the anthologies Infinity Two
Infinity Two
-Charts:-External links:* at Avex Network* at Oricon...
, New Dimensions 1
New Dimensions 1
New Dimensions 1 is an anthology of original science fiction stories edited by Robert Silverberg, published in hardcover by Doubleday Books in 1971 and reprinted in paperback by Avon Books in 1973. While Silverberg had previously compiled several reprint anthologies, New Dimensions 1 was the first...
, Four Futures, New Worlds Quarterly 2, Universe 1
Universe 1
Universe 1 is an anthology of original science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the initial volume in a series of seventeen. It was first published in paperback by Ace Books in 1971, with a British hardcover facsimile edition following from Dennis Dobson in 1975.The book collects twelve...
, and Quark/4
Quark/4
Quark/4 is a 1971 anthology of short stories and poetry edited by Samuel R. Delany and Marilyn Hacker. It is the fourth and final volume in the Quark series. The stories and poems are original to this anthology with the exception of "Voortrekker" which had previously appeared in the magazine...
.
Contents
- "Introduction" (Terry CarrTerry CarrTerry Gene Carr was a U.S. science fiction author, editor, and teacher.Terry Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon...
) - "Occam's Scalpel" (Theodore SturgeonTheodore SturgeonTheodore Sturgeon was an American science fiction author.His most famous novel is More Than Human .-Biography:...
) - "The Queen of Air and Darkness" (Poul AndersonPoul AndersonPoul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories...
) - "In Entropy's Jaws" (Robert SilverbergRobert SilverbergRobert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
) - "The Sliced-Crosswise Only-On-Tuesday WorldThe Sliced-Crosswise Only-On-Tuesday World"The Sliced-Crosswise Only-On-Tuesday World" is a science-fiction short story by Philip José Farmer, first published in 1971 in New Dimensions 1: Fourteen Original Science Fiction Stories. The story later formed the basis for Farmer's Dayworld trilogy of novels.-Plot:Due to extreme overpopulation...
" (Philip José FarmerPhilip José FarmerPhilip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his award-winning science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories....
) - "A Meeting With Medusa" (Arthur C. ClarkeArthur C. ClarkeSir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE, FRAS was a British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, famous for his short stories and novels, among them 2001: A Space Odyssey, and as a host and commentator in the British television series Mysterious World. For many years, Robert A. Heinlein,...
) - "The Frayed String on the Stretched Forefinger of Time" (Lloyd Biggle, Jr.Lloyd Biggle, Jr.Lloyd Biggle, Jr. , was a musician, author, and internationally known oral historian.-Biography:Biggle was born in 1923 in Waterloo, Iowa. He served in World War II as a communications sergeant in a rifle company of the 102nd Infantry Division; during the war, he was wounded twice...
) - "How Can We Sink When We Can Fly?" (Alexei PanshinAlexei PanshinAlexis Adams Panshin is an American author and science fiction critic. He has written several critical works and several novels, including the 1968 Nebula Award-winning novel Rite of Passage and the 1990 Hugo Award winning study of science fiction The World Beyond the Hill .-Other works:Panshin...
) - "No Direction Home" (Norman SpinradNorman SpinradNorman Richard Spinrad is an American science fiction author.Born in New York City, Spinrad is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco,...
) - "Vaster Than Empires and More Slow" (Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le GuinUrsula Kroeber Le Guin is an American author. She has written novels, poetry, children's books, essays, and short stories, notably in fantasy and science fiction...
) - "All the Last Wars at Once" (George Alec EffingerGeorge Alec EffingerGeorge Alec Effinger was an American science fiction author, born in 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio.-Writing career:...
) - "The Fourth Profession" (Larry NivenLarry NivenLaurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
)
Awards
"The Queen of Air and Darkness" won the 1971 Nebula Award for Best NoveletteNebula Award for Best Novelette
Winners of the Nebula Award for best Novelette. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year. Winning titles are listed first, with other nominees listed below.-External links:* * *...
and the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Novella
Hugo Award for Best Novella
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
, and placed first in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
"A Meeting with Medusa" won the 1972 Nebula Award for Best Novella
Nebula Award for Best Novella
Winners of the Nebula Award for Best Novella. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year.-Winners and other nominees:-External links:**...
, was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Novella
Hugo Award for Best Novella
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
, and placed second in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
"Vaster Than Empires and More Slow" was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
Hugo Award for Best Short Story
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
, and placed 14th in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
"All the Last Wars at Once" was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
Hugo Award for Best Short Story
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
and placed second in the 1972 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
"The Fourth Profession" was nominated for the 1972 Hugo Award for Best Novella
Hugo Award for Best Novella
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
.