The Best of L. Sprague de Camp
Encyclopedia
The Best of L. Sprague de Camp is a 1978 collection of writings by science fiction
and fantasy
author L. Sprague de Camp
, first published in hardback by Nelson Doubleday
and in paperback by Ballantine Books
the same year. It has also been translated into German
.
The book contains short works of fiction and poetry by the author, together with an introduction by fellow science fiction writer Poul Anderson
.
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...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
author L. Sprague de Camp
L. Sprague de Camp
Lyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction and fantasy books, non-fiction and biography. In a writing career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, including novels and notable works of non-fiction, including biographies of other important fantasy authors...
, first published in hardback by Nelson Doubleday
Nelson Doubleday
Nelson Doubleday was a U.S. book publisher. He was the nephew of author Russell Doubleday, the son of Frank Nelson Doubleday and Neltje Blanchan, and the father of Nelson Doubleday Jr....
and in paperback 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...
the same year. It has also been translated into German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
.
The book contains short works of fiction and poetry by the author, together with an introduction by fellow science fiction writer Poul Anderson
Poul Anderson
Poul 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...
.
Contents
- "L. Sprague de Camp — Engineer and Sorcerer" by 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...
- "Hyperpilosity"
- "Language for Time Travelers"
- "The Command"
- "The Merman"
- "Employment"
- "The Gnarly Man"
- "Reward of Virtue" (poem)
- "Nothing in the Rules"
- "The Hardwood Pile"
- "The Reluctant Shaman"
- "The Inspector's TeethThe Inspector's Teeth"The Inspector's Teeth" is a science fiction short story written by L. Sprague de Camp, a story in his Viagens Interplanetarias series. It is the first set on Earth, and a linchpin tale in the sequence, showing how the interstellar political system forming the background the rest of the series was...
" - "The Guided Man"
- "The Ameba" (poem)
- "Judgment DayJudgment Day (short story)"Judgment Day" is a classic apocalyptic science fiction story by L. Sprague de Camp. It was first published in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction for August, 1955, and first appeared in book form in the anthology The Best Science Fiction Stories and Novels: 1956...
" - "A Gun for DinosaurA Gun for Dinosaur"A Gun for Dinosaur" is a science fiction story written by L. Sprague de Camp as part of his Rivers of Time series. It was first published in the magazine Galaxy Science Fiction for March, 1956, and first appeared in book form in the anthology The World That Couldn't Be and 8 Other SF Novelets...
" - "The Emperor's FanThe Emperor's Fan"The Emperor's Fan" is a fantasy story written by L. Sprague de Camp, the fourth of his Novarian series. It was first published in Astounding: The John W. Campbell Memorial Anthology, edited by Harry Harrison, in 1973...
" - "Two Yards of DragonThe Incorporated KnightThe Incorporated Knight is a fantasy novel written by L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine Crook de Camp, the first book in a sequence of two. Chapters 1-5 first appeared as the short stories "Two Yards of Dragon", "The Coronet", "Spider Love" and "Eudoric's Unicorn" in Flashing Swords!, The Magazine...
" - "The Little Green Men" (poem)
- "Author's Afterword"