The Ultimate Egoist

The Ultimate Egoist
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 409
Release: 2013-04-09
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1583947450

A collection of the early works of Theodore Sturgeon, acclaimed Grand Master of Science Fiction—featuring forewords by Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke Although Theodore Sturgeon's reach was limited to the lengths of the short story and novelette, his influence was strongly felt by even the most original science fiction stylists—including Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, and Gene Wolfe. Written from 1937 to 1940, the stories here showcase Sturgeon's masterful knack for clever, O. Henry-ish plot twists, sparkling character development, and almost archetypal, “Why didn't I think of that?” story ideas. Early Sturgeon masterpieces include “It,” a story about the violence done by a creature spontaneously born from garbage and mud, and “Helix the Cat,” about an inventor's bizarre encounter with a disembodied soul and the cat that saves it. Featuring more than forty stories, The Ultimate Egoist is a timelessly entertaining tour through the early career and unique genius of this legend of science fiction.

Microcosmic God

Microcosmic God
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 409
Release: 2013-04-09
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1583947469

The second of a planned 10 volumes that will reprint all Sturgeon's short fiction covers his prolific output during 1940 and 1941, after which he suffered five years of writer's block. Showcasing Sturgeon's early penchant for fantasy, the first six selections include whimsical ghost stories, such as "Cargo," in which a World War II munitions freighter is commandeered by invisible, peace-loving fairies. With the publication of his enduring SF classic, "Microcosmic God," Sturgeon finally found his voice, combining literate, sharp-edged prose with fascinating speculative science while recounting the power struggle between a brilliant scientist, who creates his own miniature race of gadget makers, and his greedy banker. Voice found or not, every one of the stories here is readable and entertaining today because of Sturgeon's singular gifts for clever turns of phrase and compelling narrative. As Samuel R. Delaney emphasizes in an insightful introduction, Sturgeon was the single most influential SF writer from the 1940s through the 1960s.

A Saucer of Loneliness

A Saucer of Loneliness
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 401
Release: 2013-04-16
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1583947515

Kurt Vonnegut cites Theodore Sturgeon as the inspiration for his character Kilgore Trout. This volume includes 12 stories from 1953, considered Sturgeon's golden era. Among them are such favorites as the title story, "The Silken-Swift," "A Way of Thinking," "The Dark Room," "The Clinic," and "The World Well Lost," a story very ahead of its time in advocating gay rights.

Perfect Host

Perfect Host
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 410
Release: 2000-08
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9781556433603

Featuring 17 stories from the late 1940s, "The Perfect Host" is the fifth in a highly acclaimed series that brings together all the short stories of one of the finest science-fiction and fantasy writers of the century. Larry McCaffery writes the Foreword.

The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th Century

The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th Century
Author: Harry Turtledove
Publisher: Del Rey
Total Pages: 450
Release: 2004-12-28
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0345481909

LEAP INTO THE FUTURE, AND SHOOT BACK TO THE PAST H. G. Wells’s seminal short story “The Time Machine,” published in 1895, provided the springboard for modern science fiction’s time travel explosion. Responding to their own fascination with the subject, the greatest visionary writers of the twentieth century penned some of their finest stories. Here are eighteen of the most exciting tales ever told, including “Time’s Arrow” In Arthur C. Clarke’s classic, two brilliant physicists finally crack the mystery of time travel—with appalling consequences. “Death Ship” Richard Matheson, author of Somewhere in Time, unveils a chilling scenario concerning three astronauts who stumble upon the conundrum of past and future. “Yesterday was Monday” If all the world’s a stage, Theodore Sturgeon’s compelling tale follows the odyssey of an ordinary joe who winds up backstage. “Rainbird” R.A. Lafferty reflects on what might have been in this brainteaser about an inventor so brilliant that he invents himself right out of existence. “Timetipping” What if everyone time-traveled except you? Jack Dann provides some surprising answers in this literary gem. . . . as well as stories by Poul Anderson • L. Sprague de Camp • Joe Haldeman • John Kessel • Nancy Kress • Henry Kuttner • Ursula K. Le Guin • Larry Niven • Charles Sheffield • Robert Silverberg • Connie Willis By turns frightening, puzzling, and fantastic, these stories engage us in situations that may one day break free of the bonds of fantasy . . . to enter the realm of the future: our future. Note: "A Sound of Thunder" by Ray Bradbury and "I'm Scared" by Jack Finney are not included in this edition.

Godbody

Godbody
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: Open Road Media
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2013-04-30
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1453295461

The arrival of a mysterious savior transforms a small town in this provocative parable from “a master storyteller certain to fascinate” (Kurt Vonnegut). Everything changes when Godbody comes to town. He appears out of nowhere, enigmatic and breathtaking, to touch the lives of a chosen few. To them he offers a vision of what life could be—spreading his message of love, generosity, sensuosness, and freedom—and before long he has erased their sadness and opened their hearts. Still, there are those in town who, corrupt and powerful, are threatened by what Godbody brings, and for this reason he must pay the ultimate price. But before his preordained end, Godbody will accomplish something truly miraculous. The final book of Theodore Sturgeon’s fabled career, published posthumously, Godbody is a powerful, moving, thought provoking, and sweetly erotic tale of love, truth, and otherworldly second comings that, once read, will never be forgotten. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Theodore Sturgeon including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the University of Kansas’s Kenneth Spencer Research Library and the author’s estate, among other sources.

Some of Your Blood

Some of Your Blood
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: Open Road Media
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2013-04-30
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1453295453

One of the Horror Writers Association’s Top 40 Horror Books of All Time—the story of a troubled soldier and his bizarre, violent obsession with vampirism. At the height of an unnamed war, a soldier is confined for striking an officer. Referred to as George Smith in official papers and records, the prisoner comes under the observation of Army psychiatrist Philip Outerbridge, who asks the young man to put his story down on paper. The result is a shocking tale of abuse, violence, and twisted love, a personal history as dark and troubling as any the doctor has ever encountered. Believing the patient to be dangerously psychotic, Dr. Outerbridge must dig deeper into his psyche. And when the truth about the strange case of George Smith is fully revealed, the results will be devastating. Told through letters, transcripts, and case studies, Some of Your Blood is an extraordinary, poignant yet terrifying, genre-defying novel. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Theodore Sturgeon including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the University of Kansas’s Kenneth Spencer Research Library and the author’s estate, among other sources.

Killdozer!

Killdozer!
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Total Pages: 385
Release: 1996-10-25
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1556432275

Discover tales of murderous hive minds, possessed bulldozers, crash-landed aliens in this collection of classic science fiction short stories—from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning master of the genre. Killdozer! is the third volume of a series of the complete short stories from Theodore Sturgeon’s career. It contains a few of his best and most famous short stories, including “Medusa”, “Killdozer!”, and “Mewhu's Jet”. The series editor Paul Williams has dug into the background of each story, and come up with a lot of interesting lore about Sturgeon. Especially of interest in this volume is the alternative original ending to “Mewhu's Jet.”

More Than Human

More Than Human
Author: Theodore Sturgeon
Publisher: Open Road Media
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2013-04-30
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1453295410

Six misfits, one powerful entity. An award-winning novel about belonging by “one of the greatest writers of science fiction and fantasy who ever lived” (Stephen King). Individually, they are a seemingly simpleminded young man living in the woods who can read the thoughts of others, a runaway girl with telekinetic powers, twin girls who can barely speak but can teleport across great distances, and an infant with a mind like a supercomputer. Together, they are the Gestalt—a single extraordinary being comprised of remarkable parts—although an essential piece may be missing . . . But are they the next stage in human development or harbingers of the end of civilization? The answer may come when they are joined by Gerry. Powerfully telepathic, he lacks a moral compass—and his hatred of the world that has rejected him could prove catastrophic. Winner of the International Fantasy Award and considered Theodore Sturgeon’s masterpiece, More Than Human is a genre-bending wonder that explores themes of responsibility and morality, individuality, and belonging. Moving and suspenseful, lyrical and provocative, the novel was one of the first to elevate science fiction into the realm of literature, and inspired musicians and artists, including the Grateful Dead and Crosby, Stills and Nash. From the Nebula Award–winning author of Godbody, The Dreaming Jewels, and other great works of science fiction, this is an unforgettable reading experience and a must for anyone who enjoys Ramsey Campbell, Robert Silverberg, or Philip José Farmer. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Theodore Sturgeon including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the University of Kansas’s Kenneth Spencer Research Library and the author’s estate, among other sources.

A Perfect Vacuum

A Perfect Vacuum
Author: Stanisław Lem
Publisher: Northwestern University Press
Total Pages: 248
Release: 1999
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9780810117334

"In a perfect vacuum, Stanislaw Lem presents a collection of book reviews of nonexistent works of literature - works that, in many cases, could not possibly be written. Embracing postmodernism's "games for games' sake" ethos, Lem joins the contest with hilarious and grotesque results." "Most of the "reviews" target the postmodern infatuation with antinarratives by lampooning their self-indulgence and exploiting their mannerisms. Lem exposes the limits of postmodern fiction, showing how its studious self-consciousness frequently conceals intellectual paucity. Beginning with a review of his own book, Lem moves on to tackle (or create pastiches of) the French new novel, James Joyce, pornography, authorless writing, and Dostoevsky, while at the same time ranging across scientific topics, from cosmology to the pervasiveness of computers." --Book Jacket.