Chosen by readers of Analog magazine, this anthology is a selection of representative stories from 1934 to 1977 written by a diverse group of authors representing the wide scope of writers in the science fiction genre. As with any anthology, there were oft-requested stories [such as Isaac Asimov’s “Nightfall”] that did not make the cut, but the selection here is both varied and interesting. Imagination soars with Martian observers, dreams of the moon, a space probe to Titan, simulated battles, and much, much more. Arranged in order by publication date in the magazine, the stories chosen for this anthology are some of the genre’s brightest.

The stories: “Old Faithful” by Raymond Z. Gallun, “Helen O’Loy” by Lester del Rey, “Requiem” by Robert A. Heinlein, “Some Curious Effects of Time Travel” by L. Sprague de Camp, “The Cold Equations” by Tom Godwin, “Plus X” by Eric Frank Russell, “The Big Front Yard” by Clifford D. Simak, “Home is the Hangman” by Roger Zelazny, “Eyes of Amber” by Joan D. Vinge, and “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card. An editorial by John W. Campbell, Jr., “What Do You Mean – Human?” is also included.

Highly recommended. ( )