Edited by Harry Turtledove with Martin H. Greenberg
Del Rey, May 2001, 18.00, 560 pp.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
ISBN: 0345439899
This thirteen-story collection runs the gamut of science fiction even as the theme throughout centers on the military. The contributors are an “A to Z” (actually W) of renowned science fiction authors with most of the authors having one name recognition (Clarke, McCaffrey, Anderson, Benford, Cherryh, Drake, and Turtledove, etc.
The tales contain alternate history (duh – with Mr. Turtledove as a participant that is no surprise ending), outer space wars between technological advanced civilizations and more primitive societies, and old fashion magic. The contributions take place in different eras though some are post apocalyptic to post nuclear vampiric. All have heroes or heroines battling against overwhelming odds that would lead to Luke losing confidence in the force.
Each story is well written as one would expect from a book titled THE BEST MILITARY SCIENCE FICTION OF THE 20TH CENTURY, and edited by Mr. Turtledove with Martin H. Greenberg. Besides being well-written tales by the elite of the past century, several of the short stories include the opening gamut of an author's classic series (Haldeman, Card). Science Fiction fans will want to read this one because the book lives up to its title.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner