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The Greatest Science Fiction Stories of the 20th Century

By: Greg Bear, Terry Bisson, David Brin, John W. Campbell, Harlan Ellison, Ursula K. Le Guin, Judith Merrill, Frederik Pohl, Eric Frank Russell, Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: David Ackroyd, Wil Wheaton
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Publisher's summary

From Ellison to Clarke to Merrill, hear a dozen unabridged science-fiction short stories, considered the best of the best from the 20th century. They are: "Why I Left Harry's All-Night Diner" by Lawrence Watt Evans, "Jeffty Is Five" by Harlan Ellison, "The Nine Billion Names of God" by Arthur C. Clarke, "The Crystal Spheres" by David Brin, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. LeGuin, "Huddling Place" by Clifford D. Simak, "That Only a Mother" by Judith Merrill, "Fermi and Frost" by Frederick Pohl, "Tangents" by Greg Bear, "Bears Discover Fire" by Terry Bisson, "Allamagoosa" by Eric Frank Russell, and "Twilight" by John W. Campbell.
©1987 by Lawrence Watt Evans; 1935 by Street & Smith Publications; 1985 by Davis Publications, Inc.; 1953, Renewed 1981 by Arthur C. Clarke; 1948 by Judith Merrill; 1973 by Ursula K. LeGuin; 1986 by Omni Publications International Ltd.; 1990 by Davis Publications Inc., "Allamagoosa", Copyright 1955 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc.; 1977 by Harlan Ellison; 1984 by David Brin; 1944 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., Renewed 1972 by Clifford D. Simak (P)1998 by NewStar Media, Inc.
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What listeners say about The Greatest Science Fiction Stories of the 20th Century

Average customer ratings
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  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Variety of Science Fiction Stories

I would not be able to say that these are the greatest science fiction stories since I don't know which stories to compare them with. I would say though that they are interesting stories and that they are entertaining. I enjoyed most of them with the exception of one or two that I can't recall. The performances were great. If you like listening to science-fiction stories, then I would highly recommend this Audible book to you.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great stories but the greatest??

A very enjoyable book of short science fiction stories. Well worth a read, but I am not sure how they got into the list of the greatest of the 20th century. That said, I would be very happy to recommend this book if you are a lover of Sci-Fi.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

some great little stories

I really enjoyed this. several of the stories here are truly awesome and brain bending

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

If not the greatest certainly Classics...

A fine collection of stories better called Classics rather than the greatest.

However one nagging feature of this recording is that there is less than a 1 second gap between tracks! This eats up that essential pause needed after such calibre of tale for reflection.

Other than that I really enjoyed hearing these again.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good, but the greatest?

Some really good stories here, but a bit optimistic with saying they are the greatest. However, well worth a listen, especially if you are new to the genre

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Some new stories I had not heard in other

Some were stories I had not heard before in other collections. Good collection of science fiction stories.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Some decent stories

There are some good stories here, and some not so good ones. Some of the narrators drove me crazy.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

dated but not irrelevant

most of these stories were written before many readers were born and may be hard to understand for younger readers. Other stories are timeless, carrying messages that mean as much, or even more in today's world. Too bad we still have not learned the threat of persecution.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

satisfying and relaxing

Narration very good. stories classic and thought provoking. Loved it! I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

What A shame...

Reading the one-star reviews I can only think:
What a shame that some people think that a candy bar is good food and upon encountering an exquisitely succulent steak, spit it out and warn everyone away from it. "It doesn't have any sugar, it doesn't fizz, it isn't even dyed flourescent green. What crap. It's so boring!"

Happily though, I don't have to worry about the passers-by actually missing out on anything. I've read all these stories before, most several times, because they have appeared in several publications and anthologies over the years and probably will continue to. So any actual fan who's young or just new to the scene but who can appreciate excellence, will almost certainly encouter them many times in other places regardless of audible.com or these reviews.

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42 people found this helpful