The Mammoth Book of "Vintage Science Fiction" is a collection of 10 short stories (i.e. around 50 pages each) from the 1950's. The authors contained in this volume include renowed sci-fi writers such as Asimov, Walter M. Miller (author of "Canticle for Lebowitz), Poul Anderson, Theodore Sturgeon, and Philip Jose Farmer; and it is edited by Asimov.

I recommend this collection for some one looking for a good or entertaining sci-fi read, or for some one looking for a "classic" sci-fi collection. The best stories include "Flight to Forever" by Poul Anderson (a captivating time-travelling tale that's on par with Time Machine), "The Oceans are Wide" by Frank M. Robinson (an interesting coming of age tale, on a ship on a long voyage into the unknown), "Dark Benediction" by Walter M. Miller (a story of a futuristic plague), and "Second Game" by Charles De Vet and Katherine MacLean. Other stories featured are "The Martian Way" by Asimov, "The Alley Man" by Farmer (reminiscent of something out of the "X-files"), and "Baby is Three" by Sturgeon, (which is a shorter version of his novel "More than Human").

The collection features some great sci-fi - some of which is nostalgic, but it in a good way - while other stories actually seem quite timeless. The "Mammoth" Sci books (by Carroll & Graf Sci-Fi) are actually a series of 6 volumes from the Classic sci-fi of the 1930's, through Modern Sci-fi of the 80's. Based on this volume, and some of the titles in the 60's volume, it's too bad these volumes are out of circulation and somewhat difficult to find. This is a great collection of page-turning stories, and would make a good gift for Sci-Fi fans, young and old! I recommend keeping an eye out for it in your local second-hand book store!

Though it's out of stock, I recommend trying to find a copy. For those of you who are just starting to read science fiction or even die hard fans, this book is a great one. It doesn't have a single bad story.

Murder Most Celtic is the latest installment of the "Murder Most" titles covering a vast array of subjects, from Medieval Times, through the Confederacy, and also dealing with food and romance. Editor Martin H. Greenberg is a veteran of over one thousand anthologies, including Vampire Slayers And American Ghost Stories. Mr. Greenberg is the president of TEKNO Books in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

John Helfers writes of Ireland in his Introduction to Murder Most Celtic:

"Start with the landscape. Ireland is a land of amazing contrasts. From the rugged, wind-hewn majesty of the Cliffs of Mohr and the savage storms that blow on the coast to the gentle fog-shrouded hillocks and villages of the Midlands, Ireland is a study in both beauty and hostility."

Sixteen authors' stories are included in this anthology, and they cover the gambit of what is the essence of Ireland. Peter Tremayne's Sister Fidelma solves a murder in Droim Sorn as dálaigh, advocate of the law courts, and saves an innocent sixteen year old when he is wrongfully accused in "Scattered Thorns." Brendan DuBois' "The Wearing of the Green" features an Irish-American old man taunted for his love of Ireland until he retaliates in a murderous fashion. Wendy Lee's "Skiv" tells the story of how even in a Catholic School there can be murder and mayhem.

Editor Martin Greenberg has done a nice job of compiling stories which each represent a different part of the Irish/Celtic heritage. Not all stories deal with an actual murder, but each story shines a light on an endearing trait of what the Irish culture offers the world. Jeremiah Healy's "A Book of Kells" tells a story of loyalty and virtue in applying the rule of law.

Mat Coward's "So Where've You Buried the Missus Then, Paddy?" is a light-hearted look at simple life in a small town.

Murder Most Celtic is a collection of small glimpses into Irish life. The stories sometimes cover the passions associated with murder, but temper the act with good old fashioned Irish blarney.

Shelley Glodowski, Reviewer

Murder Most Medieval is the best anthology of detective stories I have ever read. What makes it unusual is the uniformly high quality of the stories it contains. Each story is superb, beautifully written and skillfully plotted. Yet each story embodies its own author's style. The stories also differ from each other in in content; they are about different periods in time, about different kinds of person, about different ways and walks of life. I rarely like anthologies, but this one is truly extraordinary. The authors deserve much praise; most of the stories make me want to rush out and find other works by those authors unfamiliar to me. The editor deserves much praise as well for putting together such a unified and excellent work.

Murder Most Romantic is Cumberland Houses's latest edition of its "Murder Most..." series., including Murder Most Medieval, Murder Most Delectable, etc. The idea behind each anthology is to combine previously published works under one volume to create the "ultimate" murder mystery collection for avid fans. Martin Greenberg, a/k/a Mr. Anthology, is President of TEKNO Books in Green Bay. His partner in this series, Dennis Little, is an authority on romance writing.

Combining romance and mystery is a little like serving chili and potato soup together; each genre serves up a hearty meal for fans. But the mix proves to be unexpectedly enjoyable for the reader, as the romances involved do not always focus on the strict regimen of "getting the dream man in the end." Indeed, Laura Resnick's "Homicidal Honeymoon" opens with a woman who has temporary lost her memory and identity waking up with a corpse in her bed:

"She developed a theory. 'Someone hit me over the head and killed him...' But who? And why? And what should she do now? Trying to ignore her aching head, she wrapped a threadbare towel around herself, turned, and went out onto the balcony. Her room, she discovered, was on the second floor of a grubby pale building in a rundown semi-urban street."

There are a few stories about theater, including P.N. Elrod's "The Scottish Ploy" and Neesa Hart's "The Show Must Go On." For computer heads there is a virtual reality computer story entitled "Twelve Days," by Laura Hayden ... by Diane A.S. Stuckart. A wonderful ghost story entitled "Keeper of the Well" by Deb Stover brings tears with its sweetness. "Hostage to Love" by Mary Watson appeals to today's headlines.

All in all, Cumberland House has done a nice job of compiling a variety of mysteries where love plays a central role. These stories are well written, entertaining, and keeps the reader so interested that one story naturally flows into the other. This reviewer sat up late finishing the book so as not to miss a scary love morsel...

This short collection of 'mutant' stories is a book I did not expect to have a fond memory of, but it happened nonetheless.

Within its pages is a short story ©1938 by Edmond Hamilton, entitled "He That Hath Wings." It remains to this day one of my favorite short stories.

In it, a boy named David Rand is born with wings. He is raised on a private island owned by doctor Harriman, also his legal guardian. The years of growth are eloquently described in a few pages and you learn from David's perspective what it must be like to grow up with wings, and wonder why nobody else does.

As the story evolves, he escapes to the mainland and falls in love with a woman. He makes a huge sacrifice in order to keep his life normal, but the story ends with a twist; you shall have to read.

It's short and wonderful, highly emotional. If you can find a copy of this book and you're like me, you will love it for this one story alone.

Some information about the book: * Paperback ISBN 0-06-020156-8 or ISBN 0-694-05629-4 * ©1984 by Nightfall, Inc., Martin Greenberg, and Charles Waugh

A list of the short stories: * Introduction - Isaac Asimov * Hail and Farewell - Ray Bradbury * Keep Out - Fredric Brown * What Friends Are For - John Brunner * The Wonder Horse - George Byram * He That Hath Wings - Edmond Hamilton * Second Sight - Alan E. Nourse * I Can't Help Saying Goodbye - Ann Mackenzie * The Listening Child - Idris Seabright * The Children's Room - Raymond F. Jones * The Lost Language - David H. Keller, M.D. * Prone - Mack Reynolds * Come On, Wagon! - Zenna Henderson

And finally, a list of the themes of some of the stories, to pique your interest: * What would it be like if childhood lasted forever? * A horse that can fly - without leaving the ground. * A young girl with overwhelming psychic powers. * Predicting the future. * Telekinesis * Evolution sped up through science.

I enjoyed this collection of stories; there is something for everyone. The writing styles are varied enough to keep you interested. The themes are similiar to other books and stories, but I liked it anyway.

This collection of short christmas stories is wonderful. This is a great book to start a Christmas family tradition. Some stories teach a lesson, some warm your heart and soul and others just make you feel good. I take it with me when I babysit in December, and often read favorite stories over and over. This is the kind of book you share with friends and family!

This collection of sixteen tales uses the seas as its basic setting, but not always Earth's waterways as the locale. The stories are divided into three major categories. "Legend of the High Seas and Spaceways" takes the readers through four adventures in the cosmos or on the edge of future science. "Proto-Pirates of the Galaxy and Beyond" provides the audience with six "pirates in space" stories. "Commodores and Commanders of the Cosmos" includes six tales about crews sailing the seas of the galaxies.

All sixteen tales are well written with contributions by some of science fiction's best authors. Each tale is unique and different as the metaphor that space is a vast ocean is met with vigor and imagination. Readers will want to take this sea cruise.

Harriet Klausner

Children have always been fascinated by fairy tales, but many adults find the stories magical and awe inspiring also. Well renowned editors Ed Gorman and Martin H. Greenberg have come up with a collection that will tantalize the child in all of us. The famous authors put a mysterious or suspense spin on popular fairy tales like SNOW WHITE; THE EMPORER'S NEW CLOTHES, and THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR. Keep in mind that the endings do not always match the original story line.

There are twenty-four stories contained in the anthology that range from cozy to hard-boil. Additionally, many of the tales are placed in a contemporary setting. All the stories are fabulous, but this reviewer especially enjoined "It Happened at Grandmother's House", a tale in which the wolf is a hormonal teen (redundancy)werewolf. Anyone who enjoys fairy tales will love this entertaining short story anthology.

Harriet Klausner