The Mammoth Book of Extreme Science Fiction

The Mammoth Book of Extreme Science Fiction is a 2006 anthology edited by Mike Ashley, featuring 19 science fiction short stories that push the boundaries of scientific concepts and human experience. The collection spans nearly a century of science fiction writing, from B. Vallance's 1909 story "The New Humans" to three original pieces published for the first time in this volume. The anthology includes works from established science fiction authors like Gregory Benford, Stephen Baxter, and Alastair Reynolds, as well as collaborative pieces from writers like Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross. Each story explores different aspects of extreme scenarios, from technological advancement to cosmic phenomena, with Jerry Oltion appearing twice in the collection. The book, published by Robinson in the UK and Carroll & Graf in the US, is part of the larger "Mammoth Book" series edited by Ashley. The collection begins with a two-page introduction by Ashley that contextualizes the theme of extreme science fiction. These stories collectively examine the outer limits of scientific possibility and human potential, challenging readers to consider the implications of radical technological and social change. The anthology demonstrates how science fiction has evolved over the decades while maintaining its core focus on exploring the extremes of scientific speculation.

Readers describe this anthology as a solid collection of hard science fiction stories, though many note it doesn't fully deliver on the "extreme" premise promised by the title. Readers appreciated: - Mix of classic and lesser-known authors - Strong focus on scientific concepts and technological speculation - Several memorable stories about artificial intelligence and space exploration - Clear organization into themed sections Common criticisms: - Stories aren't particularly "extreme" or boundary-pushing - Some selections feel dated - Uneven quality across the collection - Several stories run too long Notable reader quotes: "More conventional than extreme, but still good hard SF" - Amazon reviewer "The AI stories were the highlight" - Goodreads review "Expected more cutting-edge content" - LibraryThing user Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (132 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (24 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (15 ratings)

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• The 1909 story included in the collection marks the earliest example of "extreme" science fiction in the anthology, published just two years after the term "science fiction" was officially coined by Hugo Gernsback. • Mike Ashley has edited over 100 anthologies and written numerous reference works on science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural fiction, making him one of the most prolific editors in the genre. • One of the three original stories commissioned for this anthology explores concepts at the quantum level, where the laws of classical physics break down and particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously. • The collection spans the entire development of modern physics, from the era of Einstein's revolutionary theories to contemporary investigations into string theory and parallel universes. • Despite Ashley's status as a leading authority on genre fiction, he began his career working in local government and developed his expertise in science fiction through decades of independent research and writing.