World's Best Science Fiction: 1965

World's Best Science Fiction: 1965 is the first volume in a notable anthology series edited by Donald A. Wollheim and Terry Carr. Published by Ace Books, this collection features seventeen science fiction stories from established and emerging authors of the period, including Philip K. Dick and Fritz Leiber. The stories were primarily published in 1964 across major science fiction magazines like Galaxy Magazine and Analog Science Fiction. Two international works appear in translation: "Vampires Ltd." by Josef Nesvadba (from Czech) and "What Happened to Sergeant Masuro?" by Harry Mulisch (from Dutch). Each story in this collection represents the cutting edge of 1960s science fiction, with plots ranging from space exploration to time travel to human transformation. The anthology showcases both American and international perspectives on scientific advancement and human potential. The collection reflects the social and technological preoccupations of mid-1960s science fiction, exploring themes of isolation, identity, and humanity's relationship with scientific progress. Many stories examine how individuals cope with radical change and technological advancement.

Readers rate this anthology 3.8/5 on Goodreads (28 ratings) and view it as a solid representation of 1960s science fiction magazines. Readers appreciated: - The Fritz Leiber story "The Good New Days" for its satirical take on nostalgia - Roger Zelazny's "The Great Slow Kings" for its humor - The mix of established authors and newer voices - The curator's focus on stories about human reactions to technology Common criticisms: - Uneven quality across stories - Some stories feel dated in their portrayal of gender roles - Several plots rely on now-obsolete technology concepts - A few stories drag with lengthy technical descriptions One reviewer noted "about half the stories hold up well today, while others show their age." Another mentioned the anthology provides "an interesting snapshot of what editors thought was cutting-edge SF in 1965, for better or worse." 3.5/5 on Vintage SF review blog (2 reviews) Out of print, no Amazon ratings available

Year's Best SF 1 by Frederik Pohl This collection presents space exploration stories and experimental science fiction from the same era as Wollheim's anthology.

The Road to Science Fiction: Volume 3 by James Gunn The anthology traces science fiction's development through the 1960s with stories about space travel, alien contact, and technological advancement.

Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison This groundbreaking anthology captures the revolutionary spirit of 1960s science fiction with stories that challenge social and literary conventions.

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One by Robert Silverberg The volume compiles the most influential science fiction short stories from 1929 to 1964, selected by members of the Science Fiction Writers of America.

New Worlds: An Anthology by Michael Moorcock This collection represents the British New Wave science fiction movement that emerged parallel to the stories in Wollheim's anthology.

🚀 Donald A. Wollheim was one of the first people to publish science fiction in paperback format, founding both Ace Books and DAW Books - the first publishing company named after its owner. 📖 The year 1965 marked a crucial transition in science fiction, as the genre shifted from purely technological narratives to more socially conscious storytelling influenced by the Civil Rights Movement. 🏆 Philip K. Dick, one of the featured authors, later had numerous works adapted into major films, including "Blade Runner," "Total Recall," and "Minority Report." 🌟 During the 1960s, science fiction magazines paid approximately 3-5 cents per word for stories, making anthology publications like this one a vital source of income for writers. 🎯 The anthology's co-editor, Terry Carr, went on to discover and publish early works by numerous influential writers, including William Gibson, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Lucius Shepard.