World's Best Science Fiction: 1966

World's Best Science Fiction: 1966 is the second volume in a seven-part anthology series edited by Donald A. Wollheim and Terry Carr. The collection features fifteen science fiction stories from notable authors including Arthur C. Clarke, Larry Niven, Harlan Ellison, and Fritz Leiber. The stories were originally published in leading science fiction magazines of the 1960s, such as Galaxy Magazine, Amazing Stories, and Analog Science Fiction. Four of the included works received Nebula Award nominations, with Harlan Ellison's "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" winning both the Nebula and Hugo Awards. The anthology presents a snapshot of science fiction during a pivotal period in the genre's development, showcasing themes of technological progress, human consciousness, and societal control. The collection represents diverse approaches to speculative fiction, from hard science fiction to more experimental narratives.

Readers note this anthology contains several standout stories among its 11 selections. Multiple reviews mention "Nine Hundred Grandmothers" by R.A. Lafferty and "The Streets of Ashkelon" by Harry Harrison as highlights. Likes: - Strong selection of authors compared to other 1960s anthologies - Mix of established and emerging writers of the era - Introduction provides context for each story Dislikes: - Some stories show their age in terms of social views - Collection feels uneven in quality - A few stories deemed too experimental Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) ISFDB: No rating available LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (4 ratings) One reviewer on LibraryThing praised Wollheim's "knack for finding stories that hold up decades later." Another on Goodreads noted the anthology offers "a fascinating snapshot of where SF was heading in the mid-60s."

The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Volume One by Gardner Dozois A collection of science fiction stories from 1972 captures the same era's technological optimism and social commentary themes.

Dangerous Visions by Harlan Ellison This anthology pushed boundaries in science fiction storytelling with stories from authors who defined the New Wave movement of the 1960s.

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One by Robert Silverberg The compilation presents the most influential short science fiction stories published before 1965, selected by Science Fiction Writers of America members.

New Worlds Quarterly #1 by Michael Moorcock The collection features experimental science fiction stories from British authors who challenged conventional science fiction norms during the 1960s.

England Swings SF by Judith Merril This anthology documents the British New Wave science fiction movement with stories that parallel the experimental nature of 1960s science fiction.

🚀 Donald A. Wollheim was the first publisher to release paperback editions of The Lord of the Rings in America, though he did so without Tolkien's permission due to a copyright loophole. 📖 The anthology series started as "World's Best Science Fiction" but was later renamed to "The Annual World's Best SF" from the 1972 volume onward. 🏆 "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" by Harlan Ellison is one of the most reprinted science fiction stories ever and has been translated into more than 10 languages. ⭐ Co-editor Terry Carr went on to discover and publish early works by authors like William Gibson and Kim Stanley Robinson through his groundbreaking "Ace Science Fiction Specials" series. 🌟 The mid-1960s period covered by this anthology coincided with the "New Wave" movement in science fiction, which emphasized literary experimentation and social commentary over traditional space opera.