The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination

The Mad Scientist's Guide to World Domination is a science fiction anthology featuring 22 original stories from established authors in the genre. The collection, edited by John Joseph Adams and published by Tor Books in 2013, presents varied takes on the classic mad scientist archetype. The stories range from traditional laboratory scenarios to unexpected settings and formats, including lists, letters, and business plans. Contributors include well-known writers like Diana Gabaldon, Harry Turtledove, and Naomi Novik, each bringing their distinct style to the mad scientist premise. Some stories focus on the scientists themselves, while others explore their impact on family members, assistants, and society at large. The collection incorporates elements of humor, horror, and alternative history across its diverse narratives. The anthology examines deeper themes about power, ambition, and the ethical implications of scientific advancement, while maintaining the entertainment value inherent in the mad scientist trope.

Readers describe this anthology as uneven, with strong stories mixed among weaker ones. The standout stories according to reviews are Jim Butcher's "Cursing the Dark," Seanan McGuire's "Ancient Ways," and David Farland's "Blood and Doom." Liked: - Fresh takes on mad scientist tropes - Humor in several stories - Mix of established and newer authors - Stories that subvert villain stereotypes Disliked: - Inconsistent quality between stories - Some entries feel rushed or underdeveloped - A few stories rely too heavily on common tropes - Several readers note the collection starts strong but loses momentum Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (50+ reviews) Multiple reviewers mention the anthology works best when read in small doses rather than straight through. One frequent comment is that while individual stories may disappoint, the collection's variety means most readers find at least 3-4 stories they enjoy.

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks Chronicles a child prodigy's journey through a school for criminal masterminds, exploring themes of science, power, and moral choices.

Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Urbervilles by Kim Newman Presents interconnected stories from Sherlock Holmes' nemesis Moriarty's perspective, blending Victorian science with criminal schemes.

Supervillainy and Other Poor Career Choices by J.R. Grey Collects stories about the support staff and minions who work for supervillains and mad scientists.

Dr. Dimension by John DeChancie Follows a collection of parallel universe scientists whose experiments create chaos across multiple dimensions.

The Plutonium Blonde by John Zakour Centers on a detective investigating crimes in a future world populated by mad scientists and their creations.

🧬 John Joseph Adams has edited over 30 science fiction and fantasy anthologies, earning him the nickname "The Reigning King of the Anthology" in publishing circles. 🔬 The term "mad scientist" was popularized in the 19th century, largely influenced by Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" (1818), which established many tropes still used in the genre today. ⚡ Contributor Diana Gabaldon is best known for her "Outlander" series, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and combines historical fiction with science fiction elements. 🧪 The anthology draws inspiration from real historical figures like Nikola Tesla, whose eccentric behavior and ambitious inventions helped shape the modern mad scientist archetype. 🔭 Harry Turtledove, one of the anthology's contributors, holds a Ph.D. in Byzantine history and is renowned for writing alternate history narratives that blend historical fact with speculative fiction.