The Science Fiction Century

The Science Fiction Century is a comprehensive anthology of science fiction short stories compiled by editor David G. Hartwell. Published in 1997, it contains 45 stories that span from the early 1900s through the 1990s. The collection features works from established sci-fi authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, alongside pieces from writers not typically associated with the genre, such as Jack London and E.M. Forster. Each story includes a brief introduction by Hartwell that provides context about the author and the work's significance. The anthology covers major science fiction themes including space exploration, time travel, artificial intelligence, and first contact with alien species. Stories range from hard science fiction focused on technical details to social science fiction examining human nature and society. The book serves as both a historical record of science fiction's evolution and a demonstration of how the genre has addressed changing technological and social concerns throughout the 20th century. Through its diverse selection, it reveals science fiction's capacity to explore fundamental questions about humanity's place in the universe.

Readers describe this anthology as comprehensive but uneven in quality. Many note it provides broad coverage of 20th century sci-fi beyond just the famous authors. Readers appreciated: - Mix of well-known and obscure stories - Strong representation of female authors - Detailed author introductions - Stories arranged by theme rather than chronology Common criticisms: - Too many experimental/avant-garde selections - Some stories feel dated or slow-paced - Length makes it difficult to read straight through - Missing some major sci-fi authors Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (219 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) Multiple readers mentioned the anthology worked better as a reference to sample occasionally rather than reading cover-to-cover. Several praised the inclusion of Cordwainer Smith's "The Game of Rat and Dragon" but questioned the exclusion of Philip K. Dick. Some found the editor's story introductions more engaging than the selections themselves.

The Wesleyan Anthology of Science Fiction by Arthur B. Evans This collection spans the evolution of science fiction from the 1800s through modern times with stories from names like Wells, Asimov, and Le Guin.

The Big Book of Science Fiction by Ann, Jeff VanderMeer The anthology contains 105 stories from international authors across science fiction's history, including works translated to English for the first time.

The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn This six-volume series traces science fiction's development from its earliest roots through the end of the 20th century with representative stories and historical context.

Science Fiction: A Historical Anthology by Eric S. Rabkin The collection presents science fiction stories in chronological order to demonstrate the genre's evolution alongside scientific and cultural developments.

The Norton Book of Science Fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin This compilation focuses on stories from 1960-1990, capturing science fiction's New Wave and its transition into contemporary forms.

🔹 The Science Fiction Century (1997) collected 45 important science fiction stories spanning nearly 100 years, from 1893 to 1990, including works by H.G. Wells, Arthur C. Clarke, and Ursula K. Le Guin. 🔹 Editor David G. Hartwell was a senior editor at Tor Books and edited over 40 anthologies during his career, winning three Hugo Awards and two World Fantasy Awards for his editorial work. 🔹 The anthology uniquely includes stories that weren't originally published as science fiction but helped shape the genre, such as Jack London's "The Red One" from 1918. 🔹 At nearly 1,000 pages long, it was one of the most comprehensive single-volume collections of science fiction stories ever published at the time. 🔹 The book's selections demonstrate how science fiction evolved from early tales of invention and exploration to more complex narratives about technology's impact on human society and consciousness.