Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I've ever bought
Review: OK, I've read most of these stories already. And I already knew that Kornbluth was a great writer. But reading this volume all the way through -- and in pretty short order because I couldn't stop -- just reminded me how great a writer he was.If you have only dim memories of these stories, I guarantee that upon rereading them you'll be amazed at how much *better* they are than you remember. (Not all science fiction of that era holds up so well). If you've never read these stories, prepare to be amazed. This is a book that every lover of science fiction -- or just good writing -- should own, and read.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever bought
Review: OK, I've read most of these stories already. And I already knew that Kornbluth was a great writer. But reading this volume all the way through -- and in pretty short order because I couldn't stop -- just reminded me how great a writer he was. If you have only dim memories of these stories, I guarantee that upon rereading them you'll be amazed at how much *better* they are than you remember. (Not all science fiction of that era holds up so well). If you've never read these stories, prepare to be amazed. This is a book that every lover of science fiction -- or just good writing -- should own, and read.
Rating: 
Summary: One of Sf's great satirists.
Review: Sheckley & Pohl are better known, but he was one of the big science fiction satirists. A little dark for me (there's a myth that 50's s.f. was all bright & happy), but pretty good. If you're depressed about him disappearing from print SAY SOMETHING! I'm not a big Kornbluth fan & I'm the only reviewer. A must have collection for his ,apparently dwindling, fanbase. Strange since he collaborated on a ,somewhat, well reviewed novel like Space Merchants. Since people seem to like there s.f & even fantasy gritty & urban they might like this. (Although he did write other kinds of stuff.) One thing that might turn people off ,including me, is that a sort-of eugenic streak is in some of his stories. The idea that the world will worsen because "the poor ignorants will breed like bunnies, while the elite use birth control" is implied in "the Little Black Bag" & explicit in "the Marching Morons". Oh, well controversy helps some authors & I've actually heard people agree with that view. Try it out, but be prepared.
Rating:
Summary: Best collection ever?
Review: This may be the best collection of stories ever published, science fiction or not. Even anthologies that pluck the classic short stories of an entire decade would have trouble matching the works collected here. Cyril is cynical, at least he appears so, but he was also brilliant and entertaining. There is not a weak story in the collection and many are superb. The work is so good it is difficult to be dispassionately critical rather than gush with praise. We see many of the tropes of science fiction, common then and now used by Kornbluth, however they will appear new and brilliant even to the most well-read and jaded reader. The book may not make you feel good about humanity, but it will make you feel good about buying and reading it. It is one of the most entertaining, well written collections of short fiction I have come across and I am a big fan of short fiction. NESFA has done a huge service by collecting and publishing this volume, as well as other collections. Also pick up "Not this August" by Kornbluth, as well as "The Space Merchants" by Pohl and Kornbluth.
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