Prentice Hall Anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy, The

Rating:
Summary: as workable an SF/F anthology as we're likely to get
Review: As the editor notes, one could argue endlessly about precisely what stories to include in an SF/F anthology, and in such an argument I would doubtless have chosen several different stories than he has. However, I also would have chosen many of the *same* stories he has, and perhaps that's a primary reason that I like this book. It's reasonably well-rounded, effectively organized, and includes a wide selection of stories while avoiding the trap that so many other literary anthologies fall into, that of trying to please so many different tastes that ultimately no one is satisfied.

The critical apparatus in the book is mercifully minimal, given that I found many of the editor's critical conclusions very questionable (for example, that _Star Wars_ is a film version of Edgar Rice Burrough's _A Princess of Mars_.)

On the whole, this is an extremely useful volume (if rather pricey) well suited for use in a class on fantastic literature or simply for pleasure reading.

Rating:
Summary: so many stories, so little time
Review: i came across this book in my hs sci fi english class and it was definately the best book i ever came across in school. the stories are seperated by type, starting with classic archeotypes and includes high fantasy and other categories i cant remember. it was the only book i leisurely read outside of school and i had trouble parting with it at the end of the semester. it is also one of the only books that i would pay $70 for.