Far Horizons (1999)

Overall - I greatly enjoyed this collection.

I particularly liked that the stories were written from within already existing series' and it gave me a wonderful taste of a number of books and authors that I now wish too look up. It also showed me some that I expected to be a certain way that I am glad I now know otherwise ...
I highly recomend this anthology.

To do it justice, I intend on briefly touching on each story

"Old music and the Slave women"
by
Ursula K. Le Guin
from "The Ekumen" series
I have at times toyed with picking up one or the other of these books.
To be honest, now I am glad I didn't
Not because it appears to be poorly written, I did enjoy the short story and author's style. But I find the political intrigue type of story, just not really my taste.

"A Separate War"
by
Joe Haldeman
from the
"Forever War" series

This story intrigued me, Joe had a fascinating take on the reletivity effect on space travel, and a quite refreshing view on how cutures may change over hundreds or thousands of years, and what it may look like to mash them together in the same room. I definately will pick up the trilogy if I get the chance.

"Investment Councillor"
by
Orson Scott Card
from the "Ender" series
Who would have thought a story about a guy paying his taxes on arrival at a port could be so damn engaging?
Definatley a big thumbs up here
I have seen the Ender series in stores before but was not sure - now I am!!

"Temptation"
by
David Brin
from "The Uplift Universe"

While well written and very engaging, The premise of the universe grates against me in a most umpleasant way. the assumption of a direction of evolution and that humans are 'more evolved' than other species on the planet is something I simply cannot and will not swallow, even for a sci-fi story

"Getting to know The Dragon"
by
Robert Silverberg
from "Roma Eterna" series

I was utterly intrigued by the concept of this series
While not set specificlaly in the future, it's an alternate history type story.
What if there was no Jesus of Nazareth?
What if the roman empire never fell?

While it seems quite political, I think this is a series that I would find great interest in. And as always, Robert Silverberg's writing is a delight to read.

"Orphans of the Helix"
by
Dan Simmons
from "The Hyperion Cantos"

I found this a fascinating story, and it definately engaged me to read the series.
A story rich in detail and revelation. Graphically portrays how simple commnication method missmatch could wipe out entire civilisations.

"The Boy Who Would Live Forever"
by
Frederik Pohl
from "Tales of the HeeChee"

Making a solid argument for gritty slum living in the space-faring future. While I found the short story entertaining. I'm really not certain if the series would fit my tastes. I'll wait on this one I think.

"A Hunger for the Infinite"
by
Gregory Bedford
from "The Galactic Centre Series"

A tale of self sacrifice set in brutal violence. And the machines cannot understand life.
An interesting tale well told. But not my taste.

"The Ship Who Returned"
by
Anne McCaffrey
from "The Ship Who Sang"

I remember reading The Ship Who Sang, I loved it, it got me started on Anne McCaffrey. The Ship Who Returned is a short story that takes place after these events - and is everything you have come to expect from Anne McCaffrey.
A definate must read.

"The Way of All Ghosts"
by
Greg Bear
from the Eon series

I remember having read and enjoyed Eon when I was much younger. The reading of this changed my view somewhat
I still want to re-purchase and re-read and read the rest, but there seems to be a lot of abstract ephemeral conceptual storyline that I can't seem to get a grip on. ( )

A decent collection of stories from previously written about universes. How much you ike them will be somewhat related to how you like the originals, if you have come across them before. The story average is 3.41.

Far Horizons : Old Music and the Slave Women [Ekumen] - Ursula K. Le Guin
Far Horizons : A Separate War [Forever War] - Joe Haldeman
Far Horizons : Investment Counselor [Ender Wiggin] - Orson Scott Card
Far Horizons : Temptation [Uplift] - David Brin
Far Horizons : Getting to Know the Dragon [Roma Eterna] - Robert Silverberg
Far Horizons : Orphans of the Helix [Hyperion Cantos] - Dan Simmons
Far Horizons : Sleeping Dogs [Sleepless] - Nancy Kress
Far Horizons : The Boy Who Would Live Forever [Heechee (Robinette Broadhead)] - Frederik Pohl
Far Horizons : A Hunger for the Infinite [Galactic Center] - Gregory Benford
Far Horizons : The Ship That Returned [Helva] - Anne McCaffrey
Far Horizons : The Way of All Ghosts: A Myth from Thistledown [Way] - Greg Bear

Race war communications.

3 out of 5

War waiting, bi the way.

4 out of 5

AI accountants are cool.

4 out of 5

Dolphin escape and magic time diaspora subservience scheme rejection.

3.5 out of 5

Imperial travel brutality.

3 out of 5

Hyperion kid and Shrike buddy pay a visit for some teleporting fun.

3.5 out of 5

Dog dreaming denial dangerous.

4 out of 5

Gateway ship, black hole timeslip.

3.5 out of 5

Collecting horror.

3 out of 5

Prosthetic palsy.

3 out of 5

Had enough.

3 out of 5

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/08/far-horizons-robert-silverberg.html ( )

A wonderful collection of stories from superb writers. Well worth reading.