An excellent collection. The introduction by John J. Pierce points out that Leinster (a pseudonym, real name William F. Jenkins) is known as the Dean Of Science Fiction. Having started in 1919 or so, and then winning an award 40 years later, is an impressive effort - so is a collection from so early that averages 3.62, with a variety of themes and styles. This is without Exploration Team/Combat Team, too! He could be serious, or funny, and apparently has lots of work in other genres - so rather more talented than your average writer of the time, it would appear.

SF fans that haven't had a look at Leinster, particularly if interested in the history could give this one a go. Some of the stories you will find online thanks to Baen, too, so another way to check them out. Also some work at Gutenberg.

Best of Murray Leinster : Sidewise in Time - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : Proxima Centauri - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : The Fourth-Dimensional Demonstrator - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : First Contact - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : The Ethical Equations - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : Pipeline to Pluto - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : The Power - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : A Logic Named Joe - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : Symbiosis - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : The Strange Case of John Kingman - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : The Lonely Planet - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : Keyhole - Murray Leinster
Best of Murray Leinster : Critical Difference - Murray Leinster

Faults in the universe, lots of, means we got large chunks of the alternate thing visiting. Anyone want to be emperor of one?

3.5 out of 5

Vegie men seek animal matter gold.

3.5 out of 5

Kangaroo multiple mishap.

3.5 out of 5

Conflict avoidance transport swap.

4.5 out of 5

Conduct probability Space Patrol.

3 out of 5

Too cold, too fast to die.

3.5 out of 5

Just an alien, not a demon or wizard.

4 out of 5

These machines are after me.

4 out of 5

A bit of biological war.

3 out of 5

Alien longtime patient dumbing down.

3.5 out of 5

Living and smart, too.

4 out of 5

Moon traitor nursery surprise.

3.5 out of 5

Cold, need BIG power.

3.5 out of 5

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/09... ( )

I must admit that I came to this with moderately low expectations--thinking of Murray as solidly in the dated, pulp scifi mode. The stories generally proved to be quite a bit better than I expected--all based on compelling ideas, often interlaced with very funny humor, and at times emotionally powerful as well.

Many of these ("Sideways in Time," "First Contact," and "A Logic Named Joe" in particular) were groundbreaking stories that defined subgenres for generations of writers to come. While some of the stories are dated, they have aged reasonably well. "A Logic Named Joe" probably rings truer in today's "wired" era than when it was first written. "The Fourth-dimensional Demonstrator," with a bit of updating, would make for very funny contemporary story.

The stories generally display a great sense of optimism about individuals and a great sense of pessimism about mankind as a whole. And when the stories are sexist, they are so in a funny, humble way (in many cases, the women really run the show, despite appearances). My favorites were "The Fourth-dimensional Demonstrator," "The Power," and "Critical Difference." ( )