Literature / Isaac Asimov Presents: The Great Science Fiction Stories, Volume 13 (1951)

First published in 1985 by editors Isaac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg. This Genre Anthology contains fifteen Science Fiction stories that were first published in 1951, ranging in length from Short Story to Novelette. The introduction describes "the world outside reality" first, marking significant historical events, sports trivia, and literary publications. The "real world" is science fiction and fantasy pop culture.

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Works in this anthology:

• "Null-P", by William Tenn
• "The Sentinel", by Arthur C. Clarke
• "The Fire Balloons", by Ray Bradbury
• "The Marching Morons", by Cyril M. Kornbluth
• "The Weapon", by Fredric Brown
• "Angels Egg", by Edgar Pangborn
• "Breeds There a Man...?", by Isaac Asimov
• "Pictures Dont Lie", by Katherine Mac Lean
• "Superiority", by Arthur C. Clarke
• "Im Scared", by Jack Finney
• "The Quest For Saint Aquin", by Anthony Boucher
• "Tiger By The Tail", by Alan E Nourse
• "With These Hands", by Cyril M. Kornbluth
• "A Pail Of Air", by Fritz Leiber
• "Dune Roller", by Julian May

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Isaac Asimov Presents: The Great Science Fiction Stories, Volume 13 (1951) provides examples of:

• Ambiguous Innocence: Ray Bradbury's "The Fire Balloons": Bradbury explored the idea of an entire species of innocents, by using a human missionary who wants to save the Martians' souls. He eventually discovers that their souls do not need saving. This is not presented as making the Martians bad so much as making humanity tragic because we are comparatively destined to sinfulness.
• Biography: Each story is prefaced by a short description of why this story (from this author) was chosen to represent one of the fifteen best stories of the year along with a paragraph from Isaac Asimov's perspective.
• Endless Winter: Fritz Leiber's "A Pail Of Air": The Earth is ripped away from the Sun by a passing black hole. As a result of losing the heat from the Sun, the Earth has gotten so cold that the atmosphere has frozen.
• Fishbowl Helmet: Fritz Leiber's "A Pail Of Air": A lot of survival equipment had to be made out of whatever was available. The EVA suits' headpieces used to be "big double-duty transparent food cans".
• Furry Reminder: William Tenn's "Null-P": Once the Earth is taken over by sentient dogs, the only surviving humans are pets maintained for the purpose of throwing sticks.
• Non-Malicious Monster: Julian May's "Dune Roller": Long ago, the titular monster crashed to Earth, with many small parts of itself (its "children") being widely scattered. It doesn't go out of its way to harm other creatures, but if you get in its way when it tries to reabsorb its children, it will go Mama Bear on you.
• One-Word Title: "Superiority", by Arthur C. Clarke
• Ridiculously Average Guy: William Tenn's "Null-P": Characters discover that George Abnego happens to be statistically average in every way. This makes him a celebrity of sorts, and he ends up becoming President because of it.
• Shout-Out: In the introduction, multiple works are mentioned as being first published or becoming hits in 1951:
  • Abbot And Costello Meet The Invisible Man
  • The African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn
  • An American in Paris, starring Gene Kelly
  • Avon Science Fiction Reader launched, edited by Donald A Wollheim
  • Between Planets, by Robert A. Heinlein
  • "Beyond Bedlam", by Wyman Guin, would've been included as an example of the best Science Fiction stories published this year, but was too long.
  • Mel Brooks is singled out as (probably) still using the name Melvin Kaminsky.
  • The Caine Mutiny, by Herman Wouk
  • The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger, is mentioned for being highly controversial, and even banned in certain cities.
  • "Christ Of St John Of The Cross", by Salvador Dalí
  • ''City At Worlds End, by Edmond Hamilton
  • "Come Ona My House"
  • "Cry", by Johnny Ray
  • The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham
  • The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
  • The Disappearance, by Philip Wylie
  • "The Fireman", by Ray Bradbury, would've been included as an example of the best Science Fiction stories published this year, but was too long.
  • Five
  • Flight To Mars
  • From Here to Eternity, by James Jones
  • "Getting To Know You"
  • "Hello Young Lovers"
  • The King and I, by Rodgers and Hammerstein
  • "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"
  • Lost Continent
  • The Man From Planet X
  • The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
  • Le Plaisir, directed by Max Ophul
  • Rogue Queen, by L. Sprague de Camp
  • The Rose Tattoo, written by Tennessee Williams

  • The Sands Of Mars, by Arthur C. Clarke
  • A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Marlon Brando
  • Strangers on a Train, directed by Alfred Hitchcock
  • "Shrimp Boats"
  • Shadow Over Mars, by Leigh Brackett
  • Seetee Ship, by Jack Williamson
  • The Stars, Like Dust, by Isaac Asimov
  • Super Science Stories collapsed
  • Science Fiction Quarterly collapsed
  • The Thing from Another World
  • Time and Again, by Clifford Simak
  • Viva Zapata!, directed by Elia Kazan
  • The Weapon Shops Of Isher, by A.E. van Vogt
  • When Worlds Collide
  • Worlds Beyond collapsed
• Tall Poppy Syndrome: William Tenn's "Null-P": A future society so afraid of individual variation that all rewards (e.g. scholarships or public office) are given to those whose performance is closest to the exact average of their group, culminating in a Ridiculously Average Guy becoming President.
• Twist Ending: Arthur C. Clarke's "Superiority": The twist isn't anything to do with the technology involved, but that the narrator has been forced to share a prison cell with the man responsible for the downfall of their nation.

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