The Best of L. Sprague de Camp

by L. Sprague de Camp

Book Overview

"Triumphant collection from SF's best-educated humanist."-The Washington Post A science fiction collection by one of the all-time greats of science fiction, L. Sprague de Camp. These stories and poems... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000BN65FA
• Release Date: February 1978
• Publisher: Nelson Doubleday / SFBC
• Length: 301 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Not Free SF Reader

A close to good collection at 3.46. There's also an essay on language and the possible changes during time travel, so call this book a 3.75 rounded up. A mix of SF and fantasy, with de Camp's fantasy stories being quite funny, in general. Best of L Sprague de Camp : Hyperpilosity - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Command - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Merman - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : Employment - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Gnarly Man - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : Nothing in the Rules - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Hardwood Pile - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Reluctant Shaman - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Inspector's Teeth - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Guided Man - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : Judgement Day - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : A Gun for Dinosaur - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : The Emperor's Fan - L. Sprague de Camp Best of L Sprague de Camp : Two Yards of Dragon - L. Sprague de Camp Hairy virus cure, no thanks. 3.5 out of 5 Don't mess with smarter than the average bear. 3 out of 5 Water breathing research. 3 out of 5 Reification tour. 3.5 out of 5 Neanderthal lightning strikee holds his age like Vandal Savage. 3.5 out of 5 Mermaid ring-in doesn't quite make the seal of sobriety. 4 out of 5 Nymph homewrecker. 3 out of 5 Bit of a sp00k show. 3 out of 5 Interstellar fraternity. 3 out of 5 Switch game. 3 out of 5 Iron reaction bullyboy global blowup. 4.5 out of 5 Big barrels need big men. Presuming you don't want a Tyrannosaur to eat you. 4 out of 5 A55a55in fear dragon demise. 3.5 out of 5 Draco travel inspiration. 3 out of 5

A collection of unique stories

L. Sprague de Campe has some of the most unique ideas that I have ever run across. In this colection you will find eighteen stories illustrating the strongests points about short stories: good characterization and story without a lot of boring, mouthy filler (too many authors seem to get paid by the word rather than the quality of the story). You will find out what happens if everyone suddenly grew hair like a cat or dog; or what an immortal apeman might think like; or how gunpowder might affect a knight in the age of dragons; or why a magic fan can create havoc in an ancient court. de Campe's stories take place in a wide variety of places and ages, illustrating the versatility of his thought. If you've read any of his other stories, you will find vague or outright connections to his other works in some of these stories.