The Nature Of Man. Since the days of Pinocchio, inanimate devices seem mesmerized by Man and obsessed with trying to discover the answer to what it is and what it means to be human.

This quirky yet wonderful novelette, written by Roger Zelazny in 1966, illustrates the frustratingly perplex struggle to correlate genius with folly, strength with frailty, and all the promise and pratfalls of what it means to be Man! (*)

Story Synopsis:

Long after the Last Man had perished from existence, the Earth is faithfully maintained by armies of robotized machines and computers dedicated to the rebuilding program initiated by humans before their demise.

Solcom orbits the Earth directing the effort .To aid him in this task, Solcom builds a super computer called Frost to rule the Northern Hemisphere and one called Beta to rule the Southern Hemisphere,

As a backup system, Man had created an Alternate to Solcom : Divcom. Divcom is activated prematurely and they have a constant battle to assert their claim to be the dominant force.

With no Man in existence to make the determination, Solcom and Divcom spend eons destroying each others’ rebuilding attempts.

Frost, having time and unused resources at his disposal, becomes interested in Man after unearthing some artifacts of this now extinct creature. Frost’s curiosity grows into a frantic obsession as his research produces more questions than answers.

In a parallel to God and Satan discussing Job, Solcom and Divcom make a deal between themselves based on the outcome of Frost’s insatiable desire to discern the Nature of Man.

(*) (If it’s any consolation, my dear Frost, we humans have pondered these very questions throughout our existence as well and have come away with pitifully few results.)

The Good:

• Very well written and does not suffer in the least for having no PEOPLE in the story.
• Provides us with a long hard look from the outside in, as it were, of ourselves.
• Suspenseful.

The Bad:

• Little action here and not a very complex topic.(**)
• The ending is a little corny but still a very enjoyable story.

This & That:

• Word count 11,249
• Page Count 28
• Similar Story: If you liked "For a Breath I Tarry" you’ll love “The Bicentennial Man” by Isaac Asimov!

Can be found here:

• The Last Defender of Camelot
• Science Fiction: A Historical Anthology
• You can read it free online here.

(**) This is the toughest part of doing these reviews…finding something negative to say! I agree with Rusty in his purpose for this site – namely ONLY THE GOOD STUFF! (I’m paraphrasing of course).

With very few exceptions, the only SF I read are short story anthologies and the only way I would review one here is if I feel it is one of the Best of The Best in the FIRST PLACE!

Chocoholic

Yes, I admit it – I am very nearly addicted to chocolate. It’s funny because I can resist pretty much all kinds of sweets… but put something chocolatey in front of me and my resolve weakens by the second! Mmm, mmm, mmm! Oh well, it is good to know that this delightful substance tempts not only Earthlings but people on other planets as well!

Non-Spoiler Summary

Romee is an inhabitant of the planet Notcid. It is a pretty easy going place, but now that the “traders” have been replaced by more concerned Earth people she is having difficulty purchasing her favorite Earth food: chocolate. So when she is given the chance to participate in a study on “response to environmental stimuli” she literally jumps at the chance – especially since she will make a load of money for doing it. The study turns out to be a little bit scary and frustrating, but her experience with it proves to be invaluable after she learns to apply it in truly dangerous situations. Now if she can just teach the others to learn these new ways they will have chocolate galore! Yum!

Some Interesting Tidbits

• Word count: 6,857 (14 pages)
• Did you know that in the early 1970s Howard L. Myers was poised to become “one of science fiction’s top authors” when he suddenly died at the age of 41? Yep. You can learn more about this fantastic, yet nearly forgotten, author in the Preface to his book.
• Special thanks to Variety SF for pointing out this great story!

Where To Find Health Hazard

• This short story first appeared in the January 1973 edition of Analog Science Fiction / Science Fact – over a year after the author’s death.
• You can read "Health Hazard" for free online at The Fifth Imperium.
• It is also included in the book of Howard L. Myers short stories The Creatures of Man.

Craving More SF Stories Like This One?

If you liked "Health Hazard" then you may also enjoy “Finisterra” by David Moles – about an engineer from Earth who contracts out to help poachers on a distant world make their biggest kill yet.

Definitely from 1953!

Ok, there are some strange parts in this story which definitely give away its age. The parts about not knowing what would happen to men psychologically as they journey into space, or how computers can’t think for themselves but only follow directions, and especially how a man tries to spank his younger female assistant! Anyway, all this quirkiness aside, it turned out to be a pretty cool story. Just hang in there because the ending is really cool!

Non-Spoiler Summary

Ever since the war, when Knight served under his childhood friend Captain Cullin, the two have not gotten along. A big reason for the rift is that Cullin believes men are better soldiers when they obey orders absolutely and show no initiative for themselves. Knight disagrees, and after he is out of the military he goes to work on the smartest computer in the world. Well, guess who thinks that it would make a pretty darn good soldier? Yep, Captain Cullin – who is so obsessed with the fact that he makes some very drastic choices to secure the perfect soldier. But will he change his mind when he sees the end results? Perhaps.

Some Interesting Tidbits

• Word count: 21,682 (47 pages)
• Author Tom Godwin wrote a bunch of science fiction stories and novels during the 1950s and 1960s. You can learn more about this author at Wikipedia.

Where To Find The Gulf Between

• This story first appeared in the October 1953 edition of Astounding Science Fiction.
• You can read "The Gulf Between" for free online at Webscription.
• It is also included in the excellent Baen collection The Cold Equations.

Craving More SF Stories Like This One?

If you liked "The Gulf Between" then be sure to check out Tom Godwin’s ultra-famous story “The Cold Equations” – about a pilot who finds a stowaway girl on his Emergency Dispatch Ship.

Non-Spoiler Summary

Jon Hall is a wanted man. He and his 19 brothers were very effective soldiers in the war on the planet Grismet, but now that the war is over they are being hunted down because they are so dangerous. Jon’s space flight to Earth is being followed by Tom Jordan, an agent of the Commission who is certain that Jon’s unique characteristics will give him away – things like his extraordinary mass, radiation signature and the fact that he stutters. Jon is off to a good start on Earth, but the more he interacts with people the more suspicious they become. Will he be able to express his message of innocence to the people of Earth, or will they clamor for his death – regardless of how cruel it is? One little Earth boy holds the answer to that question, and the end results are quite amazing.

Tidbits About This Story

• Word count: 9,991 (20 pages)
• I couldn’t find much information about author R. R. Merliss – do any of you know anything about him?
• Special thanks to Variety SF for recommending this story!

Where To Find The Stutterer

• This story first appeared in the April 1955 edition of Astounding Science Fiction.
• You can read "The Stutterer" online for free at Project Gutenberg.
• It is also included in the 2011 anthology Robot Tales: Eleven Short Science Fiction Stories About Robots

Craving More SF Stories Like This One?

If you liked "The Stutterer" then you might also enjoy “Scanners Live in Vain” by Cordwainer Smith – about a sensory deprived man who tries to stop his Scanner brothers from killing a human who has just made a great scientific breakthrough.

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

Harry Morgan and Jack Latrobe have worked together as asteroid miners for a long time. It is a brutal and unforgiving job, but one which the citizens of the Belt Cities rely on to get their oxygen. The two men have become friends and learned to trust each other. So it is no surprise that when Jack goes missing on a trip to Earth that Harry wants to find out what happened to him. As Harry travels there he begins to unravel a deep corporate desire – but more importantly the big wigs on Earth begin to learn a few dark secrets about the citizens of the asteroid belt too! Mwa ha ha ha!

Interesting Tidbits:

• Word Count: 9,767 (22 pages)
• Did you know that in 1999 Randall Garrett won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History Special Achievement for his Lord Darcy series? Yep. You can learn more about this fascinating author at Wikipedia.
• Special thanks to Variety SF for reviewing this excellent short story and making me want to read it!

Where You Can Find Thin Edge:

• This story was originally published in the December 1963 issue of Analog Science Fact -> Science Fiction.
• You can read (or download) a free version of “Thin Edge” at Project Gutenberg.
• It is also included in the book The Second Science Fiction Megapack: 25 Modern and Classic Tales by Masters.

If you liked “Thin Edge” then you may also be enjoy “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick – about a man who desperately wants to go to Mars but can’t afford it, so he gets vacation memories implanted instead.

"The Land Ironclads" is a 1903 science fiction short story by H. G. Wells. It is an eerily prophetic story about a war correspondent and a soldier in a fictitious battle between “townsmen” and “countrymen”. What’s the catch? While one side has the brawn, the other may have the brains to turn the tide of the war forever.

H. G. Wells: Master Oracle of Future Science:

Even though we don’t have time machines and anti-gravity units yet, Wells certainly was a pioneer of these now almost ubiquitous concepts in science fiction. But what actual science did he predict? The military now uses heat emitting microwave rays for riot control. We live in a wirelessly connected world not so different from his utopian novel, Men Like Gods. He even described in great detail automatically sliding doors, escalators and airport people movers before the turn of the 20th century – a true visionary.

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell:

A news reporter is on assignment at the front. He’s thrust into the heart of battle with his only source being a war-weary soldier with a very cynical attitude towards the whole ordeal. Can they survive the onslaught, dug in and entrenched, and ready to once again put up a staunch defense? Or does the opposition have a secret weapon that will finally put an end to the bloody stalemate?

Interesting Tidbits:

• Word Count: 8,690 (16 pages)
• Did you know that military officers frequently read The Strand Magazine and might have picked up a few pointers on trench warfare tactics from reading this story?

Where You Can Find The Land Ironclads:

• Originally published in the December 1903 issue of The Strand Magazine.
• You can read (or download) a free version of "The Land Ironclads" at The Scrapboard.
• It is also included in his many short story collections.

More About the Contributor, Slava Heretz:

• Slava Heretz writes science fiction and is the author of The Outer Pendulum, a serialized space opera: Amazon.com.
• Slava also posts free weekly flash fiction on his website: www.slavaheretz.com

Only A Little Bit Outdated!

I get a kick out of reading older science fiction stories like this one. It is fun to see the possibilities that are imagined for our solar system – even if we know better today. There were a few parts in this story that I was like “What?” – and then I remembered that is was written almost 80 years ago, so I just relaxed and went with the flow. It was much more fun that way!

Non-spoiler Summary in a Nutshell

The great thirty-fourth century astronomer Phobar has made a disconcerting discovery: he has found several new stars in the past week, and each of them is getting closer and closer to Earth! It doesn’t take him very long to figure out that something is on its way to visit our planet. As this object gets closer it begins to disrupt the orbits of the outer planets, and even affects the sun. Something needs to be done, and when Phobar is given an amazing but short opportunity he definitely makes the most of it. But will it be enough against such a powerful foe?

Interesting Tidbits:

• Word Count: 8,030 (16 pages)
• Did you know that Donald A. Wandrei was a friend and protege of the famous author H. P. Lovecraft? Yep. You can learn more about this accomplished write at Wikipedia.
• Special thanks to QuasarDragon for pointing me towards this fun story.

Where You Can Find Raiders of the Universes:

• This story was originally published in the September 1932 issue of Astounding Stories.
• You can read (or download) a free version of “Raiders of the Universes” at Project Gutenberg.
• It is also included in the book Colossus: The Collected Science Fiction of Donald Wandrei.

If you liked “Raiders of the Universes” then you may also be interested in “The Colour Out Of Space” by H.P. Lovecraft – about a meteorite that falls from the sky in the 1880′s and the devastating consequences it has upon the people in a rural New England town.

Non-Spoiler Summary

Mary is a typical teenaged girl, but she is quickly approaching the time when she will get “the Transformation” that will make her beautiful and perfect in every way – you know, just like everyone else. There is a little problem though, Mary doesn’t want to do it. What?! That’s right, she is the only person who has ever refused to get the Transformation. And what is her reasoning you may ask? Simple: she likes herself as she is. Well, all the beautiful people of the society just can’t fathom that someone would want to stay natural and imperfect, so they make a big stink about it. They are using every tool available to them – including legal ones – to force her to go through with it. Will Mary do it? Or will she be allowed to keep her natural looks?

Some Juicy Tidbits About This Story

• Word count: 5,590 (16 pages)
• Did you know that Charles Beaumont was the writer of several classic Twilight Zone episodes? Yep. Learn more about this fascinating author at Wikipedia.
• Special thanks to QuasarDragon for pointing me towards this great story.

Where To Find The Beautiful People

• This short story first appeared in the September 1952 issue of If Worlds of Science Fiction.
• You can download or read "The Beautiful People" online for free courtesy of the good people over at Project Gutenberg.
• It is also included in the collection Twilight Zone: The Original Stories.

Craving More SF Stories Like This One?

If you liked "The Beautiful People" then you might also enjoy “Thy Name Is Woman” by Bryce Walton – about a man who travels to Mars to find out why all of Earth’s women moved there.

YOU KNOW THE STORY

If you have ever watched cartoons, then you have seen the story of Jekyll and Hyde. You know: A kind, refined gentleman that is pleasant as can be, who suddenly turns into a big ugly brute that goes around making everyone miserable. It’s amazing that a story can become a part of culture. Even people who haven’t read the story know the story. Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale has been adapted into dozens of movies, broadway musicals, comic books, and even has songs written about it and bands named after it! Now THAT is some memorable writing!

So, I’m a little ashamed to admit that I am one of those who have never read the story! I’ve been in the mood for a good Halloween read, and this one hit the spot.

NON SPOILER SUMMARY

Dr. Jekyll is a brilliant doctor who invents a potion that divides his personality. Oops!… I gave away the ending. The ACTUAL story is an account of events that lead up to Dr. Jekyll’s confession. Yeah, the tale we all know so well from Bugs Bunny cartoons… that all comes from the last 3 pages. That surprised me. But I found the story all the more intriguing by following the mysterious events that lead up to the final pages.

MY THOUGHTS

• I’ve always thought Jekyll & Hyde were symbols of good and evil. Not so. Jekyll was a man like all of us. Good and evil both resided in him. Hyde however, was pure evil. There was no personality of only good in this story. And I found that fascinating.
• Mr. Hyde, being the dark and sinister personality, thrived in indulging his every desire. He had no guilt. He had no restraint. He was gleeful in his wrongdoings. Ahhh… how would it be to not have a conscience? (Yes, I do realize the world would spiral out of control. But it must feel good don’t you think? To have no guilt?)
• I also found it fascinating how Mr. Hyde eventually overcame Dr. Jekyll. The evil personality was being exercised so frequently that it titled the scales. He had no good to balance himself… reinforcing the age old saying: “Moderation in all things.”
• I loved the visual and physical traits that were attributed to good and evil. Dr. Jekyll was a handsome, tall, thin man. He was distinguished, respected, and had good taste and many friends. Mr. Hyde was short, squat, hunch-backed, ugly, and people did not like to be in his presence. I find it interesting that we so readily judge what is good and what is evil simply by appearance. (I do it to books all the time.)

INTERESTING TIDBITS

• Page Count: 78
• Published: 1886
• Robert Louis Stevenson is also the author of Treasure Island, which he was inspired to write after making a treasure map for fun with his stepson. Read more about this famous author at Wikipedia.

WHERE TO FIND THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE

• You can read it for free at University of Virginia Library.
• I purchased the book at Amazon.com.

Doctor Hugo Pinero invents a device for measuring the length of life and predicting the date and time of death. This leads to the protests of insurance companies and the potential collapse of the industry, not to mention many personal concerns, and the dilemma of a humanity confronted with knowledge that they perhaps should not have.

The good: Pinero’s devise is unlike anything I’ve seen in any other SF story. It is a fascinating riff on a theme usually reserved for psychics and mediums.

The bad: Unfortunately, the story has rather flat characters. Most of them become symbols of a particular viewpoint instead of fully integrated personalities with interests outside the story line.

The interesting: The society reflects Heinlein’s own Kansas City of his younger days. It hearkens back to a reality that, truthfully, most of us would be just as happy without, an alternative to the golden-age view of the early 1900s.

"Life-line" is Heinlein’s first published story. This and the next two stories in the Future History are firmly set in the sociology of the 1940s. The heavy-handed, goon-squad politics countered by simplistic hucksteristic charm are from a less complicated era. The courtroom antics are reminiscent of tales from the Scopes Monkey Trial. The ruling is obviously that of a judge not beleaguered by unreasonable precedents. He is a stock RAH character, the cantankerous Mark Twainesque voice of wry, stubborn wisdom. Heinlein expresses his free-trade ideals with the moral triumph of his protagonist. It would be interesting to know what kind of protectionist legal decisions had been made that RAH is railing against. The importance of his viewpoint is underscored by the fact that Pinero is the only real character in the story. The other characters are almost silhouettes, props.

Pinero’s conflict with his relatives and his compassion on the young couple who go to him for a reading put his character in the third dimension. He is not a simple opportunist or a cold scientist. He is a man in charge of his own will and aware of the down side of his invention. His ultimate calm paints an interesting picture for Heinlein. Lazarus Long certainly doesn’t have this attitude… not when he’s in a good mood.

"Life-line" bears none of the polish of Heinlein’s later work. It lacks the complex characterization that makes for excellent story telling. However, it does bear the marks of RAH’s later tropes, a tantalizing inhale before a significant breath.

"Life-line" is available free on-line from the publisher as part of Heinlein’s eclectic collection Expanded Universe. Baen Books has graciously also restored the story to its original collection The Man Who Sold The Moon, from which it had been removed for reasons that seem to escape analysts. It seems likely that it was removed to make the book shorter and cheaper to publish, but it is back (though not in RAH’s recommended order), and Baen can be given much credit for that.

Thanks to Tim for this providing this article. You can read more of Tim’s stuff on his blog: The Darling Virtual Mind.