When a team of six scientists dock at the remote Heisenberg Space Station they discover that the rodent population has not only multiplied but has become resistant to every known poison! Time to come up with some creative mousetraps… or not.

Read A Better Mousetrap online for free.

The last of the natural humans are gone. Oh sure, there are still some human-technology-cybrid thingies, but they don’t really count… do they?

Read Homo Sapiens Declared Extinct online for free.

Have a great weekend!

I’m A Sucker For Robot Stories

I admit it – ever since reading Isaac Asimov’s Robot novels 20 years ago I have loved robot stories. I especially like stories where the robot is striving to emulate human behavior in some way. From R. Daneel Olivaw to Data on Star Trek, I just can’t resist a good robot story – and “Article of Faith” certainly qualifies as a good robot story!

Are Robots Always Trying To Be More Like Humans?

Jackson is the new robot that cleans the church and tends to its grounds. But he is different than the previous cleaning robots – he is thoughtful and kind and asks some very deep questions concerning the nature of God. At first this is a pleasant surprise for Reverend Morris, who takes advantage of Jackson’s nature to practice his sermons. But as time goes on the Reverend learns that Jackson has bigger plans than just asking questions, and that makes the local congregation quite upset!

My Two Cents…

• I was surprised at how good this story was. I’m not sure why I was surprised, since I like most of Mike Resnick’s stories, but this one really caught me off guard. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about a robot who was interested in the nature of God and faith.
• I also felt a bit of anger by the prejudice displayed in “Article of Faith”. Sure – robot prejudice has been done before, but there was just something about this story that made it seem more wrong than other stories with similar themes.
• Reverend Morris and Jackson were both very deep and interesting characters. I totally enjoyed reading about the conversations they had, and the effects those conversations had upon each of them.

Interesting Tidbits About This Story:

• Page Count: 12
• Word Count: 6,048
• “Article of Faith” was nominated for the 2009 Hugo Award for Best Short Story.
• My Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Where You Can Find “Article of Faith”:

• This story first appeared in the October 2008 edition of Jim Baen’s Universe, where you can still read it online for free.

Craving More Stories?

If you liked this story then you might also enjoy:

• The Dyslexicon by Carl Frederick
• Helen O’Loy by Lester del Rey
• Exhalation by Ted Chiang.

Non-Spoiler Summary In A Nutshell:

Many centuries after the Empire of Man came tumbling down, a group of anthropologist aliens are visiting the birthplace of mankind – Olduvai Gorge in Africa. Each member of the group has one particular scientific specialty, but the narrator – know only as He Who Views – has an extra special function – the ability to morph with an artifact and re-live its story. The group finds seven different objects and consequently learn the fascinating details of each one’s existence. Through He Who Views eyes we are treated to several detailed stories spanning the age of Mankind. We learn about the aliens who visited Earth when man was little more than a violent ape; Mtepwa the slave boy who rose to become head of a great and terrible trading empire; Chelmswood, a guard in the rough shod Leakey museum; Kevin, the Maasai guide leading tourists on big game viewing safaris; Joseph, the man who accepted bribes for a terrible cover up that haunts his soul; and Thomas, the proud man who does not want to leave the land of his fore-fathers for a new planet.

But then, that is why we are here: not to compare similarities, but to study differences. And never was there a race so different from all his fellows as Man. He was extinct barely seventeen millennia after he strode boldly out into the galaxy from this, the planet of his birth—but during that brief interval he wrote a chapter in galactic history that will last forever. He claimed the stars for his own, colonized a million worlds, ruled his empire with an iron will. He gave no quarter during his primacy, and he asked for none during his decline and fall. Even now, some forty-eight centuries after his extinction, his accomplishments and his failures still excite the imagination.

My Two Cents:

• The good:

• Although “Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge” is quite long, each of the chapters (or views) is a totally different story illustrating some fascinating aspect of mankind’s history.
• If you have any interest in anthropology then you will certainly love this part-factual / part-speculative look at one of the galaxy’s most fascinating races. (Um… that would be us.)
• Mike Resnick is a great author and his story telling abilities shine through in this multiple award winning novella.

• The bad:

• There is some strong language and a few adult situations. Probably not a story for young readers.
• Although I found “Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge” fascinating and enjoyable to read, I can see how many people would view it as “anti-mankind” or “ultra-liberal.” I don’t really think it deserves those monikers, but if you consider yourself to be conservative then you should be aware of these themes.

Fact Sheet:
• Page Count: 44
• Word Count: 18,858
• “Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge” garnered the following awards:

• It was the winner of the 1995 Hugo Award and 1995 Nebula Award for Best Novella.
• It also won the 1995 SF Chronicle award, the 1995 HOMer award, the 1994 UPC award (tie) and the 1996 Ignotus award for best foreign short story.
• In addition to all those impressive wins “Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge” was also shortlisted for the 1995 Sturgeon award and placed second in the 1995 Locus poll. (Whew!)

Where you can find “Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge”:

• This novella first appeared in the October / November 1994 issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
• “Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge” is included in Nebula Awards 30: SFWA’s Choices For The Best Science Fiction And Fantasy Of The Year.
• You can read a nice online version of “Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge” at Subterranean Press.

Some Interesting Links:

• Check out the Biology in Science Fiction web site for a unique look at this story and some of the ideas surrounding it.
• Be sure to take a look at Wikipedia to learn more about the real Olduvai Gorge and its important role in human history.

Craving More Stories?
If you enjoyed this story then you might also like The 43 Antarean Dynasties, about a proud tour guide showing three humans the remains of his planet’s once great culture, by Mike Resnick.

Non-Spoiler Summary In A Nutshell:

“Distant Replay” follows Walter Silverman, a man who has just seen a young woman that was in the “spitting image” of Deirdre – his wife who died seven years ago. As he continues to see her around he finally gets the nerve to talk to her and discovers that not only does she look like his deceased wife, but she acts like her as well – including wearing the same type of clothes and perfume and working in the same job! These are just too many coincidences for Walter, and although he can’t pursue her he does come up with a plan that will benefit everyone involved.

The first time I saw her she was jogging in the park. I was sitting on a bench, reading the paper like I do every morning. I didn’t pay much attention to her, except to note the resemblance.

The next time was in the supermarket. I’d stopped by to replenish my supply of instants—coffee, creamer, sweetener—and this time I got a better look at her. At first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. At seventy-six, it wouldn’t be the first time that had happened.

Two nights later I was in Vincenzo’s Ristorante, which has been my favorite Italian joint for maybe forty years—and there she was again. Not only that, but this time she was wearing my favorite blue dress. Oh, the skirt was a little shorter, and there was something different about the sleeves, but it was the dress, all right.

My Two Cents:

• The good:

• Some of the themes this story explores are pretty cool. Like the idea of helping other people re-live your past – kind of nifty, don’t you think?
• Mike Resnick is a great author, and his experience shows when he writes awesome short stories like this one. If you like his other works then you’ll most likely enjoy “Distant Replay” too.

• The bad:

• The science fiction element in this story is very slight. If you’re not one for very soft sci-fi then this may not be your cup of tea.
• Also, this is more of a “cool idea” story – it’s definitely not action packed.

Fact Sheet:
• Page Count: 12
• Word Count: 4,176
• “Distant Replay” garnered the following awards:

• This story has been nominated for the 2008 Hugo Award for Best Short Story.

Where you can find “Distant Replay”:

• This short story first appeared in the April/May 2007 issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction.
• You can read “Distant Replay” for free at Asimov’s web site.
• Or, if you enjoy listening to stories more than reading them, you can get an MP3 version of this story at Escape Pod.

Some Interesting Links:

• Mike Resnick is a prolific author – take a look at his web page to see just how many articles, short stories and novels he has written.

Craving More Stories?
If you enjoyed this story then you might also like Travels With My Cats, about a middle aged man who is given the amazing opportunity to converse with the long dead author of his favorite book, by Mike Resnick.

by Mike Resnick

• Page count: 13

“Kirinyaga” is an award winning 1988 science fiction short story by Mike Resnick. It is about a colony of Kikiru living on a utopian world who are investigated for their religious practices.

The story follows Koriba, the mundumugu of a Kikuru tribe living on the artificial world of Kirinyaga. When he kills a newborn child he believes is a demon, Maintenance (the people who maintain the environment and orbit of Kirinyaga) decide to send an investigator to see if they need to regulate the Kikuru traditions.

This is a story with a very soft science fiction presence: the fact that it takes place on an orbital colony. However, it is the theme about not giving in that really drives this story. Amazingly well written, “Kirinyaga” is a story that will inspire you.

“Kirinyaga” won the 1989 Hugo Award for Best Short Story, the 1989 SF Chronicle Award and placed 20th on the 1999 Locus All-Time Poll for Best Novelette. It was also nominated for the 1989 Nebula Award for Best Short Story as well as the 1989 Locus Award.

To be thrown out of Paradise, as were the Christian Adam and Eve, is a terrible fate, but to live beside a debased Paradise is infinitely worse. I think about them frequently, the descendants of Gikuyu who have forgotten their origin and their traditions and are now merely Kenyans and I wonder why more of them did not join with us when we created the utopian world of Kirinyaga.

True, it is a harsh life, for Ngai never meant life to be easy; but it is also a satisfying life.

Where you can find “Kirinyaga”:
• “Kirinyaga” originally appeared in the November 1988 edition of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
• It is included in Mike Resnick’s collection of Kirinyaga stories, also called Kirinyaga.
• “Kirinyaga” has also been collected in Gardner Dozois’s anthology The Best of the Best: 20 Years of the Year’s Best Science Fiction.
• You can purchase an electronic version of just the short story at Fictionwise.

For a excellent discussion of not only this story, but others in the Kirinyaga series as well, see this post by Scott D. Danielson.

Did you know that Mike Resnick, the author of “Kirinyaga”, sold his first short story in 1959? Yep. You can learn more about this amazing author at Jim Baen’s Universe.

If you like this story you’ll probably enjoy The 43 Antarean Dynasties, the Hugo Award winning short story also by Mike Resnick.

by Mike Resnick

• Audio Length: 40 minutes

The 43 Antarean Dynasties is a Hugo winning science fiction short story by Mike Resnick. It is about a proud tour guide showing three humans the remains of his planet’s once great culture.

The 43 Antarean Dynasties is about Hermes, an Antarean tour guide who shows a family of three visiting humans around the capital city of his home planet. The Antareans are an ancient and highly dignified race and are extremely proud of their glorious history. As Hermes escorts the three visitors around, he is constantly tried not only by their insensitive actions, but by his own feelings of pride in his culture, race and history.

A beautifully descriptive and wonderfully well written story, The 43 Antarean Dynasties is a great read for any lover of science fiction, but it is a definite must for people who love to travel and learn about other cultures.

The 43 Antarean Dynasties won the 1998 Hugo Award for Best Short Story.

To thank the Maker Of All Things for the birth of his first male offspring, the Emperor Maloth IV ordered his architects to build a temple that would forever dwarf all other buildings on the planet. It was to be made entirely of crystal, and the spire- covered roof, which looked like a million glistening spear-points aimed at the sun, would be supported by 217 columns, to honor his 217 forebears. When struck, each column would sound a musical note that could be heard for kilometers, calling the faithful to prayer.

The structure would be known as the Temple of the Honored Sun, for his heir had been born exactly at midday, when the sun was highest in the sky. The temple took 27 Standard years to complete, and although races from all across the galaxy would come to Antares III to marvel at it, Maloth further decreed that no aliens or non-believers would ever be allowed to enter it and desecrate its sacred corridors with their presence…

Where you can find The 43 Antarean Dynasties:
• The 43 Antarean Dynasties originally appeared in the December 1997 issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction.
• There is a free version online at EscapePod.org, but it is an audio file in mp3 format. You can stream it through your browser, or download and listen to it separately. The actual story is only about 40 minutes long, but the audio file contains some other things too. (If you download it you can jump right to the beginning of the story at time index 3:37)
• The 43 Antarean Dynasties has been collected in Mike Resnick’s book New Dreams for Old.
• You can also download an electronic version from FictionWise or ElectricStory for about $1. These versions come in multiple eBook formats with DRM.

Did you know that Mike Resnick is now the leading award winner for short fiction among all science fiction writers, living or dead? Yep, you can read all about him on his web page.

If you like this story you may also like Old MacDonald Had A Farm by Mike Resnick.

by Mike Resnick

• Word count: 7353
• Page count: 18

Travels With My Cats, a very soft science fiction short story by Mike Resnick, won the Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 2005, and was also nominated for the 2004 Nebula Award. It is about a middle aged man who is given the amazing opportunity to converse with the long dead author of his favorite book.

Ethan Owens is a forty year old bachelor living in the backwoods of Wisconsin. As he re-reads his favorite travel book he inadvertently brings the author back to life. While conversing with her each evening she encourages him to live life more fully, take risks, and do the things he longs to do.

Though there is very little of the speculative fiction element in this story, it is very well written and a joy to read. Is it possible to have a romantic science fiction story? I believe this one qualifies. If you are a fan of the movie Somewhere in Time then you will love this short story.

So I picked it up without much enthusiasm, and read the first page, and then the next–and suddenly I was transported to Kenya Colony and Siam and the Amazon. Miss Priscilla Wallace had a way of describing things that made me wish I was there, and when I finished a section I felt like I’d been there.

There were cities I’d never heard of before, cities with exotic names like Maracaibo and Samarkand and Addis Ababa, some with names like Constantinople that I couldn’t even find on the map.

Where you can find Travels With My Cats:
• Travels With My Cats originally appeared in the February 2004 issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction.
• You can read a free HTML version of Travels With My Cats online at Asimov’s website.
• If you would rather listen to Travels With My Cats you can find a free audio version at Escape Pod – though you may have to put up with a few ads.

Mike Resnick is a prolific science fiction author who has won several major science fiction awards. He has written many works that draw upon his experiences with Africa. You can learn more about Mike Resnick by viewing his Wikipedia page.

If you liked this story be sure to check out Old MacDonald Had a Farm, also by Mike Resnick, and Impossible Dreams by Tim Pratt.

by Mike Resnick

• Word count: 5695
• Page count: 15

Old MacDonald Had a Farm is a science fiction short story that puts an ethical spin on one of humankind’s oldest questions: how can we feed the world’s poor?

It is a short story about a reporter who visits a farm where millions of genetically engineered animals are raised to help alleviate the world’s food shortage. What he finds there is both brilliantly wonderful and tragically disturbing.

The farm spread out before us, green and rolling, dotted with paddocks and water troughs. It looked like the kind of place you wish your parents had taken you when you were a kid and the world was still full of wonders.

Well, the world may not have been full of wonders any longer, but the farm was. Problem was, they weren’t exactly the kind you used to dream of–unless you were coming down from a really bad acid trip.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm was first published in the September 2001 edition of Asimov’s magazine. It was nominated for the 2002 Hugo for Best Short Story. You can read it online for free at Asimov’s web site.

If you liked this story you can learn more about the author, Mike Resnick, on his website.