The Best of Gordon R. Dickson, Volume 1

The Best of Gordon R. Dickson, Volume I, gathers together fourteen stories, predominantly from the first half of legendary science fiction and fantasy writer Gordon R. Dickson’s career, ranging from the early 1950s through the 1960s, including tales dragons, dolphins, aliens, werewolves, mutants and humans trying to make sense of an infinitely bewildering universe. A maiden aunt is suddenly given superpowers. An alien who looks like a large, sentient rabbit makes ominous announcement which make no sense from behind an impenetrable force shield. Humans besieged by an alien enemy refuse, against all reason, to give up fighting. And much more, in stories running the gamut from exciting adventure to stark tragedy to hysterical comedy. Plus the never before published “Love Story,” written for Harlan Ellison’s legendary, but never published anthology, The Last Dangerous Visions. And stay tuned for The Best of Gordon R. Dickson, Volume II, with another generous display of Dickson’s virtuosity, covering his brilliant career from 1970s to the century’s end.

Cover Art by Adam Burn

Paperback

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

First printing, April 2017

Distributed by Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN-13: 978-1-4767-8217-1
eISBN: 978-1-62579-573-1

“Love Song” © 2017 by the Estate of Gordon R. Dickson.

“Miss Prinks” © 1954 by Fantasy House, Inc. © 1982 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, June, 1954.

“Our First Death” © 1955 by Fantasy House, Inc. © 1983 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, August, 1955.

“St. Dragon and the George” © 1957 by Fantasy House, Inc. © 1985 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, September, 1957.

“Friend for Life” © 1956 by Fantasy House, Inc. © 1984 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Venture Science Fiction, March, 1957.

“Danger—Human” © 1957 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. © 1985 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Astounding Science Fiction, December, 1957.

“Fleegl of Fleegl” © 1958 by Mercury Press, Inc. © 1986 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Venture Science Fiction, May, 1958.

“The Question” © 1958 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. © 1986 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Astounding Science Fiction, May, 1958.

“The Girl Who Played Wolf” © 1958 by Ziff-Davis Publishing Co. © 1986 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Fantastic, August, 1958.

“The Dreamsman” © 1959 by Ballantine Books, Inc. © 1987 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Star Science Fiction #6.

“One on Trial” © 1960 by Mercury Press, Inc. © 1988 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, May, 1960.

“An Honorable Death” © 1960 by Galaxy Publishing Corp. © 1988 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Galaxy Magazine, February, 1961.

“Whatever Gods There Be” © 1961 by Ziff-Davis Publishing Co. © 1989 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Amazing Stories, July, 1961.

“Idiot Solvant” © 1961 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. © 1989 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Analog Science Fiction-Science Fact, January, 1962.

“Dolphin’s Way” © 1964 by The Conde Nast Publications, Inc. © 1992 by Gordon R. Dickson. Originally published in Analog Science Fact-Science Fiction, June, 1964.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

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