The Best of Philip K. Dick
Encyclopedia
The Best of Philip K. Dick is a collection of science fiction
stories by Philip K. Dick
. It was first published by Del Rey Books
in 1977. Many of the stories had originally appeared in the magazines Planet Stories
, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Space Science Fiction
, Imagination
, Astounding Stories, Galaxy Science Fiction
, Amazing Stories
, Science Fiction Stories and Startling Stories
, as well as the anthologies Dangerous Visions
and Star Science Fiction Stories No.3
.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
stories by Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick
Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...
. It was first published by Del Rey Books
Del Rey Books
Del Rey Books is a branch of Ballantine Books, which is owned by Random House and, in turn since 1998, by Bertelsmann AG. It is a separate imprint established in 1977 under the editorship of author Lester del Rey and his wife Judy-Lynn del Rey. It specializes in science fiction and fantasy...
in 1977. Many of the stories had originally appeared in the magazines Planet Stories
Planet Stories
Planet Stories was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published by Fiction House between 1939 and 1955. It featured interplanetary adventures, both in space and on other planets, and was initially focused on a young readership. Malcolm Reiss was editor or editor-in-chief for all of its 71...
, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Space Science Fiction
Space Science Fiction
Space Science Fiction was a science fiction magazine published by Space Publications, Inc. of New York and The Archer Press Ltd. of London that ran for eight issues from May 1952 to September 1953. Space was edited by Lester del Rey and featured a monthly book review column by George O. Smith...
, Imagination
Imagination (magazine)
Imagination was an American fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in October 1950 by Raymond Palmer's Clark Publishing Company. The magazine was sold almost immediately to Greenleaf Publishing Company, owned by William Hamling, who published and edited it from the third issue,...
, Astounding Stories, Galaxy Science Fiction
Galaxy Science Fiction
Galaxy Science Fiction was an American digest-size science fiction magazine, published from 1950 to 1980. It was founded by an Italian company, World Editions, which was looking to break in to the American market. World Editions hired as editor H. L...
, Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories was an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction...
, Science Fiction Stories and Startling Stories
Startling Stories
Startling Stories was an American pulp science fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1955 by Standard Magazines. It was initially edited by Mort Weisinger, who was also the editor of Thrilling Wonder Stories, Standard's other science fiction title. Startling ran a lead novel in every issue;...
, as well as the anthologies Dangerous Visions
Dangerous Visions
Dangerous Visions is a science fiction short story anthology edited by Harlan Ellison, published in 1967.A path-breaking collection, Dangerous Visions helped define the New Wave science fiction movement, particularly in its depiction of sex in science fiction...
and Star Science Fiction Stories No.3
Star Science Fiction Stories No.3
Star Science Fiction Stories No.3 is the third book in the anthology series, Star Science Fiction Stories, edited by Frederik Pohl. It was first published in 1954 by Ballantine Books.-Contents:*It's Such a Beautiful Day by Isaac Asimov...
.
Contents
- Introduction: The Reality of Philip K. Dick, by John BrunnerJohn BrunnerJohn Brunner may refer to:* Sir John Brunner, 1st Baronet , a.k.a. John Tomlinson Brunner, British industrialist and Liberal Member of Parliament* John L...
" - "Beyond Lies the WubBeyond Lies the Wub"Beyond Lies the Wub" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was his first published story, originally appearing in Planet Stories in July, 1952.-Plot:...
" - "RoogRoogPhilip K. Dick sold approximately fifteen short stories himself before becoming a client of the Scott Meredith Literary Agency. "Roog" was his first sale but not his first published story.- Story :...
" - "Second VarietySecond Variety"Second Variety" is an influential short story by Philip K. Dick first published in Space Science Fiction magazine, in May 1953. It is one of Dick's many stories in which nuclear war has rendered the Earth's surface an uninhabitable, gray ash pile, and the only things remaining are killer robots...
" - "PaycheckPaycheck (short story)"Paycheck" is a short story by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, written on July 31, 1952 and first published in the June, 1953 issue of Imagination...
" - "ImpostorImpostor (short story)"Impostor" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Astounding magazine in June, 1953. Impostor, a feature film based on the story, was released in 2002 starring Gary Sinise, Madeleine Stowe and Vincent D'Onofrio...
" - "ColonyColony (short story)"Colony" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Galaxy magazine, June 1953. The plot centers on an expedition to an uncharted planet, on which the dominant, predatory life form is capable of precise mimicry of human technology.-About the story:Accompanying the...
" - "ExpendableExpendable (short story)"Expendable" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, July 1953...
" - "The Days of Perky PatThe Days of Perky PatThe Days of Perky Pat is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick, first published in 1963 in Amazing magazine. Elements of the story would be incorporated into Dick's 1965 novel, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch.- Plot :...
" - "Breakfast at TwilightBreakfast at Twilight"Breakfast at Twilight" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was received by the Scott Meredith Literary Agency on January 17, 1953 and first published in Amazing Stories, July 1954....
" - "Foster, You're Dead!Foster, You're Dead!"Foster, You're Dead!" is a 1955 science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Star Science Fiction Stories No.3....
" - "The Father-ThingThe Father-thingThe Father-Thing is a 1954 science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. The story, written from a child's point of view, concerns the replacement of a boy's father by a replicated version. Only the child sees the difference and has to recruit other children to help him reveal the truth...
" - "Service CallService Call"Service Call" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Science Fiction Stories, July 1955. The plot centers on a service agent for an authoritarian bio-technology from an alternate future who appears in the contemporary USA....
" - "AutofacAutofac"Autofac" is a 1955 science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick that features one of the earliest treatments of self-replicating machines. It is set some years after an apocalyptic world war has devastated Earth's civilizations, leaving only a network of hardened robot "autofacs" in operation to...
" - "Human IsHuman IsHuman Is is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Startling Stories, Winter 1955. The plot centers on the crisis facing a woman whose cold and emotionally abusive husband returns, from a survey mission to the dying planet Rexor IV, changed for the better—due to...
" - "If There Were No Benny CemoliIf There Were No Benny Cemoli"If There Were No Benny Cemoli" is a science fiction short story by American writer Philip K. Dick, first published in the December, 1963 issue of Galaxy magazine with illustration by Lutjens....
" - "Oh, to Be a Blobel!Oh, to be a Blobel!"Oh, to be a Blobel!" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in Galaxy magazine, February 1964. The plot centers on the post-traumatic psychological state of former espionage agents on both sides of the Human-Blobel war. Blobels are presented as a single-cell,...
" - "Faith of Our FathersFaith of our Fathers"Faith of Our Fathers" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick, first published in the anthology Dangerous Visions . It was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novelette in 1968....
" - "The Electric AntThe Electric AntThe Electric Ant is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. First published in Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine in October 1969....
" - "A Little Something for Us TempunautsA Little Something For Us Tempunauts"A Little Something for Us Tempunauts" is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in the anthology Final Stage in 1975.-Plot summary:...
" - Afterthoughts by the Author