All the Myriad Ways [Mass Market Paperback]

Larry Niven (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Del Rey (December 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345334167
• ISBN-13: 978-0345334169
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,129,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the best science fiction short stories ever written, January 31, 2009

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: All the Myriad Ways (Mass Market Paperback)

This collection contains some of the best science fiction short stories ever written. It includes "Inconstant Moon", a story about the sun flaring up and people on the night side knowing about it due to the brightness of the moon. Since they have knowledge of astronomy, the main characters are simply waiting for the dawn of a new day and the end of the world. This was my favorite story in the collection.
A close second was "Man of Steel" a discussion of the difficulties inherent in Superman from Krypton cross breeding with a human female. The material on the physical difficulties of sex and gestation are factual and entertaining. Niven also demonstrates his scientific knowledge in the stories "Exercise in Speculation: The Theory and Practice of Teleportation" and "The Theory and Practice of Time Travel." As he so clearly demonstrates, the practical difficulties of doing either one are extremely formidable.
I read this book for the first time approximately 20 years ago and enjoyed it just as much this time. If I am fortunate, I will read it again in another 20 years.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best collection of short stories I have ever read!, July 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: All the Myriad Ways (Mass Market Paperback)

Larry Niven's best short stories in one collection. Very hard to find b/c of its popularity. Stories are based on scientific facts and theories, as in "The Theory and Practice of Teleportation", and are often humorous, as in "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex," discussing how Superman's sperm would tear apart Lois Lane. Niven has wonderful ability to take scientific fact or theory and exploit the absurd aspects of it, while still presenting a intellectually stimulating story or essay. The title short story is my favorite short or long story ever, exploring the possibility of alternate unverses, in which every choice that could ever have been made, was made all possible ways.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent; worth the title story alone., December 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All the Myriad Ways (Mass Market Paperback)

The nonfiction essays, as exercises in informed speculation, are well-done. But my favorite parts of this classic are the two main stories: "All The Myriad Ways," and "Inconstant Moon." The latter story is better than "Titanic." I've got an old 1975 copy of this, complete with cheezy 70's computer fonts on the cover.. boy am I glad my dad bought so many books before I was born! It's well worth seeking out a copy of this one... it will not disappoint.