"There has never been a collection like this before...it will entertain, infuriate, and reward you for years." --James Blish writing as "William Atheling, Jr." in Amazing Stories "...a gigantic, shapeless, exuberant, and startling collection...These are vital, meaningful stories which probably could not have been published in the SF magazines-not because of their daring ideas, but because of their literary quality." --Damon Knight, Saturday Review "You should buy this book immediately...You should do this because this book knows perfectly well that you are seething inside." --Algis Budrys, Galaxy Magazine Included in this memorable collection of 33 original stories are 7 winners and 13 nominees for the prestigious Hugo and Nebula Awards. Lester Del Rey / Robert Silverberg / Frederik Pohl / Philip Jose Farmer / Miriam Allen deFord / Robert Bloch / Harlan Ellison / Brian W. Aldiss / Howard Rodman / Philip K. Dick / Larry Niven / Fritz Leiber / Joe L. Hensley / Poul Anderson / David R. Bunch / James Cross m/ Carol Emshwiller / Damon Knight / Theodore Sturgeon / Larry Eisenberg / Henry Slesar / Sonya Dorman / John T. Sladek / Jonathan Brand / Kris Neville / R. A. Lafferty / J. G. Ballard / John Brunner / Keith Laumer / Norman Spinrad / Roger Zelazny / Samuel R. Delany
Dangerous Visions (S.F. MASTERWORKS)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Dangerous Visions is a landmark in science fiction, one that can proudly stand against those literary snobs who look down their nose at the genre -- Antony Jones SFBOOKREVIEWS blog 20120309
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
In a career spanning more than 40 years, Harlan Ellison has written or edited 75 books, more than 1700 stories, essays, articles and newspaper columns, two dozen teleplays and a dozen movies.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This classic anthology of speculative fiction (a deeper form that standard sci-fi) deserves the praise and influence it has enjoyed since 1967. These stories were indeed dangerous for their era, and most of them have proven to be well ahead of their time, retaining the power of expanding your literary horizons even today. Some of these stories are downright shocking - including the submissions from Miriam Allen deFord, Robert Bloch, and Carol Emshwiller. Others are bizarre to the point of great insight - like the stories from Brian W. Aldiss, Larry Eisenberg, and Norman Spinrad. Others have the great social commentary and human drama that most sci-fi writers would kill to be capable of - especially the submissions from Frederick Pohl and Howard Rodman.
The true key to this compilation is the editing work of Harlan Ellison, whose sarcastic and caustic personality shines through almost every page, even though he only wrote one of the stories himself. (That isn't self-glamorization, because his submission is an endorsed sequel to Bloch's story.) Ellison's introductions to each story combine the best in praising and roasting, and he certainly located many fascinating writers. Here we can see up-and-comers who later went on to greater things, along with intriguing unknowns who encourage where-are-they-now speculation. Another groundbreaking aspect of this collection is Ellison's use of afterwords by each author to comment on their own stories. This is usually successful except for a few cases of self-aggrandizement by the writers, and at least one attempt to explain a sub-par story (J.G. Ballard). Aside from a few minor clunkers, there is just one story that may have once been dangerous but is now a flop. That's the 70-plus-page novella from Philip Jose Farmer, which has aged wretchedly with an overload of creaky 60's politics and an unreadably faddish writing style. That's about the only story here that's not still capable of opening new horizons all these decades later.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Art Turner
Format:Paperback
Say what you will about Harlan Ellison, but you've got to admit he's got great taste.
I was lucky enough to this up for a measly $.75 at a local used bookstore. Believe me, it was money well spent.
There are a few duds in this collection (doesn't every anthology have some?), but they are by far outweighed by the gems. Some examples of the latter: the outrageous Joycean wit of Philip Jose Farmer's "Riders Of The Purple Wage", the dream-like beauty of Carol Emshwiller's "Sex And/Or Mr. Morrison", John Sladek's shockingly prophetic "The Happy Breed", and Kris Neville's Salingeresque humor in "From The Government Printing Office".
If you like science fiction, or just enjoy well-crafted stories, by all means - seek this out.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Haplo Wolf
Format:Paperback
Too many good and great stories in this one to list in this review. Keep in mind that these were original stories which were never before published. A rare phenomena indeed for SF. Often, it turns out that only a small portion of the yearly writings in the SF field is good. It was a time of changes back then. Many daring, not before tolerated ideas.
At the time these stories were written they were considered _dangerous_. They remained dangerous for a long time and when I read them in these days I can see why. Innovating and shocking they still are, well some of them. A great read and necessary reading for SF lovers.
This book has also useful for-and afterwords.
Lately, many o.o.p. books are instilled with new life, but I don't think this will be available long. It can't hurt to have a bit of a history of SF on your shelves. However, it remains a period book. Some dated stories, but always interesting.
No SF library is complete without it.
One other reviewer mentioned some favorites. The Bloch story is tremendously fun to read. As is the PKD story.
Good reading here.
At the time these stories were written they were considered _dangerous_. They remained dangerous for a long time and when I read them in these days I can see why. Innovating and shocking they still are, well some of them. A great read and necessary reading for SF lovers.
This book has also useful for-and afterwords.
Lately, many o.o.p. books are instilled with new life, but I don't think this will be available long. It can't hurt to have a bit of a history of SF on your shelves. However, it remains a period book. Some dated stories, but always interesting.
No SF library is complete without it.
One other reviewer mentioned some favorites. The Bloch story is tremendously fun to read. As is the PKD story.
Good reading here.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Many visions of dystopia
The 1960's gave birth to the idea that human actions might reach a scale that could destroy the human race, create a permanent dictatorship, permanently damage the environment, or... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mec
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank You!
I was excited to find this book! Great communication and shipping from seller.
This is possibly one of the most important collections of post 1950's pop science-fiction. Read more
This is possibly one of the most important collections of post 1950's pop science-fiction. Read more
Published 10 months ago by P. Haas
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Historic Anthology That Almost Lives Up To Its Billing
There are probably two good reasons for reading Dangerous Visions. One is for the stories themselves and the second is because it was a historic book in the science fiction genre. Read more
Published 17 months ago by George Duncan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Collectable collection
Tremendous collection. Many great imaginative stories, especially "Gonna Roll the Bones" by Fritz Leiber. What a piece of work! Read more
Published 21 months ago by montewmw
2.0 out of 5 stars
Dated Visions
I read this as a teenager in the 1970s and wanted to reread it; sadly, it's aged pretty poorly.
It's hard to get past the repeated "shocks" involving male homosexuality... Read more
It's hard to get past the repeated "shocks" involving male homosexuality... Read more
Published on October 16, 2010 by By the Bayou
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great but not perfect
The best part of this book is Harlan Ellison's introductions. He's got two for the book and one for each story. That makes 33 total. The man likes to write and it shows. Read more
Published on September 14, 2010 by Sue Lange
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Future Was So Bright
Good Lord, it's been forty years or more since "Dangerous Visions" hit the stores. Hardly seems possible, especially for a book that was specifically designed to bring science... Read more
Published on January 31, 2010 by benshlomo
5.0 out of 5 stars
The 2nd Revolution
In the prelude, Harlan Ellison describes "a 2nd Revolution", those science fiction writers that emerged out of the 60's and led SF into a new direction. Read more
Published on May 1, 2009 by B. A. Dilger
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Free SF Reader
Making a long, 33 page original anthology all good is going to be very difficult, and it is the later middle of this book that lets it down. Read more
Published on May 23, 2008 by Blue Tyson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Science fiction early heroes
Well, it's harlan ellison. what more can be said? Either you know him and love him or hate him. I happen to think he is a genius and so does he. Read more
Published on December 22, 2007 by Cynthia Powell
