Free Space [Hardcover]

Edward E. Kramer (Editor), Brad Linaweaver (Editor), Poul Anderson (Contributor), John Barnes (Contributor), Gregory Benford (Contributor), William F. Buckley (Contributor), James P. Hogan (Contributor), Robert J. Sawyer (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 1997

A group of writers including Poul Anderson, John Barnes, Gregory Benford, Ray Bradbury, and others offers stories about the twenty-third century, where individual societies outside of Earth have evolved into a galactic federation without formalized government known as Free Space."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is a libertarianist anthology of (mostly) original stories that, depending on your tastes, can be too narrowly focused or wonderfully concentrated. The "Free Space" in the title is just that: a loose federation of space habitats that has no central government. Free enterprise rules, and the editors let 20 authors ranging from William F. Buckley Jr. to William F. Wu have their way with it. The result is mixed, but on the whole successful, and it definitely makes for interesting reading. Several of the writers are winners of the Libertarian Futurist Society's Prometheus Award.

From Library Journal

This sf anthology focuses on a libertarian view of a free-space universe spanning 300 years. Twenty contributors of 19 original stories and one poem include William F. Buckley Jr., Gregory Benford, Poul Anderson, and L. Neil Smith. An intriguing collection by some of the genre's best writers; recommended.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (June 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312859570
• ISBN-13: 978-0312859572
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,158,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks for holding out!, March 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Free Space (Paperback)

This book combines two things I really love: short stories and science fiction...with an added bonus - libertarian themes! Stephen King once said that if novels are like long romances, then short stories are like a brief kiss. 'Free Space' gives you tongue.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just a book of libertarian stories..., April 19, 2003

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Free Space (Paperback)

This is a book of some of the BEST Sci-Fi stories ever. With such authors as Poul Anderson, James P. Hogan, Ray Bradbury, Gregory Benford, L. Neil Smith and Dafydd ab Hugh you can't lose. The stories don't just focus on freedoms and rights, but also deal with time travel, murder and some are in the form of poems. So, come, visit Free Space and enjoy the future of mankind. Just make sure to leave your hang-ups behind and bring lots of money!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lame, May 13, 2008

By 

freedom reader (PRK, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Free Space (Hardcover)

I'm a great fan of L. Neil Smith's and bought the book for that story alone. I shouldn't have bothered. His story made a good philosophical point about the peace process, but was lacking in terms of the apparent theme of the book. The other stories left me cold, and didn't sustain even a single reading.

At least I bought it used so I wasn't out much cash.