- Paperback
- Publisher: ACE Charter (1 Mar 1982)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0441090699
- ISBN-13: 978-0441090693
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,060,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"If one were given the task of creating Spider Robinson from scratch, the best way to do it would be to snatch James Joyce from history, force-feed him Marx Brothers films and good jazz for the better part of a decade, then turn him loose on a world badly in need of a look at itself."-"Vancouver Sun"
"Nobody's perfect. But Spider comes pretty damned close."-Ben Bova
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"Nobody's perfect. But Spider comes pretty damned close."-Ben Bova
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Callahan's Place is the neighborhood tavern to all of time and space, where the regulars are anything but. Pull up a chair, grab a glass of your favorite, and listen to the stories spun by time travelers, cybernetic aliens, telepaths...and a bunch of regular folks on a mission to save the world, one customer at a time.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
These were the stories that kick-started Robinson's writing career. Originally appearing in Analog, they met such a warm reception and requests for more that Spider was almost forced to oblige, even though these stories have only a bare minimum of that 'hard science' feel that is the normal requisite for stories in that magazine.
The reason these stories got that kind of reception is simply that they deserved it. All happen within the confines of Callahan's bar, a most congenial place that people seem to find just when they need it, for the patrons of this bar are always willing to listen to and help anyone who truly needs it. Fully loaded with humanity even when dealing with aliens out to destroy our world or turn us into their own private feed cattle, these stories are tightly plotted, filled with recognizable people from just down the street, and just wacky enough to engage both your interest and your funny bone. Just to add icing to the cake, most of these stories are also loaded with puns (most especially in those stories that occur on Tuesday night, officially designated PunDay), some of them quite good and original, and guaranteed to raise a groan or two. And then there is Tall Tales Night, where some really, really tall ones get told just as sidelights to the main story.
The stories I liked the best in this collection were "The Time Traveler" which is science fiction only by courtesy, but is a riveting story that may have you reaching for your handkerchief, and "The Law of Conservation of Pain" where science fiction mixes with the world of music in a most painful and joyous manner. These are two of the longest stories here, and Robinson does seem to do better at this length. Some of the shorter length stories, such as "The Centipede Dilemma", depend too much on a single gimmick or idea to be fully satisfying, but the overall level of this collection is very high. And once you have tasted the flavor of Callahan's bar, you'll more than likely wish you had one just like it around your neighborhood. Alas, the supply of Callahans is very limited, but at least you can read more about this fascinating place in all the other Callahan books Spider has published over the years.
--- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Brilliant collection of short stories, that will appeal to everyone, not just sci-fi nuts
31 Dec 2008
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This collection of short stories, connected by a theme of absolution and recovery, is just wonderful. It's not really science fiction, as technology plays only the most minuscule of parts; the stories are strongly character-driven, and should appeal to just about everyone.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
18 reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
A marvelous blend of sci-fi, humor, and compassion
13 July 2003
Format:Mass Market Paperback
"Callahan's Crosstime Saloon," by Spider Robinson, is a collection of 9 linked short stories. All are set at the saloon of the title. Callahan's has a colorful collection of regulars and is often visited by aliens, time travelers, and humans with paranormal gifts. The book contains a fascinating introduction by Ben Bova entitled "Spider Robinson: The SF Writer as Empath."
This book is a great blend of humor and science fiction. Robinson puts inventive spins on classic sci-fi themes. He also deals effectively with such down-to-earth issues as war, motherhood, and personal loss. The book is also full of puns--the Callahan's regulars observe a Punday contest.
Along the way Robinson invokes Isaac Asimov and Charles Fort. The book as a whole is grounded by a real compassion for the human (and nonhuman!) condition--this is sci-fi with both brains and heart.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Aorta Try to Quit Laughing!
13 Oct 2002
Format:Mass Market Paperback
These were the stories that kick-started Robinson's writing career. Originally appearing in Analog, they met such a warm reception and requests for more that Spider was almost forced to oblige, even though these stories have only a bare minimum of that 'hard science' feel that is the normal requisite for stories in that magazine.
The reason these stories got that kind of reception is simply that they deserved it. All happen within the confines of Callahan's bar, a most congenial place that people seem to find just when they need it, for the patrons of this bar are always willing to listen to and help anyone who truly needs it. Fully loaded with humanity even when dealing with aliens out to destroy our world or turn us into their own private feed cattle, these stories are tightly plotted, filled with recognizable people from just down the street, and just wacky enough to engage both your interest and your funny bone. Just to add icing to the cake, most of these stories are also loaded with puns (most especially in those stories that occur on Tuesday night, officially designated PunDay), some of them quite good and original, and guaranteed to raise a groan or two. And then there is Tall Tales Night, where some really, really tall ones get told just as sidelights to the main story.
The stories I liked the best in this collection were "The Time Traveler" which is science fiction only by courtesy, but is a riveting story that may have you reaching for your handkerchief, and "The Law of Conservation of Pain" where science fiction mixes with the world of music in a most painful and joyous manner. These are two of the longest stories here, and Robinson does seem to do better at this length. Some of the shorter length stories, such as "The Centipede Dilemma", depend too much on a single gimmick or idea to be fully satisfying, but the overall level of this collection is very high. And once you have tasted the flavor of Callahan's bar, you'll more than likely wish you had one just like it around your neighborhood. Alas, the supply of Callahans is very limited, but at least you can read more about this fascinating place in all the other Callahan books Spider has published over the years.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Callahan's where Cheers meets the Outer Limits
16 Aug 2000
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I first came across the stories of Spider Robinson's Callahan's Crosstime Saloon while on deployment in the navy. What an eye opener! Talk about something that will grab your imagination and happily drag you into its world. After I finished the first book, I had to find them all. Still can't find off the wall at Callahans but am perseveering. The first thing I thought when I read the time traveler and the descripions of the bar owner, Mike Callahan, and the patrons was that this was what would happen if Cheers did an outer limits type episode. ANd I was hooked!
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