Futureshocks [Paperback]

For those of you that prefer pure 'Hard' science fiction please be advised that some of the sixteen stories here contain elements of fantasy, and I for one also prefer 'Hard' science fiction. Nevertheless, every one of these stories are page turners and will keep your interest. These writers are veterans, and at the beginning of each story editor Lou Anders, also an accomplished writer, introduces each one of them, they all have impressive credentials. All of the stories demonstrate great creativity, and the words just flow off the pages. After reading this, perhaps you, like me, will realize that a lot of unanticipated bad things may materialize out of future capabilities. Read and enjoy.

Lou Anders oversaw the fine anthology LIVE WITHOUT A NET: his latest compilation, FUTURESHOCKS, gathers new science fiction and horror stories which have roots in biological, technological and sociological change and feature works by seasoned authors, from Paul Di Fillipo and Mike Resnick to Harry Turtledove and Louise Marley. Any who enjoy speculating about the future's dangers will relish a collection which gathers engrossing stories of future dangers.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

This is an interesting book, if a little flimsy quality if you are going to be paying trade prices. Groovy cover, though. Some decent stuff here, and it was certainly interesting to see Chris Roberson in something like this.

A pretty good collection, average rating for stories almost makes 3.5.

Futureshocks : Shuteye For the Timebroker - Paul Di Filippo
Futureshocks : Looking Through Mother's Eyes - John Meaney
Futureshocks : The Man Who Knew Too Much - Alan Dean Foster
Futureshocks : The Engines of Arcadia - Sean McMullen
Futureshocks : The Pearl Diver - Caitlin R. Kiernan
Futureshocks : Before the Beginning - Mike Resnick and Harry Turtledove
Futureshocks : Man You Gotta Go - Adam Roberts
Futureshocks : Homosexuals Damned Film At Eleven - Alex Irvine
Futureshocks : Contagion - Chris Roberson
Futureshocks : Absalom's Mother - Louise Marley
Futureshocks : Job Qualifications - Kevin J. Anderson
Futureshocks : The Teosinte War - Paul Melko
Futureshocks : Slip - Robert A. Metzger
Futureshocks : All's Well At World's End - Howard V. Hendrix
Futureshocks : Flashes - Robert J. Sawyer
Futureshocks : The Cartesian Theater - Robert Charles Wilson

Degenerate gambling sleepless now sleeper finds dream power.

4.5 out of 5

Birth is really, really draining on the parents.

2 out of 5

Brainbook junkie.

4 out of 5

A man, bored with his safe, controlled, present society, rustles up a time machine and goes far into the future. He is somewhat surprised to find a society of medieval mutant munchkins, that behave very differently.

3.5 out of 5

American fascist Orwellian Dilbert hell sacking bejewelled transformation.

3 out of 5

Either end of eternity, a Jewish domain.

3.5 out of 5

AI FTL depopulation.

4 out of 5

Genetic stoning.

2 out of 5

A man's job is to carry retroviruses in his blood to pass information. Society is stratified into castes by what protection from disease they can afford. When he discovers what he is carrying, and what sort of people he has been working for, everything changes.

3.5 out of 5

Child soldier vacuum suicide protest.

4 out of 5

Multiple Man of the people.

3.5 out of 5

Multiverse experiment massacre.

4 out of 5

Canine chronological edge coercion.

3.5 out of 5

Annihilation practice is ordinary.

2.5 out of 5

Interstellar information overload anarchy.

4 out of 5

AI's secret hiring post double death act suicide promotion of philosophy.

4 out of 5