The Best of Jack Vance (1976)

This is a collection of Jack Vance's short stories written between 1952 and 1973. Jack Vance illustrates that the great thing about Science Fiction is its ability to detach our minds from current reality, and allow us to examine the issues of the day, without creating the defensive arrogant pride that keeps us from truly seeing.

Here is what I thought of each story and the issues they propose-

(1962)Sail 25: (Technological Advances)
a short story about a voyage into deep outer space. The cadets are headed to mars on a space clipper. The captain Henry Belt is a no nonsense chap, desires to die in space; so he hands the reign to his cadets to sail on through the outer limits of space. Will they get home? The story was a keen observation of Sailors and Captains, and the relationship between the two. I really enjoyed the story.

(1958)Ullward's Retreat: (Utopian Good Life-Suburban Lifestyles)
How much space does one really need? A whole planet is it enough for one man? Are we that greedy that even ownership of a planet is not enough?

(1966)The Last Castle: (Issue Examined: Civil Rights)
The Last Castle, is a short story influenced by Japanese Samurai Culture, and explores the ideas of a closed caste system where it is impossible to alter one's life. The story highlights the relationships between the gentlemen society and those that work to support it. Vance poses the question: "Is prospering from slave labor ever okay for the building up of a society? The men of high means almost always underestimate their servants, "They are a clever, resourceful race, untroubled by qualms or preconceptions, and we have long underestimated their quality." The gentlemen fear to leave their caste system would mean becoming demeaned, "Wild Animals? Nomads?". The answer to Vance is clear, "Society need not wither, provided that all of us - you as well as we - toil for it. There can be no more slaves."pg 112

(1952)Abercombie Station (Issue Examined: Family)
A haven or an asylum. Abercombie Station is a detective story, exploring the ins and outs of one crazy family.

(1961)The Moon Moth (Anthropology)

(1973) Rumfuddle

Would I read more by Jack Vance-heck yeah! I think his ability to create different worlds is outstanding. I got caught in the flow of The Last Castle and Sail 25. Good stuff Cluck It LOUD. ( )