The Best of Eric Frank Russell

The Best of Eric Frank Russell is a collection of science fiction short stories by British author Eric Frank Russell. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in October 1978 as a volume in its Classic Library of Science Fiction. It was reprinted in July 1986 and March 1987. The book has been translated into German.

The Best of Eric Frank Russell

Cover of first edition
Author	Eric Frank Russell
Cover artist	H. R. Van Dongen
Language	English
Series	Ballantine's Classic Library of Science Fiction
Genre	Science fiction
Publisher	Del Rey/Ballantine
Publication date	1978
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (paperback)
Pages	xv, 336
ISBN	0-345-27700-7
Preceded by	The Best of Lester del Rey
Followed by	The Best of Hal Clement

Summary

The book contains thirteen short works of fiction by the author, together with an introduction by Alan Dean Foster.

Contents

• "The Symbiote of Hooton" [introduction] (Alan Dean Foster)
• "Mana" (from Astounding Stories, Dec. 1937)
• "Jay Score" (from Astounding Science-Fiction, May 1941)
• "Homo Saps" (from Astounding Science-Fiction, Dec. 1941)
• "Metamorphosite" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Dec. 1946)
• "Hobbyist" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Sep. 1947)
• "Late Night Final" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Dec. 1948)
• "Dear Devil" (from Other Worlds Science Stories, May 1950)
• "Fast Falls the Eventide" (from Astounding Science Fiction, May 1952)
• "I Am Nothing" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Jul. 1952)
• "Weak Spot" (from Astounding Science Fiction, May 1954)
• "Allamagoosa" (from Astounding Science Fiction, May 1955)
• "Into Your Tent I'll Creep" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Sep. 1957)
• "Study in Still Life" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Jan. 1959)

Reception

The book was reviewed by P. J. Stevens (1978) in Australian SF News, Dec. 1978, uncredited reviewers in SF Perry Rhodan Magazin, Jul. 1980 and in Reclams Science Fiction Führer, 1982, and "Maik" (Michael Nagula) in Perry Rhodan no. 898, 1983.

Awards

The book placed tenth in the 1979 Locus Poll Award for Best Single Author Collection.