The Best of Hal Clement

The Best of Hal Clement is a collection of science fiction short stories by American author Hal Clement, edited by Lester del Rey. It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in June 1979 as a volume in its Classic Library of Science Fiction. It was reissued in ebook by Gateway/Orion in May 2013, and in trade paperback and ebook by Phoenix Pick in December 2014.

The Best of Hal Clement

Cover of first edition
Author	Hal Clement
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	1979
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (paperback)
Pages	xvii, 379
ISBN	0-345-27689-2
Preceded by	The Best of Eric Frank Russell
Followed by	The Best of James Blish

Summary

The book contains ten short works of fiction and an afterword by the author, together with an introduction by editor Lester del Rey.

Contents

• "Hal Clement: Rationalist" [introduction] (Lester del Rey)
• "Impediment" (from Astounding Science-Fiction, Aug. 1942)
• "Technical Error" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Jan. 1944)
• "Uncommon Sense" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Sep. 1945)
• "Assumption Unjustified" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Oct. 1946)
• "Answer" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Apr. 1947)
• "Dust Rag" (from Astounding Science Fiction, Sep. 1956)
• "Bulge" (from If, Sep. 1968)
• "Mistaken for Granted" (from Worlds of If, Jan./Feb. 1974)
• "A Question of Guilt" (from The Year's Best Horror Stories: Series IV, Nov. 1976)
• "Stuck with It" (from Stellar #2, Feb. 1976)
• "Author's Afterword"

Reception

The book was reviewed by Stephen W. Potts in Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Review, Nov. 1979.

Awards

The book placed tenth in the 1980 Locus Poll Award for Best Single Author Collection. "Uncommon Sense" won the 1946 Retro Hugo Award for Best Short Story, awarded in 1996.