The 6th Annual Best SF 72

THE MOST EXCITING FICTION OF OUR TIME! — — The most dynamic fiction of out time, science fiction is also the fastest-expanding, both in readership and in the range of authors who employ it. The established masters - mostly Americans, a few Englishmen -- continue to show the way. The established outlets -- American s-f magazines mostly, some original anthologies -- continue to provide most of its nurture. But faithful reading of a handful of American publications is no longer sufficient to keep up with the most exciting work being done.Harry Harrison and Brian W. Aldiss have established this series as definitive in the field by looking much further afield. This year's selection is built around the established sources, but includes also a brilliant take by the Brazillian Andre Carneiro; and astonishing and delightful story by a young Ghanaian, Victor Sabah; and other unexpected pleasures.Contents:Introduction, essay by Harry Harrison In the Matter of the Assassin Merefirs, shortstory by Ken W. Purdy As for Our Fatal Continuity . . ., shortstory by Brian W. Aldiss The Old Folks, shortstory by James E. Gunn From Sea to Shining Sea, shortstory by Jonathan Ela Weihnachtabend, novelette by Keith RobertsThe Years, shortstory by Robert F. Young Darkness, shortstory by André Carneiro Cymbal Player, poem by Lawrence Sail Report from the Planet Proteus, poem by Lawrence Sail Columbus on St. Domenica, poem by John CottonAfter Death, poem by Patricia Beer Faex Delenda Est, poem by Theodore R. Cogswell Words of Warning, shortstory by Alex Hamilton Out, Wit!, shortstory by Howard L. Myers An Imaginary Journey to the Moon, shortstory by Victor Sabah The Head and the Hand, shortstory by Christopher Priest Hero, novella by Joe Haldeman Afterword: The Year of the Big Spring Clean, essay by Brian W. Aldiss