A luminary of science fiction, and one of the most famous writers of the genre, Isaac Asimov was prolific. He wrote 383 short stories in his life, and is estimated to have written or edited over 500 books. These are the standout sci-fi stories from his long, impressive career.
short stories
“Hall of Mirrors” by Fredric Brown
A sci-fi short story by Fredric Brown, originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction 1953.
“It is a tough decision to make—whether to give up your life so you can live it over again!”
“Messenger” by Joseph Samachson
A sci-fi short story by Joseph Samachson (aka William Morrison), originally published in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy 1954.
He had to find a single planet somewhere in the vast Universe. The trouble was, if he found it—would he remember what he must do?
“In the Year 2889” by Jules Verne and Michel Verne
A sci-fi short story about the far future by Jules Verne and Michel Verne, originally published in Forum 1889.
“Export Commodity” by Irving Cox, Jr.
A sci-fi short story by Irving E. Cox, originally published in Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy 1955.
“Henig was sent to obtain a soil sample of the planet. It was a routine assignment, but not necessarily the only method for discovering an—”
“Doorstep” by Keith Laumer
A sci-fi short story by Keith Laumer, originally published in Galaxy Magazine 1961.
“The general was bucking for his other star—and this miserable contraption bucked right back!”
“Coming Attraction” by Fritz Leiber
A sci-fi short story by Fritz Lieber, originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction 1950.
“Women will always go on trying to attract men… even when the future seems to have no future!”
“A Pail of Air” by Fritz Leiber
A sci-fi short story by Fritz Lieber, originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction 1951.
“The dark star passed, bringing with it eternal night and turning history into incredible myth in a single generation!”
“2 B R 0 2 B” by Kurt Vonnegut
Got a problem? Just pick up the phone. It solved them all—and all the same way!
“The World That Couldn’t Be” by Clifford D. Simak
The tracks went up one row and down another, and in those rows the vua plants had been sheared off an inch or two above the ground. The raider had been methodical; it had not wandered about haphazardly, but had done an efficient job of harvesting the first ten rows on the west side of the field.