This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Best Of Lester Del Rey

   

   An anthology spanning decades of mid-20th‑century speculative fiction, this collection brings together short stories and commentary that range from tender, surprisingly human portrayals of artificial companions to brisk space adventure and thoughtful moral parables. With clear, economical prose and deft plotting, the pieces probe technology’s effects on everyday life, the ethics of scientific progress, and the resilience of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, often tempered by wry humor and a nostalgic optimism. Together the selections trace the evolution of classic science‑fiction themes while remaining emotionally grounded and accessible to both new and longtime readers.

2. 2. The World Of Science Fiction 1926 76

   

   A brisk, opinionated survey of science fiction's evolution from its magazine-pulp beginnings in the late 1920s through the mid-1970s, blending historical overview, critical appraisal, and personal anecdote. It traces key movements—pulp era, Golden Age, postwar diversification, and the New Wave—profiles influential writers and editors, discusses changing themes and publishing practices, and reflects on the genre's growing impact on popular culture and technological imagination. The tone is knowledgeable and candid, offering both celebration and critique of the field's achievements and excesses.