THE ESSENTIAL HAL CLEMENT

Follow-up to the first installment (1999), this one consisting of 17 stories, 1942–87, though on what basis they were selected isn't clear. More than most authors, Clement labors in the traditional fields of hard science fiction, developing knotty, challenging puzzles for his characters to meet and overcome with scientific rationality and common sense. His protagonists are beings of many persuasions, often alien, using their knowledge and intelligence to solve problems, whether escaping from captivity, analyzing apparently incomprehensible situations, or simply doing business. At opening up new perspectives, Clement is masterful.