Cryptic: The Best Short Fiction of Jack McDevitt

I really like Jack's novels but I thought I'd take a shot at his short fiction works. I especially liked his time travel stories, including Times Arrow and Time Travellers Never Die (from which he expanded it into a novel). He also told several stories from the Priscilla Hutch universe which was fun and insightful. A man decides to get involved with the Nok's civil war. He's tired of just being an observer and takes an active role in messing up the battles and saving lives, much against the Prime Directive (remember that one, Trek fans?). Hutch gets involved and the story leaves the reader with a complex plot with a simple answer. Nicely done. Other stories in the mix were pretty good, some not so much, it's a matter of taste. Took me a long time to get through the book as there are so many stories. 'Henry James, This One's For You' about a computer who can write the perfect novel, threatening to put regular writers and editors out of business. What would you do? Crazy ending. There's more: Part I: Unlikely Connections Cryptic The Fort Moxie Branch Nothing Ever Happens in Rock City Tweak Melville on Iapetus Lighthouse (with Michael Shara) Cool Neighbor (with Michael Shara) Whistle In the Tower Part II: Lost Treasures Ignition Indomitable Last Contact Never Despair Windows Dutchman The Tomb Promises to Keep To Hell with the Stars The Mission Part III: Out There Report from the Rear Black to Move The Far Shore Sunrise Kaminsky at War Part IV: Touching the Infinite Fifth Day Deus Tex Gus Welcome to Valhalla (with Kathryn Lance) Tyger Auld Lang Boom Part V: Inventions and Fallout Cruising through Deuteronomy The Candidate Act of God Ellie Time's Arrow Dead in the Water Henry James, This One's for You Time Travellers Never Die

Excellent book! The short stories cover a wide range of topics and all will make you think.

If you like Jack McDevitt you will find this collection interesting. Many of the stories have evolved into full books such as Eternity Road and others.

Jack McDevitt does it all over again. These short stories will work your imagination like no other - from space travel, time travel, mind travel to brown dwarfs, Fort Moxie Branch (which is brilliant). This book belongs on every SF reader's shelf. Take an afternoon off, sit in your favorite easy chair and let Jack transport you to several of his most favorite places. You will not be sorry. If you are like me, you will read slow to make the book last longer.

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Of course ive been spelling my name wrong. Still single btw.