30 review for The First Golden Age of Science Fiction MEGAPACK ®: Winston K. Marks

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Oleksandr Zholud – Dec 06, 2017

   This is a short story collection by a largely unknown SF author Winston K. Marks, published in the 1950s. It is quite an interesting read on two levels: first, as nice, naïve SF stories and second, as a way to see how views evolve in just about 60 years. It is astonishing that a ‘progressive’ writer is blind to his own prejustice regarding non-whites, women, gender roles etc. It makes you think, what will astonish readers of modern SF in another half-century. THE WATER EATER (1953), while cleaning This is a short story collection by a largely unknown SF author Winston K. Marks, published in the 1950s. It is quite an interesting read on two levels: first, as nice, naïve SF stories and second, as a way to see how views evolve in just about 60 years. It is astonishing that a ‘progressive’ writer is blind to his own prejustice regarding non-whites, women, gender roles etc. It makes you think, what will astonish readers of modern SF in another half-century. THE WATER EATER (1953), while cleaning a kitchen, a man crates something unexpected. 4/5 UNBEGOTTEN CHILD (1953), an unusual view on the cause of cancer. 5/5 ...SO THEY BAKED A CAKE (1954), Einstein twins from POV of a nihilistic journalist. 2/5 BACKLASH (1954), crashed aliens give perfect home servants to humanity, what are their motives? 4/5 TABBY (1954), alien fly invades the Earth, but that’s just a first step. 5/5 BREEDER REACTION (1954), cosmetics with ‘atomic’ effects. 4/5 FORSYTE'S RETREAT (1954), multidimensional hotel’s manager. 2/5 MATE IN TWO MOVES (1954), what if love is a virus? 4/5 THE TEST COLONY (1954), first contact – a perfect case of prejustices. 5/5 BROWN JOHN'S BODY (1955), talking rats. 3/5 THE MIND DIGGER (1958), a young genius tries to perfect himself. 4/5 THE DEADLY DAUGHTERS (1958), a satire about feminist usurpation of the USA. 4/5

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Eros Fratini – May 14, 2019

   Non conoscevo Marks, non credo che esistano suoi racconti editi in Italia recentemente (il catalogo Vegetti mostra 3 racconti le cui ultime edizioni risalgono agli anni '60, + un racconto ripubblicato nel '97). Devo dire che nonostante i racconti siano sicuramente "vecchi", sia nelle idee che nello stile, non mancano di un certo brio, che mi ha ricordato un po' lo stile di Kuttner. Si tratta comunque di fantascienza della "golden age", molti degli aspetti della fantascienza pulp sono ancora lì: ma Non conoscevo Marks, non credo che esistano suoi racconti editi in Italia recentemente (il catalogo Vegetti mostra 3 racconti le cui ultime edizioni risalgono agli anni '60, + un racconto ripubblicato nel '97). Devo dire che nonostante i racconti siano sicuramente "vecchi", sia nelle idee che nello stile, non mancano di un certo brio, che mi ha ricordato un po' lo stile di Kuttner. Si tratta comunque di fantascienza della "golden age", molti degli aspetti della fantascienza pulp sono ancora lì: machismo, razzismo, American way of life e quant'altro... Da segnalare i due racconti "Forsyte's Retreat" e "The Water Eater".

3. 

   4 out of 5

   Timothy D Beckett – Dec 12, 2017

   Most of the stories were just so-so, but I did enjoy a few of them. It's interesting to see how society viewed things and social norms through the literature of the day. The stories I liked were: …SO THEY BAKED A CAKE (1954), BACKLASH (1954), FORSYTE'S RETREAT (1954), THE TEST COLONY (1954) & THE DEADLY DAUGHTERS (1958) Most of the stories were just so-so, but I did enjoy a few of them. It's interesting to see how society viewed things and social norms through the literature of the day. The stories I liked were: …SO THEY BAKED A CAKE (1954), BACKLASH (1954), FORSYTE'S RETREAT (1954), THE TEST COLONY (1954) & THE DEADLY DAUGHTERS (1958)

4. 

   4 out of 5

   Alan – Nov 06, 2019

   Collection of short works. I love these books. When first started coming out a few early releases were free giveaways but these run around 99 cents each. Been reading this off and on since March. Long time science fiction can since the 1950's these have a nostalgic feel. Product of its time the stories range from ok to pretty good. Collection of short works. I love these books. When first started coming out a few early releases were free giveaways but these run around 99 cents each. Been reading this off and on since March. Long time science fiction can since the 1950's these have a nostalgic feel. Product of its time the stories range from ok to pretty good.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Mark Slocum – Jun 13, 2017

   WOW is this EXCELLENT!! VERY creative and well though out works of Sci-Fi. I love that this series resurrects superb writers who have fallen off of the contemporary radar. DEFINITELY worth the low price of admission.

6. 

   4 out of 5

   John L Shasteen – Mar 22, 2018

   Been a long time since I read it These stories are dated. I try to read cheap as often as I can. This means not all the story's are not of equal quality. Nevertheless they are good value. Been a long time since I read it These stories are dated. I try to read cheap as often as I can. This means not all the story's are not of equal quality. Nevertheless they are good value.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Carole O'Brien – Aug 29, 2017

   Loved this collection from the Author William K Marks, had only read one short story of his before it was great to read the collection.

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Vitaliy Hristyuk – Feb 18, 2019

   Very good! One more author I haven't heard about before - and he was good! And not a bit dated. So I can recommended this book to anyone who is a fan of Golden Age SciFi. Very good! One more author I haven't heard about before - and he was good! And not a bit dated. So I can recommended this book to anyone who is a fan of Golden Age SciFi.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Johnny Le Bon – Sep 03, 2018

   There were only maybe two stories that I liked. Winston Marks is not on my list of favorite authors.

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Bryan – Aug 04, 2014

    This was my first time to read anything by Marks. His stories are imaginative and have just the right mix of dialog and description. Many of his stories have a surprise twist at the end.

11. 

    4 out of 5

    Orville St.Clair – Mar 29, 2015

    Never heard of this guy before Great stuff! I have been a Si-Fi fan for over 60 years and never ran across Mr. Marks before! What a great talent. Enjoy!

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Keith Mitchell Mclin –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    Tanner Ashley –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Roger Allinson-French –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    John Paulson –

16. 

    5 out of 5

    mrs julia lothian –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Kelsey –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Brian Burton –

19. 

    5 out of 5

    Leonard Graham Cunliffe –

20. 

    4 out of 5

    Johnny Duncan –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Margie Disque –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Kay Salter –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    OTIS –

24. 

    4 out of 5

    Heidi –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    Kari Saarinen –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Richard M Loader –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Trish Thompson –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    J F MCCABE –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Arianna –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Timothy McCurdy –