Description
From the offbeat imagination of one of America’s most prolific writers comes a selection of tales true, false, and in that dream state in-between, including . . .
- Happy Anniversary, Uncle Roswell. An alien who crash lands in Roswell survives. But will he live to regret it?
- The Devil and Daniel Wexler. The devil offers Daniel a choice between keeping his own miseries-or trading them in for the woes of everyone else in the world.
- The Lampreys of Innsmouth. A famous man’s desperate gambit to avoid a horrific metamorphosis that his genes threaten to trigger.
- What Does Not Break Us. A doctor fears losing in a major malpractice case against him. But the consequences and danger go way beyond money and legal liability.
- Deadman. For Halpern, a CPA with a gambling addiction, being murdered was merely the beginning of his trial by purple fire.
In the first section, “Science Fiction,” Bly invites you to explore futuristic worlds where technology reigns supreme and the boundaries of possibility are pushed to their limits. Encounter sentient machines, some not-so-sensate people, and mind-bending concepts that will challenge your understanding of our world — and our place in it.
Transitioning seamlessly into the realm of “Science Fact,” this anthology delves into the intriguing intersection of reality and speculative ideas. In the style of esteemed writers such as Isaac Asimov, Bly, known for his keen insights, offers thought-provoking snippets and explorations of scientific concepts that blur the line between the known and the imagined.
But it’s in the enigmatic “Landscapes in Between” where Bly truly showcases his mastery. Here, he unveils fragments of stories — tantalizing glimpses into worlds yet to be fully realized. These snippets and story ideas serve as seeds of inspiration, beckoning readers to cultivate their own imaginative landscapes and complete the narratives in their minds.
Machine Learnings is an anthology unlike any other, a treasure trove of weird and strange tales that transport you across boundaries and challenge your perceptions. Whether you’re a devoted fan of speculative fiction, a science enthusiast, or an explorer of the uncanny, this collection promises to enthrall, entertain, and expand the horizons of your mind. Join Robert W. Bly on an odyssey through the realms of possibility and let your imagination soar.
In this new collection, you can embark on a fascinating and fantastic journey of adventure through worlds of science fiction, science, and extraordinary landscapes. Machine Learning takes you into the weird and wonderful, with a mosaic of narratives that defy convention as much as they spark the imagination.
CONTENTS
Preface
Part I: Science Fiction
A Portrait of the Artist as a Frozen Embryo
What Does Not Break Us
The Devil and Daniel Wexler
Getting Along
Dead Man
Happy Anniversary, Uncle Roswell
Oceanus: at World’s End
Teleopoetical Argument
The Complete Novels of the Philosopher’s Stoned
Part II: Science Fact
Tachyons: Faster Than Light Particles
Gravity Waves
Laser Fusion
Black Holes in the Universe
Joseph Priestly and the Discovery of Oxygen
My Chemistry Set
Part III: Landscapes
Some Story Ideas
Advice from My Writing Coach
The Lampreys of Innsmouth
READERS PRAISE BOB BLY’S PREVIOUS SCI-FI BOOKS
“imaginative, well-structured and delightful fun”
Bob’s stories are imaginative, well-structured and delightful fun. They are full of engaging people facing strange challenges that resolve themselves surprisingly and well. —Michael Masterson
“explore contemporary themes with sensitivity and often a great deal of humor”
Bob Bly’s stories engage the reader from the first sentence. From mainstream to science fiction and everything in-between, these stories explore contemporary themes with sensitivity and often a great deal of humor. —Mark Smallwood
“In the tradition of Asimov, Bradbury, and others . . .”
Bob Bly [can] write great science fiction. In the tradition of Asimov, Bradbury, and others, these aren’t just stories about a world that isn’t. They’re big ideas wrapped in tight, funny tales. —Jack T.
“they also make you think”
The stories are all unique, clever and quite interesting, ranging from an encounter between Van Helsing and Dracula to how rubber bands multiply and devour paper clips. While written somewhat tongue in cheek, Bly’s stories not only make you laugh, but they also make you think. —C.P.
“Buy this book and discover a genius at work.”
I loved it! The story about the rubber bands is what of those stories that make you go “Hmmm.” Then the story of the guy in the unemployment office totally blew me away. Buy this book and discover a genius at work. —Kenneth Powers
Review Machine Learnings.