Man vs. Machine is a collection of original stories edited by Martin H. Greenberg & John Helfers. Technology serves mankind now and but what will the future bring? Some of science fiction's most prolific authors let their imaginations run wild in this amazing anthology. Fifteen innovative tales offer a cautionary look at the shape of things to come.

As someone who has always enjoyed hard science fiction and military sci-fi and the latest advances in technology I was hooked immediately by the premise. Humanity and computers in a battle for supremacy presents an interesting starting point and the promise of some seriously good reading. I dove in expecting to be engaged and I wasn't disappointed. It's always difficult to review an anthology and especially if each story is written by a different author. Often you get a mixed bag, some good and some bad. In this case I enjoyed each one.

The differences between men and machines are explored in Chasing Humanity by Brad Beaulieu, Partnership by William H. Keith and The Difference by L.E. Modesitt and Jr.

In a standout tale, Servant of Death, Jane Lindskold, author of the Firekeeper series, and Fred Saberhagen and creator of the Berserkers, envision humans enhanced with intelligent weapons. Other notable stories of combat include COLD Dead Fingers by Loren L. Coleman, Last of the Fourth by Bill Fawcett and Reiteration by Simon Brown. In Killer App by Richard Dansky an army simulation exercise will stop at nothing to win.

Is it possible to cause the destruction of humankind by misusing current technology? Dark and chilling visions of the future are explored in The Hum by Rick Hautala, Transformation by Stephen Leigh and The Unplug War, by Brendan DuBois. Ed Gorman's Moral Imperative, is a disturbing portrait of what can happen when technology is used to enforce human morality.

In Stalking Old John Bull by Jean Rabe and a boy relates his obsessive quest for revenge. Engines of Desire and Despair by Russell Davis is another tale of pointless retribution.

Last but not least and my personal favorite is " The Historian's Apprentice " by S. Andrew Swann in which a courtesan discovers she is a living relic.

This book is a good blend of well chosen and imaginative stories that provide plots and a level of detail that is usually found in longer works. I find myself picking it up often to reread a story I enjoyed.

Publisher: DAW
ISBN: 978-0756404369
Pages: 320
Price: $7.99