The first collection of Geoffrey Landis’ short stories, Impact Parameter features some of the very best work by the award-winning author. The stories mix keen characterization, hard science, humor, and boundary-defying concepts, demonstrating why Landis has received so much attention for his work. Included is his Hugo-winning “A Walk in the Sun,” in which a man must keep moving or perish on the Moon. There’s the bizarre trip through a black hole, an unusual Sherlock Holmes story, a virtual-reality war, and of course, “What We Really Do Here at NASA.” It’s true; it’s a tough job.
Judging by the contents of this collection, Landis is one of those authors who will define science fiction in the years to come, unafraid to push the envelope and really explore those outer limits. His first novel, Mars Crossing, was excellent, but in these stories, his true range shines brightly. The only drawback is that this book was released by a small press, and may be hard to find.