Robert Sheckley (1928-2005) was an American science-fiction writer whose utterly original work is noted for its merging of quick wit, philosophical musing and dark satire. His many story collections and novels include Untouched By Human Hands (1954) and Dimension of Miracles (1968). In 2001, he was made Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.
One of the finest debut volumes ever published in the field, and contains several tales which have remained famous, including 'The Monsters' and the superb 'Specialist' ... Sheckley's stories are unfailingly elegant and literate * Science Fiction Encyclopedia * One of science fiction's seminal humourists * The New York Times * Robert Sheckley is the greatest entertainer ever produced by modern science fiction . . . what a feast of wit and intelligence he lays out -- J.G Ballard Robert Sheckley was writing genuinely funny SF before Douglas Adams was born ... It is a crime that most of his great short story collections from the 50s, 60s and 70s are out of print -- Neil Gaiman Robert Sheckley is one of the great funny writers -- Douglas Adams