I have a substantial backlog of purchases from my “productive” book hunting Spring Break in Texas….
I’ve read Alfred Bester’s The Demolished Man (1952), which I loved, and The Stars My Destination (1956), which I mostly enjoyed, however I’ve rarely seen his short story collections in used book stores. I snatched up the gorgeous covered The Dark Side of the Earth (1956). I suspect Bester is even better at short stories than his novel length works….
The Time of the Great Freeze (1964) is considered one of Robert Silverberg’s best pulp works. On indirect advise of my friend Michael Dalke at Potpourri of Science Fiction Literature, I’ve procured more of Gordon R. Dickson’s short works… Thankfully, he hasn’t reviewed the collection The Star Road (1973) yet (I think) — we have a “rivalry.” Haha.
I’ve already reviewed the short story collection edited by Donald Wollheim, The End of the World (1956) (MY REVIEW), and highly recommend it. A few of the stories are duds but two are in my top 5 short work list. Philip K. Dick’s ‘Impostor’ (1953) alone is reason enough to track down the volume.
1. The Dark Side of the Earth (1964), Alfred Bester (MY REVIEW)
(Uncredited cover for the 1964 edition)
2. The Star Road (1973), Gordon R. Dickson
(Eddie Jones’ cover for the 1974 edition)
3. Time of the Great Freeze (1964), Robert Silverberg (MY REVIEW)
(Schaare’s cover for the 1966 edition)
4. The End of the World (1956), ed. Donald Wollheim (MY REVIEW)
(Ed Emshwiller’s? cover for the 1956 edition)
Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations 
I’ve never heard of The Great Freeze. I’ll be interested to hear more about it.
And about the Bester. I consider The Demolished Man and The Stars My Destination among the finest sf literature ever published.
I’m very curious about his short works — I think he’s perfectly suitable for the short story format considering the nature of The Demolished Man and The Stars My Destination.
I’m excited about Silverberg’s pulpish work 🙂
*tipping my hat* The Star Road is all yours! Haven’t picked up any more Dickson collection yet, but I do have two of his novels on my shelves… The Alien Way, among them.
Haha, although I suspect you’re really suspicious of my recommendations now…. You want plot driven, ably written, works — hehe. Dickson does fit that bill!