A first anthology of Australian SF (and Fantasy). Baxter points out no local professional magazine, hence work being submitted overseas (Analog, et. al.), and no really overt coming to grips with Australian themes. Bryning does have a Woomera station in space, though. :)

The barriers to progress are formidable, he says. Howevever, with this paving the way, just now we have a Hugo nominated Australian editor, and an Egan double. So, Mr. Baxter, your toil has not been wasted. Well done.

The stories here average 3.50, too, also pretty good for first cab off the rank.

Pacific Book of ASF1 : Burning Spear - Kit Denton
Pacific Book of ASF1 : It Could Be You - Frank Roberts
Pacific Book of ASF1 : The Evidence - Lee Harding
Pacific Book of ASF1 : An Ounce of Dissension - Martin Loran
Pacific Book of ASF1 : The Weather in the Underworld - Colin Free
Pacific Book of ASF1 : All My Yesterdays - Damien Broderick
Pacific Book of ASF1 : Final Flower - Stephen Cook
Pacific Book of ASF1 : For Men Must Work - Frank Bryning
Pacific Book of ASF1 : The Beach - John Baxter
Pacific Book of ASF1 : All Laced Up - A. Bertram Chandler
Pacific Book of ASF1 : Strong Attraction - Ron Smith
Pacific Book of ASF1 : There Is a Crooked Man - Jack Wodhams

Lighthugger.

3 out of 5

All cut up about winning.

5 out of 5

Watcher guilt.

4 out of 5

Library ship revolution.

3 out of 5

Meal conditioning.

3.5 out of 5

Lazarus Longtime.

3.5 out of 5

Trapflower. Name maybe a clue, eh?

3.5 out of 5

Rocket science save.

3 out of 5

Breasting the waves.

3 out of 5

Future woman's antique antics.

4 out of

Ugly alien shagger.

3 out of 5

Well of course super gorillas, etc., are tempting.

3.5 out of 5

3.5 out of 5
http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-pacific-book-of-australian.html ( )