How to summarize the psychedelic, witty, helter-skelter mind of Harlan Ellison? A mind that refused to be contained by something as rudimentary as genre, form, or even a particular label. A mind that created some of the most outrageous short stories and novellas of the science fiction, fantasy, and speculative genres--including "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream," with its unhinged artificial intelligence bent on torturing what is left of humanity, and "Jeffty Is Five," featuring a young boy's mysterious, time-bending powers. A mind that passionately identified with the underdog, sometimes with disastrous results. A mind incandescent with fury, that saw storytelling as "a holy chore." Assembled by the Harlan and Susan Ellison Foundation, Greatest Hits is an overview of Ellison's award-winning and highly acclaimed short stories--as well as the stories that Ellison himself most treasured. Featuring a preface by Ellison's executor and friend J. Michael Straczynski, a foreword by award-winning and bestselling author Neil Gaiman, and an introduction by bestselling author Cassandra Khaw, this collection of short stories and novellas serves as a guide to a writer who left his mark on the twentieth century--and whose legacy is in your hands.

Preface /by J. Michael Straczynski -- Foreword / by Neil Gaiman -- Introduction / by Cassandra Khaw --Angry gods. "Repent, harlequin," said the Ticktockman (1966) -- I have no mouth, and I must scream (1967) -- The deathbird (1974) -- Chatting with Anubis (1995) -- The whimper of whipped dogs (1973) -- Lost souls. Jeffty is five (1977) -- Pretty Maggie Moneyeyes (1967) -- Shatterday (1980) -- Mefisto in onyx (1993) -- On the downhill side (1972) -- The passage of time. Paladin of the lost hour (1986) -- The beast that shouted love at the heart of the world (1969) -- I'm looking for Kadak (1974) -- How interesting: a tiny man (2010) -- The lighter side. Djinn, no chaser (1983) -- How's the night life on Cissalda? (1977) -- From a to z, in the chocolate alphabet (1976) -- Eidolons (1989) -- The last word. All the lies that are my life (1981).