The book collects ten novellas, novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with an introduction, notes and concluding essays by Carr and Charles N. Brown.

The exception is "Scenes from the Country of the Blind," which originally appeared in the British anthology A Book of Contemporary Nightmares in 1977.

Dave Langford reviewed The Best Science Fiction of the Year 13 for White Dwarf #61, and stated that "Most stories were shortlisted for major awards.

[citation needed] "Servant of the People" was nominated for the 1984 Hugo Award for Best Short Story and placed fourth in the 1984 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story.

[citation needed] "Amanda and the Alien" placed eleventh in the 1984 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story.