It was a very enjoyable task to select the 20 stories for this collection from many hundreds. It was very arduous as well, because I had to rule out many contending stories after comparing their innumerable conflicting qualities. So, finally, here we have the 20 'winners' presented before you and I assure you, I have given you my best choices. Of course, a number of famous stories, included in many such anthologies, have been carefully excluded to spare you the pains of re-reading.