First published 1984
This collection brings together thirteen stories that shaped science fiction. James H. Schmitz introduces readers to the mysterious Witches of Karres, while John D. MacDonald explores human imperfection in Flaw. Peter Phillips examines abundance in Manna, and the writing duo Lewis Padgett reveals a futuristic detective in Private Eye. Henry Kuttner delivers Cold War tensions, Edmond Hamilton presents Alien Earth, and Arthur C. Clarke offers a History Lesson. Clifford D. Simak contemplates what happens when Eternity Lost strikes. Philip MacDonald warns readers to keep out of forbidden territories. Theodore Sturgeon celebrates joy with The Hurkle is a Happy Beast, Ray Bradbury scatters human fragments across space in Kaleidoscope, and Katherine MacLean studies survival instincts in Defense Mechanism. Isaac Asimov closes the volume with The Red Queen's Race, where time itself becomes a puzzle to solve.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, science-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: detective-story, found-family
317 pages · Mass Market Paperback · DAW