First published 1973
This anthology gathers eight stories from Astounding magazine's peak years under John W. Campbell's editorship. Alfred Bester opens with "The Push of a Finger," where a single action threatens catastrophe. Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore contribute two collaborations: "Clash by Night" depicts warfare in a post-apocalyptic world, while "Vintage Season" follows mysterious tourists who arrive at moments of historical significance. A.E. van Vogt's "The Storm" explores the conflicts of genetically enhanced humans. Clifford Simak's "City" envisions a world where dogs inherit civilization from departed humans. Murray Leinster's "First Contact" tackles the problem of two alien species meeting in space for the first time. A. Bertram Chandler's "Giant Killer" pits humans against overwhelming odds. Fredric Brown closes with "Placet Is a Crazy Place," a tale of colonial mishaps on an alien world. These stories span 1942 to 1946, capturing science fiction's rapid evolution during wartime.
Genres: science-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, aliens
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Astounding
Period: 1942-1946
320 pages · Paperback · Sphere Books Ltd