by David Drake
first published in the pages of Analog Science Fact & Fiction, September 1977
short story
While vacationing with his wife in a cabin in the Smokies, a fighter pilot-turned-senator is abducted by a UFO.
A Nazi UFO!
Hindsight
by Jack Williamson
first published in the pages of Astounding Science-Fiction, May 1940
short story
A brilliant inventor helps a space pirate wage war on the inventor’s college buddies as the last stop before conquering Earth. But overclocking one’s prediction-oriented battle computer may have unforeseen repercussions.
Superiority
by Arthur C. Clarke
first published in the pages of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, August 1951
short story
The supreme commander of a species’s armed forces, shortly after total defeat by less-advanced aliens and his subsequent imprisonment, writes a letter to the Court in an attempt to explain why they lost.
A Question of Courage
by J. F. Bone
first published in the pages of Amazing Stories, December 1960
novelette
A hyperspace scout ship with a serious morale problem finally sees combat. The XO must decide if the ship’s commander is up to the task… or if drastic measures must be taken.
Eric Frank Russell on Schlock Value
Thomas over at sister site Schlock Value reviewed a 1965 novel by Eric Frank Russell a little over a year ago. If you enjoyed reading about “Allamagoosa,” check out The Mindwarpers. Or even if you didn’t! It’s… different.
Allamagoosa
by Eric Frank Russell
first published in the pages of Astounding Science-Fiction, May 1955
short story
A surprise inspection cuts short shore leave for the tired crew of an interstellar warship. The hull must be painted, the decks scrubbed, and literally every item on board inventoried.
But a mystery item appears on the checklist and no one aboard can identify it, much less put their hands on it.
C-Chute [Addendum]
Close to the middle of “C-Chute” was a word choice I found bizarre. I wasn’t going to bring it up in my review, but then it began to bother me while I slept, so I figure I have to get it out of my head. Here’s the relevant paragraph:
C-Chute
by Isaac Asimov
first published in the pages of Galaxy Science Fiction, October 1951
novelette
In the midst of an interstellar war with an alien race, a merchant ship is boarded. It’s up to six civilian passengers to retake the vessel before it can be returned to the alien home world.
Unfortunately, personalities come into play and threaten to ruin what little hope they have left.
The Only Thing We Learn
by C.M. Kornbluth
first published in the pages of Startling Stories, July 1949
short story
A military academy’s professor of “archaeo-literature” sets his students straight on the truth of their Empire’s history while meanwhile in the past that history plays out.
It’s a blend of listening to a lecture and watching dots move across a radar screen that isn’t boring like I just made it sound.
Beachheads IN SPACE
edited by August Derleth
published by Berkley Books, 1957
seven stories
Beachheads IN SPACE was a fun anthology to open the site with. The stories were more varied than I was expecting, and my reactions to them ranged from childlike thrill to language not suitable for children.
Rocket Shorts 