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This is the Coronet Books paperback (third impression 1973). It contains seven stories.
To my surprise I really enjoyed this anthology. The stories are all intergalactic rollercoasters full of intrigue and manage to be pleasantly complex.
Despite my comments above, I do not know enough about science fiction to give a detailed review. I’m also concerned that in the detail I might give away too much of the storylines. My main motivation for reviewing is to give an easily accessible list of contents to those browsing through anthologies on Amazon.
Here is a list of contents giving a brief introduction to each story (definitely not plot spoiling):
(1) “Flatlander” by Larry Niven (1967)
First lines: “The most beautiful girl aboard turned out to have a husband with habits so solitary that I didn’t know about him until the second week.”
A jaunt across the galaxy with Beowulf Shaeffler and his friend Elephant.
(2) “The Crime and the Glory of Commander Suzdal” by Cordwainer Smith (1963)
First lines: “Commander Suzdal was sent forth in a shell-ship to explore the outermost reaches of our galaxy. His ship was called a cruiser, but he was the only man in it.”
Another story from the vast history of the Instrumentality.
(3) “Overproof” by Jonathan Blake Mackenzie (1965) (pseudonym of Randall Garrett)
The Darotha are the first intelligent extraterrestrial race encountered by humankind. Dennis and Blanche Dawson have come to Sandaroth determined to prove that the native humanoids are intelligent and are suffering at the hands of the Darotha.
(4) “Poor Planet” by J.T. McIntosh (1964)
First lines: “I never was the tough he-man lady-killer type of spy even when I was younger.”
Tom Harrison is landing at Arneville, capital of the planet Solitaire.
(5) “ Shamar’s War” by Kris Neville (1964)
Captain Merle S. Shaeffer is trained for three years and then secretly landed on Itra with a brief to preach liberty and foment change.
(6) “The Tactful Saboteur” by Frank Herbert (1964)
Jorj X. Mckie is a high ranking saboteur in the Bureau of Sabotage. Things get complicated, not least because another agent is a Pan-Spechi.
(7) “Ministry of Disturbance” by H. Beam Piper (1958)
His Imperial Majesty Paul XVII manages to be patient with the demands placed on him.
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Synopsis
A glittering galaxy of pure science-fiction...the passions of today in all the possible postures of tomorrow...depths we know hot how to dream of...desires we know not how to imagine. Authors are Larry Niven, Cordwainer Smith, Jonathan Blake Mackenzie, J T McIntosh, Kris Neville, Frank Herbert & H Beam Piper.
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2008Format: PaperbackA glittering galaxy of pure science-fiction...the passions of today in all the possible postures of tomorrow...depths we know hot how to dream of...desires we know not how to imagine. Authors are Larry Niven, Cordwainer Smith, Jonathan Blake Mackenzie, J T McIntosh, Kris Neville, Frank Herbert & H Beam Piper.
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