H. L. Gold (1914–1996)

The best thing about this old science fiction digest is the awesome cover done by the legendary Ed Emshwiller. But it is what it is.
The book reviews are from Groff Conklin who was becoming one of the premier anthology editors of the era. (I note that LT tells me that Conklin died on this day, July 19, in 1968.)The funniest of the reviews is the one for "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" which was just out and not yet made into several movies. Get this: "There is absolutely nothing wrong with this novel, which was fist serialized in Collier's, except that it has been done again and again and again. Too many s-f novels lack outstanding originality, but this one lacks it to an outstanding degree." Two years ago I read the edition that Jack Finney revised for the 1978 film. I gave it 4+ stars. For a 50's novel it is great, and excellent no matter what decade. Pooh pooh Mr Conklin book reviewer, sir. I think you swung and missed. Bring on the pod people.

Here's an abbreviated breakout of the contents courtesy of isfdb:

2 • And He Sez • Editor's Page • essay by H. L. Gold
4 • The Mapmakers • novelette by Frederik Pohl • interior artwork by Ashman
40 • Spoken For • short story by William Morrison • interior artwork by Ed Emshwiller
48 • Property of Venus • novelette by L. Sprague de Camp • interior artwork by Mel Hunter
69 • Forecast
70 • For Your Information: The Orbital (Unmanned) Satellite Vehicle • essay by Willy Ley
81 • Deadhead • short story by Robert Sheckley • interior artwork by Dick Francis
90 • Galaxy's 5 Star Shelf • book reviews by Groff Conklin
90 • Review: Year of Consent by Kendell Foster Crossen • review by Groff Conklin
90 • Review: The Other Side of Here by Murray Leinster • review by Groff Conklin
90 • Review: One Against Eternity by A. E. van Vogt • review by Groff Conklin
91 • Review: The Visionary Novels of George MacDonald: Lilith, Phantastes by George MacDonald • review by Groff Conklin
92 • Review: The Maker of Moons by Robert W. Chambers • review by Groff Conklin
92 • Review: The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney • review by Groff Conklin
92 • Review: A Man Obsessed by Alan E. Nourse • review by Groff Conklin
92 • Review: The Last Planet by Andre Norton • review by Groff Conklin
92 • Review: Few Were Left by Harold Rein • review by Groff Conklin
93 • Review: Tyrant of Time by Lloyd Arthur Eshbach • review by Groff Conklin
93 • Review: Undersea Quest by Frederik Pohl and Jack Williamson • review by Groff Conklin
94 • The Amateurs • short story by Alan Cogan interior artwork by Diehl
104 • Preferred Risk (Part 2 of 4) • serial by Lester del Rey and Frederik Pohl as by Edson McCann • interior artwork by Sanford Kossin

Robert Day has written a very good review of the digest here on LT. I found the stories agreeable. The slightly zany 'Property of Venus' was old fashioned but fun. Some of the other stories made you think. I did lightly skim a bit. I also enjoyed the advertisements. The Science Fiction Book Club would make free reservations for your round trip to the moon!… (mais)