Astounding Science Fiction, July 1939

Book excerpt: A reprint of the issue of Astounding Science Fiction that is widely considered to be the first great issue under the editorship of John W. Campbell, Jr. Astounding Science Fiction as edited by Campbell was the pre­mier magazine of the golden age of American science fiction. This special reprint edition ably demonstrates why the science fiction magazines of that era were so important to the develop­ment of modern science fiction into the popular and important literary form it is today. Unquestionably a classic issue, it begins with the cover story, "Black Destroyer," the first published work of A. E. van Vogt and also features "Trends" by Isaac Asimov, his first sale to Astounding. Significant as these debuts are, it is the overall strength of the issue that finally impresses. These are stories by some of the best-known writers in the field: Nat Schachner, "City of the Cosmic Rays"; Nelson S. Bond, "Lightship Ho!"; Ross Rocklynne, "The Moth"; C. L. Moore (one of the first women to achieve prominence in writing science fiction), "Greater than Gods"; as well as thought-provoking articles on nuclear energy, computers, and hemispheric migration. But this new edition is far more than just a fine reprint of an important issue. There is a commentary on Astounding by Stanley Schmidt (the current editor of Analog Science Fiction / Science Fact, the successor to Astounding)and memoirs of the stories and the magazine by Isaac Asimov, A. E. van Vogt, and Ross Rocklynne.