Astounding Science Fiction, volume 23, number 5
Item
Title
Astounding Science Fiction, volume 23, number 5
Editor
Table Of Contents
Novelettes: Black Destroyer by A.E. van Vogt; City of the Cosmic Rays by Nat Schachner; Greater than Gods by C.L. Moore/ Short Stories: Trends by Isaac Asimov; Lightship, Ho! by Nelson S. Bond; The Moth by Ross Rocklynne; When the half gods go by Amelia R. Long/ Articles: Tools for Brains by Leo Vernon; Geography for Time Travellers by Willy Ley/ Readers' Department: The Editor's Page; In Times to Come; The Analytical Laboratory; Brass Tacks and Science Discussions
Cover Description
A dark gargoyle like beast crouched on a rock in the foreground bares its fangs at a landed blimp/rocket-like airship in the distance with humanoid workers in space suits around it.
Notable Details
This issue is historically significant because it marks the beginning of John W. Campbell’s tenure as editor of Astounding. His editorial decisions had great influence on the development of the genre; several of the major science fiction writers of the era (Issac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, A.E. Vogt, etc.) began their publishing careers during his time at the magazine. For this reason, this issue is considered by many to mark the beginning of SF’s “Golden Age.” It is also noteworthy because it contains "The Black Destroyer," the first published story by prominent Canadian SF author A.E. Vogt.
List of contributing authors
Cover Artist
Graves Gladney
List of illustrators
Gilmore, Kramer, Ley, Orban, Schneeman, Wesso
Publisher
Street & Smith Publications
Format
24cm long, 16.5cm wide, 1cm tall
Date
July 1939
