Sat 28 Aug 2021
Diary Review: ANALOG SCIENCE FICTION January 1967.
Posted by Steve under Diary Reviews , Magazines , Reviews[3] Comments
ANALOG SCIENCE FICTION. January 1967. Cover by Chesley Bonestell. Overall rating: 3½ stars.
POUL ANDERSON “Supernova.†Short novel. An inhabited planet is found to be in danger from a nearby supernova, and the Polesotechnic League sends the Trader Team headed by David Falkayn. In exchange for technology capable of saving their world, the Meresians are asked for a base for scientific study and, of course, a chance for profit. Politics follow. Mostly bland. (3)
HARRY HARRISON “A Criminal Act.†Having too many children may someday be a crime against society. [The penalty may be] legalized murder as the answer to the extra life created. (4)
MACK REYNOLDS “Amazon Planet.†Serial, part 2 of 3. See report to follow later.
H. B. FYFE “The Old Shill Game.†Robots shills are programmed to buy from robot vendors to increase sales. (3)
KEITH LAUMER “The Lost Command.†[Bolo #3.] A construction crew accidentally activates a semi-intelligent war-machine buried deep underground after the end of a war ended 70 years before. (4)
August 28th, 2021 at 5:22 pm
You made no comment, but I remember this as a very good issue, with several favorite authors.
August 28th, 2021 at 5:48 pm
Whatever comment I might have made, you’ve already made for me. Yes, this was a better than average issue with, as you say, all major SF authors at the time. All but Fyfe are I think still remembered today.
August 28th, 2021 at 10:35 pm
Van Ryn and Falkayn, the Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin to Anderson’s James Bond, Dominic Flandry. Always a good series if sometimes more idea anc character than story.
Anderson, Laumer, Harrison, Fyfe, and Reynolds, as often happens with these, a remarkable line up for any issue, but fairly common in this era.