JAMES WHITE – All Judgment Fled. Serialized in If SF, December 1967 through February 1968. Walker, US, hardcover, 1969. Ballantine, US, paperback, 1969. Reprinted several times thereafter.

   An alien ship comes to a stop within the solar system without a sign of life, and a crew of six on two P-ships is sent to investigate, All kinds of problems arise, die to close confinement, added to by the pressures of an eavesdropping audience (all of Earth), and of course the uncertain status of the ship, which refuses to answer any form of attempted communication.

   Things are a mess inside the alien ship as well. A part of the cargo, specimens of some kind, have escaped and taken over the ship. But that is just a theory. Are the creatures intelligent? If so, how can they be contacted?

   Unbelievable behavior that is hard to justify ensues, but perhaps that is the point. Men are, or can be, incredibly stupid. And is the cargo animals were so hostile [PLOT WARNING] why should they even be tested for space survival? Terrible.

Rating: *