GALAXY SCIENCE FICTION – December 1967. EditorL Frederik Pohl. Cover artist: Gray Morrow. Overall rating: **½.

POUL ANDERSON “Out[pst of Empire.” Dominic Flandry. Novella. John Ridenour is sent as a troubleshooter to find out why the natives of Freehold seem to be rising up against the planet’s colonists, The situation is complicated by the was against Merseia because of Freehold’s strategic position near the empire’s boundary. Ridenour’s discovers, although slowly, that the natives, who have applied the scientific method to the problem of living in the wilderness, are more fit to represent the planet for Earth. Flower power!
   Anderson is inclined to long-winded explanations here – even his characters realize it – and the story begins in the middle, and continues with unbelievable sluggishness. Plus a singularly obtuse ending, as it makes its way to an effective solution, ruins the rest. **½

[Note: I am informed that this is a Dominic Flandry story, but since I didn’t mention him back when I wrote this review, I cannot tell you what his role in it is now.]

RICHARD WILSON “The South Waterford Rumble Club.” Aliens flood Earth with counterfeit money, Rather dumb, but I was hopeful until the end, (1)

ROBERT SILVERBERG “King of the Golden World.” A woman who marries an alien chieftain realizes her responsibilities. (3)

FRITZ LEIBER “Black Corridor.” A man’s choices, or what makes makes a man. Nothing to add except style, (4)

PHILIP LATHAM “The Red Euphoria Bands.” The diary of an astronomer who discovers a comet’s beneficial properties. (3)

JOHN BRUNNER “Galactic Consumer Report No. 3.” Non-fact article.Ish, (0)

LARRY NIVEN “Handicap.” Novelette. Known Space. Some races have intelligence, but have no means to implement it. The ending fails because Niven assumes familiarity with his created universe, A potentially higher rating otherwise. (4)

HARRY HARRISON “The Fairly Civil Service,” A civil service of the future. (2)

Rating: **

— May 1969 .