GALAXY SCIENCE FICTION – February 1968. Editor: Frederik Pohl, Cover artist: Vaughn Bodé. Overall rating: ***

POUL ANDERSON “A Tragedy of Errors.” Novelette. What initially strikes the reader as another tale of derring-do in the Dark Ages of a space empire gradually becomes the description of the effects at rcommunication as it is rebuilt. Perhaps because of Anderson’s style, which is beginning to grate, the SFnal puzzle surrounding the planet of  castaways’ landing is boring, but their problem with changing language is interesting. Almost a happy ending. **

TERRY CARR & ALEXEI PANSHIN “The Planet Shammers.” The collectors get collected; written around the Bodé cpver. (1)

FRITZ LEIBER “Crazy Annaoj.” Anecdote of a successful woman. Purpose? (1)

ROBERT SHECKLEY “Street of Dreams, Feet of Clay.” Novelette. A perfect city, except for the presence of somebody telling you what you should do. Who? Exactly. (4)

ROBERT BLOCH “Sales of a Deathman.” Provides an opportunity for puns, and how can that be serious? (1)

BRIAN W. ALDISS “Total Environment.” Novelette. The dream of sociologists, sponsored by the Indian government under the observation s of the UN – a completely contained population project. Purpose: development of ESP or other survival traits in humans. With population pressure off, Dixit is sent inside to report on possible closure. An inconclusive ending that is known from the start. Is there more? (4)

R. A. LAFFERTY “How Thay Gave It Back.” Manhattan is sold back to the Indians. (3)

KEITH LAUMER “The Big Show.” Novelette. A wild and stupid starry of what to do with the banality of TV. Actor Lew Jentry is sent by the CIA to stop a plan to blanket all television. (2)