The Penguin Science Fiction Omnibus

Chandler has remembered what many writers forget: that human beings travelling in space will not necessarily shed human characteristics; they will still place undue importance on minor details - for instance, a cuff link. So he produces a tale of cunning simplicity
- Brian Aldiss

• New Worlds 65 November 1957
• Amazing Stories July 1958
• PENGUIN SCIENCE FICTION, Penguin (UK) 1961
• THE PENGUIN SCIENCE FICTION OMNIBUS, Penguin (UK), 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980
• SCIENCE FICTION, John Murray (UK), 1978

 

Short Story

Here is a challenge-to-the-Reader story, a stimulating puzzle for you to solve: How could you prove to a wholly alien life-form that you are a rational being? To the survivors of the wrecked spaceship Lode Star it was a challenge of a more vital sort - a riddle of life or death. I doubt if any reader will soon forget Mr. Chandler's pointed answer.

Story Publications

• Fantasy & Science Fiction June 1957
• Authentic Science Fiction July 1957
• The Best From Fantasy and Science Fiction 7, 1958
• 12 Great Classics of Science Fiction, (US), 1963
• Yet More Penguin Science Fiction, Penguin, (UK), 1964, 1966
• SF68 - SABC Radio Broadcast, 1968
• The Penguin Science Fiction Omnibus , Penguin, (UK), 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980
• Anthropology Through Science Fiction, St. Martin's Press, (New York), 1974
• Criminal Justice Through Science Fiction, Franklin Watts, (London / New York), 1977
• Science Fiction of the 50's, Avon, (New York), 1979
• Science Fiction A to Z, Houghton Mifflin, (Boston), 1982
• From Sea to Shining Star, Dreamstone, 1990
• Space Stories, Robinson's Childrens Books, 1996
• The Best Australian Science Fiction Writing, Black Inc., (Australia), 2004