Willy Ley

The fascinating story behind the history-making flight of the American rocket Ranger VII -- what science has learned about the moon's topography, orbit, origins -- the scientific facts revealed by actual close-up investigation. Also given is a second by second countdown of the historic flight of Ranger VII and a chronology of the U.S. and Soviet attempts to reach the moon.

To the Hills! - essay by H. L. Gold The Caves of Steel (Part 1 of 3) - serial by Isaac Asimov The Model of a Judge - short story by William Morrison For Your Information: Earth Tunnels - essay by Willy Ley The Carnivore - short story by Katherine MacLean [as by G. A. Morris] Origins of Galactic Etiquette - short story by Edward Wellen With a Vengeance - short story by J. B. Woodley Galaxy's Five Star Shelf - essay by Groff Conklin At the Post - novelette by H. L. Gold

History and survey of the future purposes of our space-programs, based on U.S. government reports, and pointing up their peaceful applications.

Did you ever wonder how a journey to Mars would be carried out? The Exploration of Mars by Willie Ley and Werner Von Braun is an excellent book which takes the reader step-by-step through the process of preparation for the voyage to Mars, the launch and transit of two ships to the Red Planet. Details are exhaustive. Another unique thing about this plan is that it only uses technology available in 1956; and assumes nothing! This book is quite a ride!

Kings Who Die - novelette by Poul Anderson The Last Question - short story by Isaac Asimov How Beautiful with Banners - short story by James Blish Daybroke - short story by Robert Bloch Who Goes There? - novella by John W. Campbell, Jr. [as by John W. Campbell] Dog Star - short story by Arthur C. Clarke The Monster - short story by Lester del Rey Dust - short story by Lloyd Arthur Eshbach The Prophets of Doom - essay by Hugo Gernsback The Long Watch - short story by Robert A. Heinlein Sanity - short story by Fritz Leiber The Meaning of the Word "Impossible" - essay by Willy Ley SF, the Spirit of Youth - essay by Frank R. Paul From The Skylark of Space (excerpt) - short fiction by Edward E. Smith The Hurkle Is a Happy Beast - short story by Theodore Sturgeon Abdication - novelette by E. Mayne Hull and A. E. van Vogt

Discusses some of the scientific discoveries made since the mid-nineteenth century that led to the formulation of the theory of continental drift. Also discusses earlier theories that attempted to explain these discoveries.

Describes prehistoric life forms of various geographic areas around the world as revealed by the studies of paleontologists.