The Best of Planet Stories, No. 1

"The Best of Planet Stories #1" is a 1975 anthology edited by Leigh Brackett that collects seven of the top stories from the 16 years (1939-1955) that the famous science fiction pulp magazine was published. In addition to stories by writers like Ray Bradbury and Poul Anderson, the book contains a fascinating introduction by Brackett -- herself a frequent contributor to Planet -- that discusses the state of the genre and defends Planet's somewhat seedy reputation for publishing science fiction "soap operas" that featured scantily-clad damsels in distress on it's covers.It's also interesting to note that "The Best of Planet Stories #1" was published 20 years after the demise of the magazine. Although publisher Ballantine Books intended "The Best of Planet Stories" to be a series, no further volumes ever appeared.ContentsIntroduction: Beyond Our Narrow Skies • essay by Leigh BrackettLorelei of the Red Mist • (1946) • novella by Leigh Brackett and Ray BradburyThe Star-Mouse • short fiction by Fredric Brown (variant of The Star Mouse 1942) [as by Frederic Brown -- Brown's first name is misspelled throughout the volume]Return of a Legend • (1952) • short story by Raymond Z. GallunQuest of Thig • (1942) • short story by Basil WellsThe Rocketeers Have Shaggy Ears • (1950) • novella by Keith BennettThe Diversifal • (1945) • short story by Ross RocklynneDuel on Syrtis • (1951) • short story by Poul Anderson