The Best of Lester del Rey

Copyright

Published by Baliantine Books

Copyright © 1978 by Lester del Rey Introduction: The Magnificent. Copyright © 1978 by Frederik Pohl

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.

Published in the United States by Baliantine Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York and simultaneously in Canada by Baliantine Books of Canada, Ltd., Toronto, Canada.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 78-62267

ISBN 0-345-27336-2

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Baliantine Books Edition: September 1978

Cover art by H. R. Van Dongen

“Helen O’Loy,” copyright © 1938 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Astounding Science Fiction, December 1938.

The Day Is Done,” copyright © 1939 by Street & Smith’ Publications, Inc., for Astounding Science Fiction, May 1939.

The Coppersmith,” copyright © 1939 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Unknown, September 1939.

“Hereafter, Inc.,” copyright © 1941 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Unknown Worlds, December 1941.

The Wings of Night,” copyright © 1942 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Astounding Science Fiction, March 1942.

“Into Thy Hands,” copyright © 1945 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Astounding Science Fiction, August 1945.

“And It Comes Out Here,” copyright © 1951 by World Editions, Inc., for Galaxy Science Fiction, February 1951.

The Monster,” copyright © 1951 by Popular Publications, Inc., for Argosy magazine.

The Years Draw Nigh,” copyright © 1951 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Astounding Science Fiction, October 1951.

“Instinct,” copyright © 1952 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Astounding Science Fiction, January 1952.

“Superstition,” copyright © 1954 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc., for Astounding Science Fiction, August 1954.

“For I Am a Jealous People,” copyright © 1954 by Baliantine Books, Inc., for Star Short Novels.

The Keepers of the House,” copyright © 1955 by King-Size Publications, Inc., for Fantastic Universe, January 1956.

“Little Jimmy,” copyright © 1957 by Fantasy House, Inc., for Fantasy and Science Fiction, April 1957.

“The Seat of Judgment,” copyright © 1957 by Fantasy House, Inc., for Venture Science Fiction, July 1957.

“Vengeance Is Mine,” copyright © 1964 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation for Galaxy Science Fiction, December 1964.