Judith Merril’s SF series: The cover we see is that of volume number three.
This Powers’ illustrationis simple in its elements, but still readily recognizable as a Powers cover: A background that horizontally transitions, as if rising through a planet’s murky atmosphere, from darker shades to light. A weirdly asymmetric spacecraft, techy-looking, flies through space. The crescent of a blue planet floats in the distance. The scene is not busy, but it is bold.
The story that left the strongest impression upon me is Brian Aldiss’ “Let’s Be Frank”, which – though I’m not the most ardent fan of Aldiss’ work – I must admit was clever and humorous. Otherwise, note that the last six of the of entries listed below (in order, as they’re found in the book) from “How Near Is the Moon?” to “Science Fiction Still Leads Science Fact” are non-fiction.
A kind of lopsided looking spaceship, is it not?
Contentz?
Introduction (“SF:’58: The Year’s Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy”), Essay by Judith Merril
“Let’s Be Frank”, by Brain W. Aldiss,
from Science Fantasy, June, 1957
“The Fly” (translation of “La mouche”), by George Langelaan,
from Playboy, June, 1957
“Let’s Get Together”, by Isaac Asimov,
from Infinity Science Fiction, February, 1957
“The Wonder Horse”, by George Bryam,
from The Atlantic Monthly, August, 1957
“You Know Willie”, by Theodore R. Cogswell,
from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, May, 1957
“Near Miss”, by Henry Kuttner (Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore),
specifically for this volume
“Game Preserve”, by Rog Phillips,
from If, October, 1957
“Now Let Us Sleep”, by Avram Davidson,
from Venture Science Fiction, September, 1957
“Wilderness” (The People series), by Zenna Henderson,
from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, January, 1957
“Flying High”, by Eugene Ionesco,
from Mademoiselle, October, 1957
“The Edge of the Sea”, by Algis Budrys,
from Venture Science Fiction, March, 1958
“How Near Is the Moon?”, Essay by Judith Merril,
specifically for this volume
“Transition-from Fantasy to Science”, by Arthur C. Clarke, Essay by Arthur C. Clarke,
specifically for this volume
“Sputnik: One Reason Why We Lost”, Essay by G. Harry Stine,
from The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, January, 1958
“Going Up!”, Essay by Dennis Driscoll,
specifically for this volume
“Where Do We Go from Here?”, Essay by Willy Ley,
specifically for this volume
“Science Fiction Still Leads Science Fact”, Essay by Anthony Boucher,
specifically for this volume
The Year’s S-F, Summation and Honorable Mentions
(“SF: The Year’s Greatest Science-Fiction and Fantasy: Third Annual Volume”), Essay by Judith Merril
Look back!
And otherwise?
Internet Speculative Fiction Database
Published Variants of This Book (There are three, as we see!)