Astounding Science Fiction, April 1960 (British Edition)

About this issue

This issue opens with editor John W. Campbell Jr.'s "The Editor's Page," discussing conformity and psi phenomena. Campbell explores how individuals with demonstrated paranormal abilities—such as pipe-locating dowsers, table-tippers, and historical figures like Edgar Cayce and Eusapia Palladino—avoid public recognition of their talents through mechanisms that obscure responsibility. The featured serial is "Deathworld" by Harry Harrison (Part One of Three), illustrated by van Dongen. The narrative introduces Jason dinAlt, a professional gambler, confronted by Kerk Pyrrus—a muscular, gun-skilled stranger who offers him 27 million credits to gamble at a casino and win 3 billion credits. Pyrrus reveals the money was earned mining ore on planet Pyrrus and is now the Pyrric ambassador. Jason agrees despite the high stakes and mortality implied. Novelettes include Poul Anderson's "The Burning Bridge" and Robert Silverberg's "Stress Pattern." Short stories feature Murray Leinster's "Attention Saint Patrick," Christopher Anvil's "A Rose by Other Name," and Randall Garrett's "Viewpoint."