I bought this ACE Double back in 1965 and quickly read it. Monsters in Orbit is presented as a novel, but it is actually two novellas, both featuring the same protagonist. The novellas were published in Thrilling Wonder Stories in 1952, “Abercrombie Station” in the February issue, and “Cholwell’s Chickens” in the August issue.

According to Rich Horton of the excellent Strange at Ecbatan blog, the stories in The World Between and Other Stories are:

“The World Between” (10,600 words, from the May 1953 Future, wherein it was called “Ecological Onslaught”) — a team from the Blue Star, all names starting with “B”, finds a planet in between their home and the rival Kay system (yes, all names starting with “K”). They claim it and begin terraforming efforts, but the Kay people, including a beautiful spy, drop off pests to spoil all the terraforming. The “hero” (ambiguously so) finds a clever counter to this, and wins the love of the spy in the process. Minor but somewhat intriguing in its ecological themes.

“The Moon Moth” (13,900 words, from Galaxy, August 1961) — a classic story, about Edwer Thissell, newly come to Sirene, where everyone wears masks and abides by extremely fussy rules of manners. Edwer finally takes advantage of the rigidity of Sirenese society to gain extra status.

“Brain of the Galaxy” (9200 words, from Worlds Beyond, February 1951 — it has later been retitled “The New Prime”) — the “ruler” of the galaxy is chosen by a battle of virtual experiences in various environments. A pretty good story, actually — one of the best of Vance’s earliest pieces.

“The Devil on Salvation Bluff” (8300 words, from Fred Pohl’s pioneering original anthology series Star, #3, 1954) — colonists on a world with an eccentric orbit and multiple suns have a hard time adapting to the unpredictability.

“The Men Return” (3300 words, from the July 1957 Infinity) — far in the future reality is slippery and arbitrary. But with sufficient will and rationality … a neat, very different, story.

*Ballantine/Del Rey had put out a series of “Best Of” collections of authors such as Stanley Weinbaum, C. L. Moore, Lester Del Rey and many others, beginning in 1974. Pocket, apparently in response, started their own series, with entries from Vance and Poul Anderson among others.”

I consider “The Moon Moth” one of Jack Vance’s best stories. Rereading this ACE Double brought back a lot of fun memories. Are you a fan of ACE Doubles? GRADE: A