Once again, Planet Stories has published a great omnibus volume of Robert Silverberg’s work. The three works in this latest volume, The Planet Killers, features three of Silverberg’s short novels published as halves of ACE Doubles. The Plot Against Earth was published in 1959 (with Milton Lesser’s Recruit for Andromeda on the other side). The Planet Killers was published later in 1959 (with Poul Anderson’s We Claim These Stars! on the other side). One of Our Asteriods is Missing was published in 1964 (with A. E. Van Vogt’s The Twisted Men on the other side). Needless to say, the first two short novels are very pulpy. Silverberg was learning his craft. You’ll see a difference (and more maturity) in Silverberg’s One of Our Asteroids is Missing. A sign of things to come. If you’re a fan of Robert Silverberg, you’ll love this volume and Silverberg’s informative introduction. If you’re curious about Silverberg’s early career, The Planet Killers is the perfect place to start.
I have those Ace editions, and one of them is signed. Don’t know where that one came from.
Is it signed as “Calvin M. Knox” or “Robert Silverberg,” Bill?
I have all three of these in my Ace Double SF collection – I have all the D and most of the F series. I really need to pick up a reference work as I had no idea that one of Silverberg’s pen names was Knox. I think he had a couple of Ace Doubles as Ivar Jorgenson or something like that too. I really liked the Ace books of this period, especially the ones with Emsh covers. As I have said before, his cover of Galactic Derelict was in my opinion the best SF cover of the 50s – and it was good enough that Ace reprinted it on their paperback edition, and I saw it recently used for a collection. It sure caught my eye when I was in 7th grade – the librarian at school had it pinned up on the wall.
I love that EMSH cover on GALACTIC DERELICT, too, Stan. STARHAVEN was Silverberg’s “Ivar Jorgenson” book. It was a hardcover before it became half of an ACE Double. In the Introduction to this PLANET STORIES omnibus edition, Silverberg tells how he got involved with ACE Books and the genesis of all the work he published with them. I found his recollections fascinating.
I’ve got this but have yet to read it or the previous collection. Planet says there is more to come.
And I’ll buy whatever PLANET STORIES publishes, Rick. Sometimes I just like to wallow in nostalgia.
If I remember correctly, the Calvin M. Knox name was thought-up in an attempt to please John W. Campbell.
That Emsh cover for GALACTIC DERELICT was a thing of beauty. And the novel itself was enjoyable.
Right on both counts, Drongo. Silverberg was so prolific publishers had to disguise his work under a dozen pseudonyms. What I like about that EMSH cover of GALACTIC DERELICT is that it actually illustrates a scene from the book.
I’m going to have to read GALACTIC DERELICT one of these days.
THE TIME TRADERS is the first book in the series, Rick.