There's a huge prize offered for the first person to land on Mars and wealthy eccentric Dale Curtance is determined to win it. But winning is not going to be easy. There are many surprises along the way and they all began with a stowaway on board his ship — a woman!

Warfare is becoming increasingly a matter of scientific cleverness and power. A nation of 100,000,000 people, who had no arms other than shotguns would be at the mercy of an enemy many times smaller who was armed with the latest of killing devices.Scientific ingenuity for warfare has been turning lately to the development of little known biological devices. In this field there is almost no limit to the fiendish contraptions to make warfare a hell on earth. This tale is a case in po...

"You see, every year this table is reserved on May twenty-eighth. Every year."This classic short story, by the author of The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cookoos (filmed as Village of the Damned ) originally appeared in Galaxy Science Fiction magazine in 1952.Includes an introduction by Karl Wurf.

After the ATOM BOMB—What?This classic short story, by the author of The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cookoos (filmed as Village of the Damned) originally appeared in the classic pulp magazine Startling Stories in 1952.Includes an introduction by Karl Wurf.

Psychologists—and others—are greatly concerned about the effects—possible and assured—of machines and the machine age, on human life and endeavor. But who has ever stopped to consider the possible reactions—or thoughts—of the advanced machine of the future? That, apparently, was left to our brothers across the sea, and one of them at least has done an excellent bit of work on its presentation. Here is a story that is different indeed, and thoroughly English in its atmosphere!This c...

One of the fascinations of the time traveling story lies in the endless source of speculation concerning its manifold possibilities. So many elements of time traveling stories seem to be contrary to reason and lead the thinking reader into all sort of absurd situations.Readers may find some of these apparent contradictions in the present story. Even the scientists of the 22nd century found themselves unable to follow the mysterious program of the owners of the silver vehicles who w...

Empires have risen and fallen; and behind their fates often stand the grim shadows of warlike men who used them as pawns in their ambitions.International war is today facing every large nation and war offices delve feverishly into their archives for new war weapons with which to make an easy conquest of their enemies.Yet we know that a weapon of destruction might become as great a terror to those who use it, as to those whom it is used against. But war-mad men will not list...

When Duncan took Lellie for company he knew it might help preserve his sanity. But what got him wasn't the upkeep—it was the cost!This classic short story, by the author of The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cookoos (filmed as Village of the Damned originally appeared in Colliers in 1952.Includes an introduction by Karl Wurf.

A biochemist discovers a chemical extract from an unusual strain of lichen can slow the ageing process dramatically. But when people suddenly live for hundreds of years, society must change to deal with the new reality of lifespan. Includes a new introduction by Karl Wurf.

David Gore becomes concerned that his twelve-year-old son, Matthew, is too old to have an imaginary friend. His concerns deepen as Matthew becomes increasingly distressed and blames it on arguments with this unseen companion, whom he calls "Chocky". As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the friend is far from imaginary, but is an alien consciousness communicating with Matthew's mind—a fact that is of interest to shadowy government forces.

The odds were eight to one, eight men and a lone girl on the stranded spaceship—but which proved to be the stronger sex?This classic short story, by the author of The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cookoos (filmed as Village of the Damned) originally appeared in Thrilling Wonder Stories in 152.Includes an introduction by Karl Wurf.

John Wyndham's 1951 classic post-apocalypse novel introduced the world to triffids, walking man-eating plants, preying on humanity in a world struck blind by a cosmic disaster. Only a few sighted people remain, and it is up to them to rebuild civilization and keep the triffids at bay—if they can learn to survive in this new world!