The Star Beast And Other Stories

Six vintage stories from Science Fiction Grand Master, Damon Knight. First published in the 1940s & 50s, these stories show his diversity from galactic adventure to nihilistic philosophy. Doorway to Kal-Jmar--Two men had died before Syme Rector's guns to give him the key to the ancient city of Kal-Jmar--a city of untold wealth, and of robots that made desires instant commands. The Beachcomber--Alice saw the Beachcomber as a glorious hunk of man; Maxwell saw him as a super being from the future. Tragically, he was both! The Star Beast--They called this strange tentacle-headed blob that had floundered into the System Oscar. They were to learn a better name. The Worshipers--Destiny reached out a hand to Algernon Weaver--but he was a timid man, at first. But on the strange world of Terranova, there was much to be learned--of destiny, and other things.... Blackout-- A short short story that mentions Charles Fort. And it has an idea as strange as any conjectured by Mr. Fort. The Earth Quarter--The Niroi permitted refugees from Earth to live in their cramped little ghetto conditionally: that they do so peacefully. But there will always be patriotic fanatics, like Harkway and Rack, who must disturb the peace ...