ABOUT C. M. KORNBLUTH

WHEN, after a long and impressive career in the science-fiction magazines, C. M. Kornbluth published his first novel, TAKEOFF, the New York Herald Tribune predicted that the book "should establish him firmly among the top-flight contemporaries in the field." That was all of two years ago. Since then there have appeared THE SPACE MERCHANTS, written with Frederik Pohl; THE SYNDIC; SEARCH THE SKY (with Pohl again); a pseudonymous historical novel; and a number of science-fiction short stories and novelettes—the latest of which, "Gomez," makes its first appearance in print in this collection.

Since his first published story appeared fourteen years ago, it is hard to realize that Mr. Kornbluth is still just a shade past thirty. "I was born in New York City in 1923," he writes, "and was educated in the city schools as far as freshman year at C. C. N. Y. when I was dropped for the usual reasons. I had already begun to contribute to the science-fiction magazines and became a full-time writer after leaving college, though most people regarded me as an unemployed bum. I weakened once to the extent of getting a job as a hand-screw-machine operator, but quit after a few months to enlist in the army. In three years of service I acquired a wife, a combat infantry badge, two ETO campaign stars, a PFC stripe, and a constant ringing in the ears. After my discharge I settled in Chicago where I combined writing blood-and-guts detective stories with acquiring an education according to the precepts of the University of Chicago. A friend managing the local bureau of a moribund news agency got me a job on its desk, and it was good-by, Chancellor Hutchins. I rose to bureau chief eventually, paralleling the news job with contributions to the science-fiction magazines and such fantastic chores as writing a syndicated review of phonograph records for children. In 1951, at the urging of my wife, my agent, and my doctor, I resigned my job to come east as a full-time free-lance writer again. Since then I've sired two children and eleven books, including this one. I live now in a Tioga County, New York, farm house, and visit New York City infrequently. I drive a senile Ford timidly and not well; I like to cook, specializing in Italian and Chinese dishes. I have been accused of being a compulsive reader. My writing habits have changed over the years from white-hot all-night sessions to a-little-every-day and plenty of polishing. I have no formal hobbies, but am interested in practically every human activity except sports. I have no settled opinions about writing; currently I'm concerned most over the invasion of science fiction by exponents of the so-called 'mandarin style.' "