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Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition
Astounding Science Fiction, May 1955 (British Edition) This issue features Raymond F. Jones's short novel "The School," about solving advanced technical problems and the role of expert instruction. The cover art, by Bonestell, depicts Mars viewed from Phobos. The issue also includes a novelette, "On the Care and Breeding of Pigs" by Rex Jatko, and short stories: "Special Effect" by J. Anthony Ferlaine, "Eight Seconds" by M.O. Pease, and "Pack Rat Planet" by Frank Herbert. An article, "Scanning and Form" by Richard C. Pinkerton, appears alongside regular departments including the Editorial, The Analytical Laboratory, The Reference Library (by P. Schuyler Miller), and Brass Tacks. Editor John W. Campbell Jr. discusses statistical versus intuitive generalizations, emphasizing the limitations of statistical methods for individual cases. The excerpted novel beginning shows test pilot Parker evaluating the advanced XB-91 bomber while engineer Gunderson expresses doubts about technological progress despite the aircraft's success.