... And Some Were Human

"...and some were human." is the first story collection by science fiction writer Lester del Rey, originally published in hardcover by Prime Press in 1948 in an edition of 3,050 copies if which 50 were specially bound, slipcased and signed by the author. The stories first appeared in Astounding and Unknown. An abridged paperback edition, including only eight of the twelve stories, was issued by Ballantine Books in 1961. A Spanish translation, reportedly dropping only one story, appeared in 1957.[1]

... And Some Were Human
First edition
AuthorLester del Rey
IllustratorS. Levin
Cover artistL. Robert Tschirky
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction and fantasy short stories
PublisherPrime Press
Publication date
1948
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages331 pp
OCLC1962580

Contents
  • "Foreword"
  • "Hereafter, Inc." (Unknown 1941)
  • "The Day Is Done" (Astounding 1939)
  • "Forsaking All Others" (Unknown 1939)
  • "The Coppersmith"* (Unknown 1939)
  • "The Luck of Ignatz" ( Astounding 1939)
  • "The Faithful"* (Astounding 1938)
  • "Dark Mission" (Astounding Jul 1940)
  • "Helen O'Loy" (Astounding 1938)
  • "The Stars Look Down"* (Astounding 1940)
  • "The Renegade" (Astounding 1943)
  • "The Wings of Night" (Astounding 1942)
  • "Nerves"* (Astounding Sep 1942)

Stories marked with an asterisk* were omitted from the Ballantine paperback. "Helen O'Loy" was reportedly omitted from the Spanish translation.[2]

Reception

Sam Moskowitz wrote that del Rey "displays enough understanding of the basic emotions of mankind to stand clearly apart from the herd in providing heart-warming entertainment."[3] P. Schuyler Miller similarly noted that del Rey's characters "have a warmth about them which makes what happens to them the reader's serious concern . . . because they are people you'd like to know.", he also noted that the stories had been popular with readers when originally published, and "five to ten years later, they hold up equally well."[4] Amazing Stories reviewer Morris Tish also reviewed the collection favorably, calling the selections "some of the best examples of [del Rey's] work.[5] Alfred Bester, however, took a contrary view; reviewing the 1961 edition, he declared Del Rey's work "lacking in any comprehension of human or parahuman motives and behaviour. . . . [M]ood-writing demands a poetic insight and discipline beyond his ability; he is merely sentimental."[6] E. F. Bleiler commented that the stories "were unusual in their day for using a sentimental approach that was sometimes very effective."[7]

Publication history
  • 1948, USA, Prime Press OCLC 1962580, Pub date 1948, Hardback
  • 1957, Spain, Nebula, Pub date 1957, Paperback, as y algunos eran humanos, omits "Helen O’Loy"
  • 1961, USA, Ballantine Books OCLC 1635423, Pub date 1961, Paperback, omits 4 stories

Further reading
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References
  1. ISFDB bibliography
  2. Index to Science Fiction Anthologies and Collections
  3. Sam Moskowitz, "Fantasy Book Reviews", Fantastic Novels, January 1949, p.113.
  4. "Book Reviews", Astounding Stories, September 1949, p.150.
  5. "Great Books in Science Fiction", December 1949, p.153
  6. "Books", F&SF, April 1962, pp. 114-15
  7. Bleiler, E. F. (1983). The Guide to Supernatural Fiction. Kent, Ohio: Kent State UP. ISBN 0873382889 (p.147)
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