THE MIXED MEN [aka MISSION TO THE STARS] by A.E. Van Vogt (Reading, PA: Gnome Press, 1952) Cover illustration by Ed Binkley. 5,000 copy edition.
(New York: Berkley, 1955) Cover by Richard Powers.
This space opera is an early example of "fix-up" literature, the combination of several separately-published stories into a cohesive novel, a practice van Vogt not only pioneered but informally named in the early 50's. Nominated for a Retro-Hugo Award in 1996.
Contents
"Concealment" (Astounding, September 1943) Illustration by Elton Fax. [adapted as the prologue of the book]
"Lost: Fifty Suns" (previously unpublished) [corresponding to chapters 1 through 7]
"The Storm" (Astounding, October 1943) Cover by William Timmons; illustration by Orban. [chapters 8 - 15]
"The Mixed Men" (Astounding, January 1945) Cover by William Timmons; illustration by Orban. [chapters 16 - 22]
"Is it True?" (previously unpublished) [chapter 23; not present in all editions]
