The book collects eleven tales by various authors, with a foreword by Isaac Asimov and an overall introduction by the de Camps.

[1][2] Marguerite B. Burgess, writing in Library Journal, called the book "a solid collection of classic science fiction stories," but "contains nothing new for seasoned SF fans."

She felt the Lovecraft piece "rather weak" and questioned the inclusion of the Odyssey except as "a far-fetched choice," but thought "[t]he headnotes by the de Camps ... good and informative, providing historical perspective."

"[3] In a second Library Journal review, Frances Postell found the book "[a]n average collection of sci fi stories" with the ancient Greek excerpts "too brief" and the de Bergerac piece "overly long."

She deemed the modern selections "pithy and not often anthologized" and noted the introduction "provides a capsule history of the genre."