It was first published in paperback by Pocket Books in July 1983, and in hardcover by Gollancz in the same year.

The book collects thirteen novellas, novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with an introduction, notes and concluding essays by Carr and Charles N. Brown.

"Farmer on the Dole" placed sixteenth in the 1983 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette.

"Meet Me At Apogee" placed twenty-seventh in the 1983 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story.

"Relativistic Effects" placed nineteenth in the 1983 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette.