It was first published in paperback by Del Rey/Ballantine in September 1978 as a volume in its Classic Library of Science Fiction, with a Science Fiction Book Club hardcover edition following in December of the same year.

[1] The book contains sixteen short works of fiction and an afterword by the author, together with an introduction by Frederik Pohl.

[1] The book was reviewed by Algis Budrys in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, March 1979, Brian Stableford in Paperback Parlour, December 1979, Vernon Hyles in Fantasy Review, May 1986, and Peter Heck in Asimov's Science Fiction, January 2001.

[1] "Helen O'Loy" was nominated for the 1939 Retro Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 2014.

"Into Thy Hands" was nominated for the 1946 Retro Hugo Award for Best Short Story in 1996.