This volume assembles 12 classic tales by Alan E. Nourse: "Bear Trap" originally appeared in Fantastic Universe, December 1957. "Circus," "The Dark Door," "Image of the Gods," "The Link," "Meeting of the Board," "My Friend Bobby," and "An Ounce of Cure" originally appeared in The Counterfeit Man: More Science Fiction Stories by Alan E. Nourse, published in 1963. "The Coffin Cure" originally appeared in Galaxy, April 1957. "Letter of the Law" originally appeared in If Magazine, January 1954. "The Native Soil" originally appeared in Fantastic Universe, July 1957. "PRoblem" originally appeared in Galaxy, October 1956.

Alan E. Nourse was both a physician and a writer. He produced most of his work in that period known as the "Golden Age" of Science Fiction. Best known for his novel Star Surgeon, he was also a prolific author of short stories during the 50's. This collection includes some of his best from that era including "Derelict," "The Coffin Cure," "Bear Trap," "Contamination Crew," "Infinite Intruder," "Letter of the Law," "PRoblem," "Martyr," "The Native Soil," "An Ounce of Cure," "The Dark Door," "Meeting of the Board," "Circus," "My Friend Bobby," "The Link," "Image of the Gods," and "Second Sight."