The Star Beast and Other Stories — Damon Knight

Six vintage stories from Science Fiction Grand Master, Damon Knight. First published in the 1940s & 50s, these stories show his diversity from galactic adventure to nihilistic philosophy.

Doorway to Kal-Jmar -- Two men had died before Syme Rector's guns to give him the key to the ancient city of Kal-Jmar -- a city of untold wealth, and of robots that made desires instant commands.

The Beachcomber -- Alice saw the Beachcomber as a glorious hunk of man; Maxwell saw him as a super being from the future. Tragically, he was both!

The Star Beast -- They called this strange tentacle-headed blob that had floundered into the System Oscar. They were to learn a better name.

The Worshipers -- Destiny reached out a hand to Algernon Weaver -- but he was a timid man, at first. But on the strange world of Terranova, there was much to be learned -- of destiny, and other things....

Blackout -- A short short story that mentions Charles Fort. And it has an idea as strange as any conjectured by Mr. Fort.

The Earth Quarter -- The Niroi permitted refugees from Earth to live in their cramped little ghetto conditionally: that they do so peacefully. But there will always be patriotic fanatics, like Harkway and Rack, who must disturb the peace ...