Contents: 5 • Megopolis • [Editorial (Astounding)] • essay by John W. Campbell, Jr. [as by The Editor] 7 • There Is No Defense • novella by Theodore Sturgeon 46 • New Lives for Old • [Advent • 2] • novelette by William L. Bade 68 • Cosmetics • short story by John D. MacDonald 77 • Maggie • essay by John R. Pierce [as by J. J. Coupling] 94 • In Times to Come (Astounding, February 1948) • [In Times to Come (Astounding)] • essay by The Editor 95 • Book Review (Astounding, February 1948) • essay by L. Sprague de Camp 97 • Brass Tacks (Astounding, February 1948) • [Brass Tacks] • essay by The Editor 97 •  Letter (Astounding, February 1948) • essay by L. M. Jensen [as by Lamont M. Jensen] 98 •  Letter (Astounding, February 1948) • essay by Alfred Coppel [as by Alfred J. Coppel, Jr.] 101 •  Letter (Astounding, February 1948) • essay by Don J. Doughty 101 •  Letter (Astounding, February 1948) • essay by Julian May [as by J. C. May] 105 • Children of the Lens (Part 4 of 4) • [Lensman • 6] • serial by Edward E. Smith 162 • The Analytical Laboratory: November 1947 (Astounding, February 1948) • [The Analytical Laboratory] • essay by The Editor