Vol 49, No 1. Contents: 6 • Social Pattern • [Editorial (Astounding)] • essay by John W. Campbell, Jr. [as by The Editor] 8 • Gunner Cade (Part 1 of 3) • serial by C. M. Kornbluth and Judith Merril [as by Cyril Judd] 53 • In Times to Come (Astounding, March 1952) • [In Times to Come (Astounding)] • essay by The Editor 54 • Mate in Three Moves • short story by Matthew M. Cammen 66 • Bluff-Stained Transaction • [Bureau of Slick Tricks • 5] • short story by H. B. Fyfe 82 • Don't Write: Telegraph! • essay by John R. Pierce [as by J. J. Coupling] 96 • Puzzle for Thinkers • essay by John W. Campbell, Jr. 97 • Next Door • short story by Jack Thomas 106 • Man Down • [Quarantine] • novelette by Jack Williamson 144 • Star Tracks • short story by Sam Merwin, Jr. 153 • The Reference Library: Junior Division (Astounding, March 1952) • [The Reference Library] • essay by P. Schuyler Miller 159 • Special Review (Astounding, March 1952) • essay by Willy Ley 161 • The Analytical Laboratory: December 1951 (Astounding, March 1952) • [The Analytical Laboratory] • essay by The Editor 162 • Brass Tacks & Letters 170 • Uranium's Not So Deadly As ... • essay by uncredited.