This world-first paperback edition of Clifford Simak's shorter work comprises of seven stories all located 'Off-Planet'. 'Construction Shack' sees the successful landing of a three-man research crew on Pluto... but their discovery that the planet is crafted entirely of steel has astounding implications. In 'Ogre' the peaceful and enchanting 'musical trees' are to be transported to Earth... but are the trees really as harmless as they seem? 'Mirage' finds hero Richard Webb in search of a fabled lost city on Mars and caught up in a fight for survival - both for himself and for a near extinct alien race. Edited and introduced by Francis Lyall, these stories are full of humour and respect for ordinary values for which Simak is justly noted. Contents: Introduction (Off-Planet) (1988) • essay by Francis Lyall Construction Shack (1973) / short story by Clifford D. Simak Ogre (1944) / novelette by Clifford D. Simak Junkyard (1953) / novelette by Clifford D. Simak The Observer (1972) / short story by Clifford D. Simak The World That Couldn't Be (1958) / novelette by Clifford D. Simak Shadow World (1957) / novelette by Clifford D. Simak Mirage (1950) / short story by Clifford D. Simak (variant of Seven Came Back) .