AMAZING STORIES

Magazine Overview

Title: AMAZING STORIES
Issue: Volume 26, Number 11
Date: November 1952
Publisher: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company
Country: USA
Price: 25¢

This issue of AMAZING STORIES features a dramatic cover art depicting a winged man carrying a woman, with the headline story "MAD MONSTER OF MOGO" by DON WILCOX. Another story, "AND GOAL TO GO" by ALFRED COPPEL, is also highlighted on the cover.

The Reader's Forum

The "Reader's Forum" section opens with a "LETTER OF THE MONTH" from Albert L. Chandra, who expresses his long-standing enjoyment of AMAZING STORIES since 1938. He defends the magazine against criticisms regarding cover art and trimmed edges, emphasizing his primary interest in the stories themselves. Chandra specifically addresses Frederic Booth's article "The Last of the Saucers," which attributed saucer sightings to Radiosonde balloons. Chandra questions this explanation by citing multiple sightings across different countries (British Guiana, Chile, Mexico, Norway, U.S., Germany, Japan, Holland, Greece, Yugoslavia) and posing rhetorical questions about the capabilities and ubiquity of these balloons. He wonders if Radiosonde balloons could cause such phenomena as whipping tree tops and if they were responsible for incidents like Captain Mantell's death. Chandra urges a broader study of historical accounts of aerial phenomena predating aircraft and suggests that the public might not be ready for the truth about UFOs due to potential societal disruption.

Chandra also mentions the Orson Welles broadcast as an example of how sudden news could cause panic. He expresses his desire to correspond with other fans about science fiction, radio, photography, and the Hawaiian guitar, providing his address in Georgetown, Demerara, South America.

The section also includes a brief note addressed to "Howard" (presumably an editor), praising the "Observatory" section of the magazine and expressing enthusiasm for its "FANTASTIC bimonthly, color on the inside." This reader, James Lyles, also humorously asks for someone's phone number.

Stories and Content

While the full content of the stories is not detailed, the cover prominently features:

• "MAD MONSTER OF MOGO" by DON WILCOX
• "AND GOAL TO GO" by ALFRED COPPEL

The magazine also includes a section called "The Observatory," which is praised by a reader for its content.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue, particularly through the "Reader's Forum," engages with the prevalent topic of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and the public's perception of them. The editorial stance, as reflected in the inclusion and publication of Chandra's letter, appears open to considering possibilities beyond conventional explanations for aerial phenomena, while also acknowledging the science fiction genre's role in exploring such concepts. The magazine aims to provide engaging science fiction stories while also fostering discussion among its readership on topics of interest, including the mysteries of the universe and potential extraterrestrial life.