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Fanfare, v. 1, issue 1, December 1939

Page 8

                PLEASE GIVE THOUGHT
                               by
                    SAM MOSKOWITZ

  This article and added summary is written for the sole purpose of showing the great majority of fans can be swayed by a little pep talk and flattery.  This is probably due to the fact that many of them are very young.
  When the speak of "Astounding Stories" as the magazine of future possebilities I have to laugh.  Not that I have anything against the mag but it is simply not as good as you believe it to be.  During 1934 and most of 1935 Astounding was something to boast about.  It had a tremendously high standard, gave us more pages, smaller print, better illustrations.  Noticeably since February, 1936 it has become increasingly less interesting (with the exception of that light-in-the-Darkness December, 1936 issue.)  Practically every story since then has been stereotyped and uninteresting.
  In the January issue of the "International Observer" , the fellow who reviewed the pro mags of 1936 states that "Amazing Stories" was on a whole, a very uninteresting magazine and did not print much worth remembering.  Let me contest that issue with him.  What he really meant was that "Amazing" did not give a pretty pep talk nor was it a glorified picture book and it did not MOO all over the fans.  Astounding does, therefore it is the better magazine.  I cannot name any outstanding story that Astounding has printed during the past year. and I doubt if any of you fans can either.  The only stories of any worth that come to my mind are "The Incredible Invasion" by Murray Leinster, and Lovecraft's word picture tripe.  Without excepting the stories hit on standard--FAIR.
   Then take "Amazing Stories", laboring under tremendous difficulties and only printing six numbers per year, has produced quite a few memorable stories.  Among them:  "Council of Drones, "Devoulution," etc.  Contrary to popular opinion, "Uncertainty" is NOT, in my estimation; a good story.  It is one solid lump of science.  If I remember correctly, back in late '34 Or '35, Dr.  Sloane commented on the length of this serial and the probable necessity of printing it in four parts.
  I have here a summary of all pro stf. mags since Oct. 1933 and their worth.  These opinions are gauged on the united thoughts of 5 competent fans (names on request), (Moskowitz, Behr, Weiner, Oshoroff, Schuck....ed.)  Worth of magazines judged almost entirely on fiction value.
    1933
Oct. --1. Amazing best 2. Wonder almost as good.
Nov. -- Wonder slightly better than Amazing.
Dec. -- Amazing slightly better than Wonder.
   1934
Jan. -- Amazing best, Wonder very close, Astounding just a wee bit below both.
Feb. --1.) Wonder 2) Astounding 3.) Amazing.
Mar. --Astounding best, Wonder and Amazing about tie for second.
Apr. -- Astounding and Amazing about same, Wonder bit behind.

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PLEASE GIVE THOUGHT by SAM MOSKOWITZ This article and added summary is written for the sole purpose of showing the great majority of fans can be swayed by a little pep talk and flattery. This is probably due to the fact that many of them are very young. When the speak of "Astounding Stories" as the magazine of future possebilities I have to laugh. Not that I have anything against the mag but it is simply not as good as you believe it to be. During 1934 and most of 1935 Astounding was something to boast about. It had a tremendously high standard, gave us more pages, smaller print, better illustrations. Noticeably since February, 1936 it has become increasingly less interesting (with the exception of that light-in-the-Darkness December, 1936 issue.) Practically every story since then has been stereotyped and uninteresting. In the January issue of the "International Observer" , the fellow who reviewed the pro mags of 1936 states that "Amazing Stories" was on a whole, a very uninteresting magazine and did not print much worth remembering. Let me contest that issue with him. What he really meant was that "Amazing" did not give a pretty pep talk nor was it a glorified picture book and it did not MOO all over the fans. Astounding does, therefore it is the better magazine. I cannot name any outstanding story that Astounding has printed during the past year. and I doubt if any of you fans can either. The only stories of any worth that come to my mind are "The Incredible Invasion" by Murray Leinster, and Lovecraft's word picture tripe. Without excepting the stories hit on standard--FAIR. Then take "Amazing Stories", laboring under tremendous difficulties and only printing six numbers per year, has produced quite a few memorable stories. Among them: "Council of Drones, "Devoulution," etc. Contrary to popular opinion, "Uncertainty" is NOT, in my estimation; a good story. It is one solid lump of science. If I remember correctly, back in late '34 Or '35, Dr. Sloane commented on the length of this serial and the probable necessity of printing it in four parts. I have here a summary of all pro stf. mags since Oct. 1933 and their worth. These opinions are gauged on the united thoughts of 5 competent fans (names on request), (Moskowitz, Behr, Weiner, Oshoroff, Schuck....ed.) Worth of magazines judged almost entirely on fiction value. 1933 Oct. --1. Amazing best 2. Wonder almost as good. Nov. -- Wonder slightly better than Amazing. Dec. -- Amazing slightly better than Wonder. 1934 Jan. -- Amazing best, Wonder very close, Astounding just a wee bit below both. Feb. --1.) Wonder 2) Astounding 3.) Amazing. Mar. --Astounding best, Wonder and Amazing about tie for second. Apr. -- Astounding and Amazing about same, Wonder bit behind.