Synopsis
The Martians knew when man developed the atomic bomb—and they knew Man’s warring character. So they took steps to see that Man stayed on his own home planet. That was a serious error—
History
First publication: Astounding, April 1946
Review
Clarke’s first really pro sale is short but well-written with a nice twist ending. Very good Golden Age story.
Videos
We have the story in these editions:
The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke, hardcover, Tor, 2001-02-00
The Great SF Stories 8 (1946), edited by Issac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg, paperback, DAW Books, 1982-11-00
Expedition to Earth, paperback, Del Rey, 1982-10-00
First Flight: Maiden Voyages in Space and Time, edited by Damon Knight, paperback, Lancer Books, 1963-08-00
A Treasury of Science Fiction, edited by Groff Conklin, hardcover, Crown, 1948-03-00
