SARGASSO OF SPACE

Interesting conjectures about the future and inter-galactic life (a favorite theme of Andrew North's- better known as Andre Norton) create a vivid atmosphere for the adventures of Dane Thorson, apprentice-cargo-master for the trade ship Solar Queen some centuries hence. Setting out for Limbo, a planet similar to Earth in a distant yellow star system, the Solar Queen's personnel soon become aware that it has been ravaged by wars. Along with them is Dr. Rich, an archeologist who has come to explore Limbo's history. But as the work progresses, Rich turns into a crook instead- a man who is after the treasury of space ships that have been lost on Limbo over the centuries and which could better be turned into a tourist attraction than a base for illegal operations. Dane and the others capture Rich- not for the soft future their deeds may bring but as a step to enlarge the possibilities in the rather fascinating and provocative world Andre Norton has made for them.