James Henry Schmitz (1911-1981) was an American writer born in Hamburg, Germany of American parents. He is best known for space opera and strong female characters (such as Telzey Amberdon and Trigger Argee) that didn't fit into the damsel in distress stereotype typical of science fiction during the time he was writing. Included in this volume are three short stories and a short novel: "An Incident on Route 12," "Watch the Sky," "The Winds of Time," and "Lion Loose." Three originally appeared in ANALOG, edited by John W. Campbell, Jr.