2" non-yellowing library tape reinforcing spine. Extra stamp on top page block.

The Twenty-Second Century - a short story collection by John Christopher (pseudonym of Christopher Samuel Youd) - known mainly for his juveniles. These are not juveniles; the ones in the first half of the book (stories 1-5 & 7) are in his "Max Larkin/Managerial" series, which also includes his (adult) novel Year of the Comet (a.k.a. Planet in Peril.)

This first (and only) American edition substitutes "Balance" (a "Max Larkin" story not included in the 1954 and 1960 British editions) for "Occupational Risk" - a story original to the 1954 British hardcover (although reprinted in (Original) Science Fiction Stories January 1957.) This American edition also omits the 3 headers for story grouping and the table of contents - stories begin in the middle of a page, a half-inch after the previous one.

Colonial
The Prophet
Breaking Point
Decoy
The Tree
Christmas Roses - (original title= "Christmas Tree")
Balance - (a.k.a.= "In the Balance")
Mr. Kowtshook
The New Wine
Sentence of Death - (original title= "Death Sentence")
Museum Piece
Rich and Strange
The Rather Improbable History of Hilary Kiffer
Monster
Weapon
A Time of Peace
The $64 Question
Blemish
Rock-a-Bye
Begin Again

Original appearances from 1949 to 1954 - in Astounding (2), New Worlds (5), (Original) Science Fiction Stories, Avon SF&F Reader (2), Fantastic Story Magazine, Imagination, Science Fantasy, Authentic SF, Esquire - under various names, including Christopher Youd, William Vine, John Christopher. Many of the shorter pieces in the second half of the book may be original to the 1954 British hardcover (or from sources outside the usual SF field.)