One in Three Hundred

Title: "One in Three Hundred" by J. T. McIntosh

Publication Details:

• Author: J. T. McIntosh
• Publisher: Doubleday & Company, Inc.
• Publication Date: 1953 (originally as three novellas in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction)
• Genre: Science Fiction
• Language: English

Plot Summary: The book "One in Three Hundred" is a science fiction novel that originally appeared as three novellas: "One in 300," "One in a Thousand," and "One Too Many." The story takes place in a near-future where Earth is facing an impending catastrophe due to the increasing heat of the sun, making it uninhabitable. The plot revolves around a selection process where only one in three hundred people are chosen to leave Earth and start a new colony on Mars. The novel explores themes of survival, selection, and the human condition under extreme circumstances.

Key Themes:

1. Survival and Selection: The novel highlights the process of selecting individuals for a new colony on Mars, emphasizing the criteria for survival and the moral dilemmas that arise from this selection.
2. Human Condition: It delves into the human experience, exploring how people react to the impending doom of their planet and the choices they must make to ensure their survival.
3. Social Commentary: The book touches on social issues, such as the fairness and ethics of the selection process, and how it affects different segments of society.

Critical Reception: The novel received mixed reviews from critics.

1. Damon Knight: Knight wrote a scathing review, criticizing both the tone and plausibility of the story.
2. Groff Conklin: Conklin described the novel as "a thrilling and tragic story," offering a more positive critique.
3. Anthony Boucher: Boucher, who had published the original stories, reviewed the novel as "McIntosh's best work and one of the most human science fiction stories by anyone".
4. P. Schuyler Miller: Miller noted the popularity of the original stories and termed McIntosh "a writer to watch".

Editions and Availability: The book was originally published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction between 1953 and 1954. It was later published by Doubleday & Company, Inc. in 1956 as an Ace Double D-113, bound with Dwight V. Swain's The Transposed Man. The novel is considered a rare find in superior condition, with some copies selling for high prices.

Overall, "One in Three Hundred" by J. T. McIntosh is a thought-provoking science fiction novel that explores themes of survival, selection, and the human condition under extreme circumstances, receiving both positive and negative critiques from critics.