Astounding Science Fiction December 1954 (Volume 54, Number 4)
Illustrations by Kelly Freas, H. R. van Dongen. Cover by Chesley Bonestell: "Mars seen from Phobos."

Short Novel: "The School" by Raymond F. Jones

Novelette: "'On the Care and Breeding of Pigs'" by Rex Jatko

Stories: "Special Effect" by J. Anthony McFerlane
"Eight Seconds" by M. C. Pease
"Pack Rat Planet" by Frank Herbert

Science: "Scanning and Form" by Richard C. Pinkerton

John W. Campbell's editorial is "As a General Rule…"; Book reviews by P. Schuyler Miller.