First published with the title "Tyrann" in Galaxy magazine. It was serialised in three parts in the January, February, and March 1951 issues. It was published as a novel on 15 February 1951 by Doubleday with the title "The Stars, Like Dust." It was first published as a paperback in 1954 with the title "The Rebellious Stars." The book is part of the Galactic Empire series and takes place before the actual founding of the Galactic Empire.