Science Fiction

History and Commentary

A diverse sample of the many important titles in the collection. For further listings, consult the catalogs under the subject heading Science fiction-history and criticism.

Aldiss, Brian. Billion year spree: the true history of science fiction. (New York: Doubleday, 1973) *R-NAL 75-4859 and Trillion year spree:the history of science fiction (London: Gollancz, 1986) *R-NAL 86-4859. Mr. Aldiss is one of the most respected authors in the field. The 1973 title was the first critical history of science fiction; the latter title is completely revised and updated. Both volumes are valuable.

Ashley, Michael. The History of the science fiction magazines (London: New English Library, 1974-1978) 4 vols. *R-NAL 76-1510. A comprehensive history of the Golden Age of SF magazine publishing (1930-1960). Includes checklists of issues, illustrators, authors, editors and much more.

Benton, Mike. Science fiction comics: the illustrated history (Dallas, TX: Taylor Publications, 1992) JFF 92-2754. A brief history of a long neglected genre of science fiction. Illustrated in color and black & white.

Clareson, Thomas D. Some kind of paradise: the emergence of American science fiction (Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1985) JFE-86-1377. A history of the development of SF in the United States with emphasis on the distinctly American contributions to the genre.

Fiction 2000, cyberpunk and the future of narrative, edited by George Slusser and Tom Shippey (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1992) JFE 92-5364. A collection of essays discussing the current trends in science fiction.

Ketterer, David. Canadian science fiction and fantasy. (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1992). JFE 92-5364. Covers English-Canadian and French-Canadian science fiction from 1839 to the present. Includes an extensive bibliography.

Lambourne, Robert, et al. Close encounters?; science and science fiction. (Bristol, England: Adam Hilger, 1990). JFE 91-2229. An analysis of the many ways in which scientific theory and scientists are interpreted and portrayed in science fiction films and literature. Major themes dicussed include time travel, religion, politics, ecology and more.

LeGuin, Ursula. The language of the night: essays on fantasy and science fiction, Rev. ed. (New York: HarperColllins, 1992). JFD 92-14388. Critical esssays on the theory and practice of science fiction and fantasy by one of the most honored authors in the field. This revised edition includes a checklist of LeGuin's works.

Matthew, Robert. Japanese science fiction: a view of a changing society. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989) *OSB 89-7443; available in the Oriental Division, Room 219.

Stableford, Brian. Scientific romance in Great Britain 1890-1950. (London: Fourth Estate Ltd., 1985) JFD 85-1325. A history of British science fiction with emphasis on the early authors of "scientific romances" such as H.G. Wells. Discusses the uniquely British contributions to the field.

Suvin, Darko. Victorian science fiction in the U.K.: the discourses of knowledge and power. (Boston: G.K. Hall, 1983) JFE 84-2225. Included here for its distinctly Marxist interpretation of SF.

Where no man has gone before; women and science fiction, edited by Lucie Armitt. (London: Routledge, 1991) JFD 91-3354. Essays on the role and influence of women authors in the field of science fiction.