The Gernsback Days

Author : Mike Ashley,Michael Ashley,Robert A. W. Lowndes
Publisher : Wildside Press LLC
Page : 502 pages
File Size : 49,7 Mb
Release : 2004-01-01
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9780809510559

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The Gernsback Days by Mike Ashley,Michael Ashley,Robert A. W. Lowndes Pdf

"In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in Hugo Gernsback, and the start of a serious study of the contribution he made to the development of science fiction. . . . It seemed to me that the time was due to reinvestigate the Gernsback era and dig into the facts surrounding the origins of Amazing Stories. I wanted to find out exactly why Hugo Gernsback had launched the magazine, what he was trying to achieve, and to consider what effects he had-good and bad. . . . Too many writers and editors from the Gernsback days have been unjustly neglected, or unfairly criticized. Now, I hope, Robert A. W. Lowndes and I have provided the grounds for a fair consideration of their efforts, and a true reconstruction of the development of science fiction. It's the closest to time travel you'll ever get. I hope you enjoy the trip."-Mike Ashley, Preface

Author : Darrell Schweitzer
Publisher : Wildside Press LLC
Page : 242 pages
File Size : 44,9 Mb
Release : 2009-03-01
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9781434403209

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The Fantastic Horizon by Darrell Schweitzer Pdf

In this new collection of his nonfiction, well-known critic and novelist Darrell Schweitzer writes about The Lord of the Rings, Neil Gaiman, E. R. Eddison, the Three Stooges, H. P. Lovecraft, Lord Dunsany, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Nathan, alternate histories, the culture of bookselling, and many others. "The finest kind of criticism--knowledgeable, witty, and highly accessible"--Robert Reginald

Author : Gary Westfahl
Publisher : McFarland
Page : 284 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2007-08-01
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9780786430796

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Hugo Gernsback and the Century of Science Fiction by Gary Westfahl Pdf

An examination of science fiction editor and author Hugo Gernsback's career, this critical study explores the many ways in which his work influenced the genre. It summarizes the science fiction theories of Gernsback and his successors, considers his efforts to define science fiction both verbally and visually, and for the first time offers detailed studies of his rarest periodicals, including Technocracy Review, Superworld Comics, and Science-Fiction Plus. An analysis of his ground-breaking novel, Ralph 124C 41+: A Romance of the Year 2660, and its influences on a variety of science fiction novels, films and television programs is also offered.

Author : Frederic Krome
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 433 pages
File Size : 40,8 Mb
Release : 2012-03-22
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781136683145

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Fighting the Future War by Frederic Krome Pdf

The period between World War I and World War II was one of intense change. Everything was modernizing, including our technology for making war—witness machine guns, trench warfare, biological agents, and ultimately The Final Solution. This modernization and eye toward the future was reflected in many facets of pop culture, including fashion, home-wear design, and the popular literature of the time. In sci-fi, a specific genre emerged—that of the ‘future war.’ Fred Krome has collected many of these future war stories together for the first time in Fighting the Future War. Bolstered by a comprehensive introduction, and introduced with historical information about both the authors of the stories and the historical time period, these stories provide a view into the field of pulp science fiction writing, the issues that informed the time period between the world wars, and the way people envisioned the wars of tomorrow. Revealing anxieties about society, technology, race and politics, the genre of the future war story is important material for students of history and literature.

Author : Steve Silberman
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 400 pages
File Size : 50,7 Mb
Release : 2015-08-25
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9781101639641

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NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman Pdf

A New York Times bestseller Winner of the 2015 Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction A groundbreaking book that upends conventional thinking about autism and suggests a broader model for acceptance, understanding, and full participation in society for people who think differently. What is autism? A lifelong disability, or a naturally occurring form of cognitive difference akin to certain forms of genius? In truth, it is all of these things and more—and the future of our society depends on our understanding it. WIRED reporter Steve Silberman unearths the secret history of autism, long suppressed by the same clinicians who became famous for discovering it, and finds surprising answers to the crucial question of why the number of diagnoses has soared in recent years. Going back to the earliest days of autism research and chronicling the brave and lonely journey of autistic people and their families through the decades, Silberman provides long-sought solutions to the autism puzzle, while mapping out a path for our society toward a more humane world in which people with learning differences and those who love them have access to the resources they need to live happier, healthier, more secure, and more meaningful lives. Along the way, he reveals the untold story of Hans Asperger, the father of Asperger’s syndrome, whose “little professors” were targeted by the darkest social-engineering experiment in human history; exposes the covert campaign by child psychiatrist Leo Kanner to suppress knowledge of the autism spectrum for fifty years; and casts light on the growing movement of "neurodiversity" activists seeking respect, support, technological innovation, accommodations in the workplace and in education, and the right to self-determination for those with cognitive differences.

Author : Arthur B. Evans
Publisher : Wesleyan University Press
Page : 448 pages
File Size : 52,6 Mb
Release : 2014-06-11
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780819574398

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Vintage Visions by Arthur B. Evans Pdf

Vintage Visions is a seminal collection of scholarly essays on early works of science fiction and its antecedents. From Cyrano de Bergerac in 1657 to Olaf Stapledon in 1937, this anthology focuses on an unusually broad range of authors and works in the genre as it emerged across the globe, including the United States, Russia, Europe, and Latin America. The book includes material that will be of interest to both scholars and fans, including an extensive bibliography of criticism on early science fiction—the first of its kind—and a chronological listing of 150 key early works. Before Dr. Strangelove, future-war fiction was hugely popular in nineteenth-century Great Britain. Before Terminator, a French author depicted Thomas Edison as the creator of the perfect female android. These works and others are featured in this critical anthology. Contributors include Paul K. Alkon, Andrea Bell, Josh Bernatchez, I. F. Clarke, William J. Fanning Jr., William B. Fischer, Allison de Fren, Susan Gubar, Rachel Haywood Ferreira, Kamila Kinyon, Stanislaw Lem, Patrick A. McCarthy, Sylvie Romanowski, Nicholas Ruddick, and Gary Westfahl.

Author : Gary Westfahl
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Page : 814 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 2021-07-19
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9781440866173

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Science Fiction Literature through History [2 volumes] by Gary Westfahl Pdf

This book provides students and other interested readers with a comprehensive survey of science fiction history and numerous essays addressing major science fiction topics, authors, works, and subgenres written by a distinguished scholar. This encyclopedia deals with written science fiction in all of its forms, not only novels and short stories but also mediums often ignored in other reference books, such as plays, poems, comic books, and graphic novels. Some science fiction films, television programs, and video games are also mentioned, particularly when they are relevant to written texts. Its focus is on science fiction in the English language, though due attention is given to international authors whose works have been frequently translated into English. Since science fiction became a recognized genre and greatly expanded in the 20th century, works published in the 20th and 21st centuries are most frequently discussed, though important earlier works are not neglected. The texts are designed to be helpful to numerous readers, ranging from students first encountering science fiction to experienced scholars in the field.

Author : Forrest J. Ackerman
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 330 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 1982
Category : Science fiction
ISBN : UOM:39015001188849

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The Gernsback Awards, 1926 by Forrest J. Ackerman Pdf

Author : Justin Everett,Jeffrey H. Shanks
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 267 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2015-10-01
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9781442256224

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The Unique Legacy of Weird Tales by Justin Everett,Jeffrey H. Shanks Pdf

When the pulp magazine Weird Tales appeared on newsstands in 1923, it proved to be a pivotal moment in the evolution of speculative fiction. Living up to its nickname, “The Unique Magazine,” Weird Tales provided the first real venue for authors writing in the nascent genres of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Weird fiction pioneers such as H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert Bloch, Catherine L. Moore, and many others honed their craft in the pages of Weird Tales in the 1920s and 1930s, and their work had a tremendous influence on later generations of genre authors. In The Unique Legacy of Weird Tales: The Evolution of Modern Fantasy and Horror, Justin Everett and Jeffrey Shanks have assembled an impressive collection of essays that explore many of the themes critical to understanding the importance of the magazine. This multi-disciplinary collection from a wide array of scholars looks at how Weird Tales served as a locus of genre formation and literary discourse community. There are also chapters devoted to individual authors—including Lovecraft, Howard, and Bloch—and their particular contributions to the magazine. As the literary world was undergoing a revolution and mass-produced media began to dwarf high-brow literature in social significance, Weird Tales managed to straddle both worlds. This collection of essays explores the important role the magazine played in expanding the literary landscape at a very particular time and place in American culture. The Unique Legacy of Weird Tales will appeal to scholars and aficionados of fantasy, horror, and weird fiction and those interested in the early roots of these popular genres.

Author : Orty Ortwein
Publisher : McFarland
Page : 245 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2024-06-05
Category : Literary Criticism
ISBN : 9781476686301

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The First Geeks by Orty Ortwein Pdf

The writer Ray Bradbury, science fiction expert Forry Ackerman, and special effects genius Ray Harryhausen are world-famous for their careers involving tales of the imagination. Before anyone had heard of them, they were friends as teens and college-aged boys enjoying all that 1930s L.A. had to offer: getting celebrity autographs, watching blockbuster movies, and haunting dozens of bookstores. As members of the Los Angeles chapter of the Science Fiction League, the three belonged to a tight-knit group that was involved in the earliest science fiction conventions and the birth of cosplay. This book follows the lives and careers of these three literary and film legends and tracks the origins of science fiction fandom. Each chapter builds a chronology of how their paths intertwined, and ultimately connected to, the beginnings of renowned fan conventions like Comic-Con. Devoted science fiction fans and new readers alike will learn how a young friendship launched three illustrious careers and changed the face of science fiction forever.

Author : Darrell Schweitzer
Publisher : Wildside Press LLC
Page : 274 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2017-03-24
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781479425679

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The Threshold of Forever: Essays and Reviews by Darrell Schweitzer Pdf

Darrell Schweitzer's third collection of essays and reviews, a successor to the well-received "Windows of the Imagination" and "The Fantastic Horizon," is a balanced mixture of scholarship and entertainment, ranging over the entire spectrum of imaginative literature, from the oldest novel in the world (1st century B.C.) to classic (and not-so-classic) pulp fiction, to childhood reading, to examinations of the works of such masters as H.P. Lovecraft, M.R. James, Robert Bloch, Stanley Weinbaum, John W. Campbell, and Thomas M. Disch. In between we encounter such surprising topics as a proposal for an H.P. Lovecraft biopic ("The Whole Wide Lovecraft"), the eccentricities of William Beckford (the author of Vathek), and even a report from Blobfest, an annual street fair devoted to the famous 1958 cult film, at which Schweitzer, as a member of the press, was allowed to touch the original Blob. Many of these pieces have been published in the prestigious "The New York Review of Science Fiction." "Schweitzer writes in an informative style that’s knowledgeable, witty, and high accessible. This is the finest kind of criticism -- it makes you want to read more, both of the critic's own prose and that of the writers he’s discussing. Highly recommended!" -- Robert Reginald. Darrell Schweitzer is a novelist, short-story, writer and critic, a former editor of the legendary "Weird Tales" magazine, and a four-time World Fantasy Award finalist and one-time winner. His previous book of essays, "The Fantastic Horizon," was a finalist for the Mythopoeic Award.

Author : Mark Bould,Andrew Butler,Adam Roberts,Sherryl Vint
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 313 pages
File Size : 41,9 Mb
Release : 2009-09-10
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781135285340

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Fifty Key Figures in Science Fiction by Mark Bould,Andrew Butler,Adam Roberts,Sherryl Vint Pdf

Fifty Key Figures in Science Fiction is a collection of engaging essays on some of the most significant figures who have shaped and defined the genre. Diverse groups within the science fiction community are represented, from novelists and film makers to comic book and television writers. Important and influential names discussed include: Octavia Butler George Lucas Robert Heinlein Gene Roddenberry Stan Lee Ursula K. Le Guin H.G. Wells This outstanding reference guide charts the rich and varied landscape of science fiction and includes helpful and up-to-date lists of further reading at the end of each entry. Available in an easy to use A-Z format, Fifty Key Figures in Science Fiction will be of interest to students of Literature, Film Studies, and Cultural Studies.

Author : Ivy Roberts
Publisher : McFarland
Page : 203 pages
File Size : 52,8 Mb
Release : 2020-06-25
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781476675046

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Futures of the Past by Ivy Roberts Pdf

Science fiction boasts a deceptively long history, extending as far back as the 19th century. This anthology pairs original essays that introduce short stories of vintage science fiction. Critical introductions written by international experts contextualize these stories from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Inclusions range from legendary authors like Mary Shelley and Edgar Allan Poe to lesser-known figures like E.P Mitchell, George Parsons Lathrop, and Franklin Ruth.

Author : Hugo Gernsback
Publisher : e-artnow
Page : 120 pages
File Size : 40,8 Mb
Release : 2020-03-31
Category : Fiction
ISBN : EAN:4064066053628

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Ralph 124C 41+ by Hugo Gernsback Pdf

The eponymous protagonist saves the life of the heroine by directing energy remotely at an approaching avalanche. As the novel goes on, he describes the technological wonders of the modern world, frequently using the phrase "As you know..." The hero finally rescues the heroine by travelling into space on his own "space flyer" to rescue her from the villain's clutches.

Author : Frederic Krome
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 143 pages
File Size : 49,9 Mb
Release : 2024-02-14
Category : Education
ISBN : 9781475869538

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New Approaches in Teaching History by Frederic Krome Pdf

Science fiction literature and film are an underappreciated source for the teaching of history. Finding material that can excite a student’s curiosity can be a key towards greater student engagement, especially among students who are taking history as a requirement, rather than from interest. The discovery that they can read or watch science fiction as part of their classwork often comes as a pleasant surprise. Beyond its popularity, however, utilizing science fiction for class assignments has certain pedagogical advantages: it introduces students to new vistas in historical thought, helps them learn how literature and film can be applied as a primary source, and can encourage participation in projects that are enjoyable. Each chapter provides case studies focusing on a different subject in the modern history curriculum and in addition to providing an analysis of specific texts and/or cinematic sources, gives suggestions on assignments for the students.