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Title: Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia by John Clute ISBN: 0-7894-0185-1 Publisher: Dk Pub Pub. Date: 01 October, 1995 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (7 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Very intelligent, well organised, gorgeously illustrated,
Comment: As a reader of science fiction for almost five decades now, I would have to say that this is the finest single-volume reference on the history of the field that I have ever seen. It gains from the fact that it is written by a Brit, since you get many British works and authors that probably would not be covered in an American collection, as well as, a decent covering of international efforts from Europe and Japan. This is a high quality production, the illustration is generous and gorgeous- and the quality of printing and manufacture is top notch.
I especially liked the decade-by-decade illustrated timelines stretching back to the 19th century. You have a veritable road map to the development of the genre. Plus, the manner in which actual historical events of the times are incorporated with the sci-fi shows that this was written by a thoughtful, educated, man and not some sci-fi fanboy living in a vacuum and divorced from reality. Yet it is scholarly without being the least bit boring.
I wouldn't call it perfect, however. From the decades that I am most familiar with, the 50's and 60's, I noticed a few significant ommissions. First of all, Lester del Ray only gets a single mention in small print? Plus, why is it that NOBODY seems to mention or remember MacK Reynolds? Also, how can you cover American sci-fi television without mention of Tom Corbett, Space Ranger, Space Angel, or Fireball XL-5? In the area of films, why no mention of Invaders from Mars (1953), Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964), or Moon Zero Two (1970)?
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent coffee table book on sci-fi
Comment: John Clute has assembled a large, graphically-enhanced book that's attractive to even non-SF lovers. The way he organized the book was helpful: commentaries on the decades, timeline, famous works, major authors, movies and others, all giving information to even me as an SF lover and would-be writer. It is a good source for triviacs, and its pictures are well chosen and wonderful eye candy. I'm delighted that he even included a section on anime! A delightful book, a great gift for SF afficcionados.
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent companion to the full encyclopedia
Comment: John Clute's "Encyclopedia of Science Fiction" is the master reference to the field. This illustrated volume is at best a companion, and anyone needing the full answers should go to that encyclopedia. That said, I love this illustrated edition. I have spent many hours poring over the paintings, pictures, illustrations and timelines. It is not an exhaustive look, but rather a selection, but a selection done by someone who knows the field as well as anyone does. One of my particular favorites in this book are the author photographs: not every author has a face as famous as Asimov or Heinlein, and it was fun finally seeing what my favorite authors looked like. As a teacher of science fiction and fantasy, I also appreciate its didactive qualities, since students are often lured in by the reproductions of golden age covers that sparkle with life and that inimitable sense of wonder so important to the field. If you love science fiction, you'll love this book.
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Title: Science Fiction (The Overlook Film Encyclopedia Series) by Phil Hardy ISBN: 0879516267 Publisher: Overlook Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 1995 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
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Title: The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction by John Clute, Peter Nicholls, John Clute ISBN: 031213486X Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 01 November, 1995 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury ISBN: 0553278223 Publisher: Spectra Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 1994 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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