Customer Reviews

Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction

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The 4th edition adds more than 700 titles and now critically annotates more than 3,000 adult and young adult books, with thorough coverage of related nonfiction--reference, history & criticism, author studies, film/TV, illustration & comics, significant library collections. Author, title & theme indexes, along with lists of best books, award winners, series, etc. Designed for anyone from novice to veteran wanting to identify the best, better or historically important works of SF and related nonfiction. Hugo nominee.

Neil Barron's authoritative reference Anatomy Of Wonder: A Critical Guide To Science Fiction has seen five incarnations now: each one weightier, more all-encompassing, and more packed with genre history and reviews than the last. Here are critical discussions of over 1,400 science fiction novels, short story anthologies and collections, with surveys of accompanying film and illustration supporting categories to print, and chapters on teaching science fiction and building a science fiction library collection. Annotated bibliographies are the heart of Anatomy Of Wonder, but the added sections covering history, criticism, film and radio productions, the author studies, and the section on science fiction illustration should not be missed and add a lot to the original concept of a set of critical, authoritative synopses of the genre's best. A top pick any serious science fiction collection should include.

If you need to research an area of science fiction, or its related fields (the guide's range is pretty eclectic) this is a wonderful starting place. I prefer to browze through it and read the summaries of neglected titles. There are plenty of topical, personal, author, etc. indices and sections on film, criticism, Sci fi for young people -- a treasure trove. I always find something new and intriguing. Browsing this weighty volume leads me back to Amazon.com for more compulsive book buying

This is a very wonderful reference book. It is laid out in a easy to use format. I have used it as a guide to what I will read next as well as researching various themes in sci fi literature. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about science fiction.

A definitely useful book that gives you an excellent overview of the subject, and a timeline, and also a bibliography of important or influential works, also by time period.

It was quite useful to me, at times, when doing some research in the area. Definitely have a look.