Fantasy of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History [Paperback]

Randy Broecker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2005

Our most death-defying adventures and wildest flights of imagination—the stuff such as dreams are made of—this is the realm of fantasy. And ever since ancestral storytellers created myths of monsters, lost worlds, dragons, and heroes, fantastical tales have transported us to these magical places beyond. William Morris, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Robert E. Howard are just a few examples of writers who sailed off the edge of their known worlds into those of their own creation.

In these beautifully illustrated pages, you will read of voyages launched by these celebrated commanders of the genre and more. Randy Broecker reveals how the fantasy story evolved over the centuries into the entertainment found in today’s books, comics, and films. Collectors, aficionados, and readers of the genre will be amazed by the breadth of Broecker’s history, and eager to make it part of their library.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fantasy maven Randy Broecker takes readers on a stroll down memory lane in Fantasy of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History, featuring heavyweight fantasy writers and artists. From The Arabian Nights, Lord Dunsany's Time and the Gods and Henry Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines to the talented Hildebrandt brothers' depictions of Middle-earth, 1950s comic book versions of Conan the Conqueror and the glut of D&D culture in the 1970s, this beautiful book pays apt tribute to fantasy's leading lights. 450 full color images. (Collectors, $60 256p ISBN

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

The companion to Frank M. Robinson's Science Fiction of the 20th Century (1999) is so similar that it could be mistaken for its predecessor. Almost every 10-by-13-inch page sports vintage magazine, paperback-cover, and movie-poster art in brilliant color that visually punches through page-filling stark white, royal blue, purple, or maroon backdrops in which archaic engraving-style goblets, swords, shells, and other fantasy bric-a-brac float as if just under the surface. Broecker's text, like Robinson's, merely chronicles the publishing history of its subject, though Broecker expands a bit on major writers and editors. Of course, fantasy has a much lengthier pedigree than sf, and Broecker accordingly starts with such hoary classics as the Mabinogion, the Odyssey, the Arabian Nights, and the Arthurian legends. Whether the literature is old or (mostly) new, the artwork is all twentieth century, all eye-popping, all provoking the question, Was ever so little worn by so many in such dire peril? Indispensable for fantasy and popular-art collections. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Collectors Pr; New Ed edition (2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888054417
• ISBN-13: 978-1888054415
• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Fantasy, August 2, 2002

By 

Sam Jennings II (Maryville, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantasy of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

This is a very interesting book. I think the illustrations are easily enjoyed by collectors, enthusiasts and just the average reader alike.

The commentary in addition to the images really gave depth to the Illustrated History. In addition, the formatting of the book, having sections for different strains of the fantasy genre, was very convenient.

Overall, a very fun and visually stimulating book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any serious collector and reader, July 11, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantasy of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

Randy Broecker's Fantasy Of The 20th Century deserves ongoing mention as an outstanding fantasy reference guide which should be a 'must' for any serious collector and reader. From the earliest fantasy mythology epics to later publications and modern authors from H. Rider Haggard to Robert Howard, Fantasy Of The 20th Century surveys the major publications of the 20th century. A highly recommended reference, this is packed with color photos and insights alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For solid fans of fantasy writing and the genre's history, January 8, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fantasy of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

Solid fans of fantasy writing and the genre's history will appreciate Randy Broecker's Fantasy Of The 20th Century, a superbly presented survey of fantasy creators and their worlds. Full-page color photos of fantasy publications from magazines to pulp fiction accompany a coverage of notable authors, plots, and series titles alike. This will prove an especially inviting gift for that avid fan who 'has everything'.