Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction Literature (Historical Dictionaries Of Literature And The Arts) [Hardcover]

Brian Stableford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2004 | Series: Historical Dictionaries Of Literature And The Arts (Book 1)

The term "science fiction" first came into common use in the late 1920s, when it was attached to one of the many new genres spawned by the American pulp magazines during a brief period of hectic diversification. The kinds of fiction gathered under the label included those previously grouped together in Britain as "scientific romances" and certain kinds of French "contes philosophiques".

This reference tracks the development of speculative fiction influenced by the advancement of science and the idea of progress from the eighteenth century to the present day. It provides an account of the major authors of works marketed under the genre label, various subgenres perceptible within the commercial genre, significant sf magazines and their editors, and significant neologisms coined by genre writers. There are also entries on authors of works of science-based speculative fiction which were, for one reason or another, spared the indignity of the genre label, and on fields of science and technology which have been particularly prolific in provoking such speculation. The list of acronyms and abbreviations, the chronology covering the literature from the 1700s through the present, the introductory essay, and the dictionary entries provide science fiction novices and enthusiasts as well as serious writers and critics with a wonderful foundation for understanding the realm of science fiction literature. The extensive bibliography that includes books, journals, fanzines, and websites demonstrates that science fiction literature commands a massive following.

Although the greater part of science fiction literature consists of gaudy action-adventure stories, couched as planetary romances or space opera, the genre is also—and far more importantly—the only cultural enclave capable of accommodating and developing serious speculative thought regarding the future. Exercises in "non-fictional" prophecy are inevitably confounded by their own paradoxicality, while "sci-fi" movies and TV series cannot accommodate the kinds of e

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As the inaugural volume in the Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts series, this work is unfortunately somewhat redundant. Although there is worth in being current (the volume does update many other reference works, albeit in brief), this is an expensive addition to an already crowded market served by the likes of Trillion Year Spree: The History of Science Fiction (Atheneum, 1986), The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction (St. Martin's, 1993), and The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction (2003).

However, as noted in the introduction, dictionaries are by their nature concise, and this one may supplement resources such as those mentioned above that examine similar topics at greater length. Following an excellent introduction by Stableford, described as an sf practitioner and an academic, the dictionary portion of the volume is arranged alphabetically and discusses some of the important names, themes, magazines, genres, and so on that comprise the history of science fiction. For example, there is a good cross-referenced entry on John W. Campbell and the magazines he edited, the genres he wrote in and influenced, and the authors he unquestionably helped. As the entry says, Campbell, with H. G. Wells, was directly responsible for the evolution of sf.

Also included here are an eclectic time line that traces key events in sf history from 1726 to 2003 and a substantial bibliography of secondary studies (from broad treatments to authors and themes). As previously mentioned, however, this is not a necessary purchase for libraries with similar titles. Unless a library owns no other reference sources on science fiction or has a very large science fiction collection, there is nothing new to justify the expense in this time of lean budgets. John Doherty
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Easy to consult and use, and proffering an extensive bibliography, Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction Literature is an excellent quick-lookup resource for libraries, as well as literature students and professors. (Wisconsin Bookwatch )

...sets a new standard for reference works on literary science fiction (SF). He makes a strong case for SF's literary significance in an introduction that can stand as a primer on the relationship of literary value and popular culture....Undergraduates will find the book useful in introducing major themes, while scholars will find it indispensable for its sophisticated understanding of SF as a serious object of study. Highly recommended. Academic collections. (CHOICE )

This book will appeal to casual science fiction (sf) readers, students, and even to scholars of popular culture and popular fiction needing fast information at their fingertips....an excellent basic reference tool and will prove invaluable for quick consultation....a worthwhile addition to library shelves and would be appropriate for both public and academic library settings. (Reference Reviews )

This book traces the historical development of science fiction literature from the eighteenth century to the present. The author provides an account of the major authors of works marketed under the genre label, significant science fiction magazines and their editors, neologisms coined by genre writers, and various subgenres. The introduction deals with the problem of the definition of 'science fiction,' as well as associated genres such as 'fantasy.' There is a very useful chronology of science fiction at the beginning of the book, dating back to 1726. (American Reference Books Annual )

Ahhhh, two excellent new reference guides!...That Stableford is qualified to write these reference works is without doubt....Stableford's highly entertaining. You'll likely grumble or nod appreciatively about his opinions, depending on what he thinks of an author, but you'll be more knowledgeable on a given writer or subject than you were before you dipped into these two works....If you are a serious reader and collector of either or both genres, you'll want one or both of these works....Is each of them worth the cost of nearly ninety dollars? Oh, yes. (Green Man Review, (Dual Review Of Hd Of Fantasy Literature) )

There is great stuff here...if you are a serious reader and collector of sf, you'll want this...Randomly browse it. In an hour or so, you'll find great new books worth reading. (Green Man Review )

Following an excellent introduction by Stableford, described as an sf practitioner and an academic, the dictionary portion of the volume is arranged alphabetically and discusses some of the important names, themes, magazines, genres, and so on that comprise the history of science fiction. (Booklist, 10/15/2004 )

Accurate and intelligent. (The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 504 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press; Rev. Pbk. Ed edition (April 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810849380
• ISBN-13: 978-0810849389
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,564,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reference that lists science fiction authors, February 8, 2005

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

This review is from: Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction Literature (Historical Dictionaries Of Literature And The Arts) (Hardcover)

Historical Dictionary Of Science Fiction Literature is a straightforward reference that lists the names of historically significant science fiction authors, common terms used when discussing science fiction literature (such as "space opera" or "fandom"), branches such as "Spanish Science Fiction", and more. Each entry is brief, no more than a few paragraphs long, yet accurately summarizes its topic. Easy to consult and use, and proffering an extensive bibliography, Historical Dictionary Of Science Fiction Literature is an excellent quick-lookup resource for libraries, as well as literature students and professors.