The Road to Science Fiction: From Here to Forever (Road to Science Fiction (Scarecrow Press)) (Volume 4) [Paperback]

James Gunn (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0810846705 | ISBN-13: 978-0810846708 | Publication Date: July 2003

Now in Paperback!
The Road to Science Fiction is a six-volume anthology that covers the development of this genre from its earliest prototypes to the current day. Created originally to provide anthologies for use in classrooms in the late 1970s, these volumes became mass-market sellers.

Between an ancient Roman's trip to the moon and the fantastic tales of H.G. Wells lies a journey through time and space and an awesome evolution in scientific thinking. From Gilgamesh's search for immortality to Edgar Allan Poe's balloon trip in the year 2848 these and other key works are gathered together for the first time in one anthology, complete with revealing commentary on the authors, their eras, and the role each played in establishing what we today recognize as science fiction.

Volume 4 From Here to Forever covers the period from 1950-1992, illustrating how science fiction can be as concerned with language and character as much as traditional fiction and anything in the mainstream. Includes stories by Jorge Luis Borges, Richard Matheson, C. M. Kornbluth, Jack Vance, and Pamela Zoline.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the fourth volume of James Gunn's critical anthology series, The Road to Science Fiction, and like its predecessors it is packed with some of the best stories ever published. There are 33 pieces in all, written by acknowledged masters such as Walter M. Miller, Stanislaw Lem, James Tiptree Jr., Thomas M. Disch and Gregory Benford. In this volume Gunn has dropped the theme of "importance to the genre" and instead favored "quality of writing" because, he says, it's too soon to say what far-reaching impact these stories will have. If Gunn's any judge, they will have quite a bit. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

The best series, historically arranged, of SF anthologies ever assembled...All six volumes belong in the library of every university, school, and teacher and reader of science fiction. Gunn has gathered stories of importance to the development of SF and stories that represent the best writing of the genre. (Anatomy Of Wonder, 5Th Edition )

...provides one of the most comprehensive views of the field and should be required reading for all students of sf. It has withstood the test of time, with classic stories....Gunn's headnotes and introductions remain provocative, even years later. The Road to Science Fiction can be read as an historical document, one that says much about Gunn, his mind, and his take on sf as it does about the state of sf from its roots to its full maturity as a genre. (Science Fiction Studies )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810846705
• ISBN-13: 978-0810846708
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > History & Criticism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get them all!, October 17, 2000

By 

Terence Chua (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Road to Science Fiction Volume 4: From Here to Forever (Paperback)

If I ever got around to teaching a class on Science Fiction, these books would be at the core of the syllabus, along with Brian Aldiss' Trillion Year Spree. James Gunn, more noted for his academic treatment of SF than what he's actually written (of which "The Immortal", which was turned into a TV series, is probably the most famous), puts together an incredible collection of the best that SF has to offer. The first 2 volumes are out of print, but White Wolf (bless 'em!) brought the 3rd back into print and continued to publish Gunn's latest efforts into what started out as a chronological exploration (the first two volumes covered Gilgamesh to Wells to Heinlein) into a showcase of international takes on SF. He prefaces each story with a short essay about its author, and the context which the author's work appears in the framework he presents in each volume. If you're a veteran SF reader you'll be delighted at getting some of the best stories ever written under one cover. If you're new to SF, this is an excellent introduction to the genre and the infinite possibilities of it.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Good Sci-Fi book, March 29, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Road to Science Fiction Volume 4: From Here to Forever (Paperback)

You might remember me, from the other Road To Science Fiction review. This, like the other, is a good collection. I really enjoyed "The Dance of the Changer and the Three" and it was really good. It really makes you think about what is truly alien. Anyway, this is perfect for any Sci-Fi fan.