Customer Reviews

Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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)?

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.

This is an excellent reference work filled with information and superb pictures. The bios of noted science fiction uthors are especially interesting and helpful. This book has numerous minor problems, though. There is a blizzard of unnecessary commas that hurts the rhythm of the sentences. Many sentences are so parenthetically convoluted that Faulkner will seem like a minimalist in comparison. The page layouts are so poor in some cases that you're not sure if you're reading text or captions to the pictures. The author gives an excellent definition of cyberpunk, then contradicts himself by calling Dickens and Dostoevsky early cyberpunk authors. By Clute's own definition they are Punk but definitely not Cyber. Finally, the many different type sizes may give you a headache. Even with the minor problems this book is still easily five stars.

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.

John Clute has provided instructors of this genre with an easily accessible tool that students can understand and appreciate. The divisions into areas of classic sci-fi, graphic novels, and the social context of sci-fi (through a helpful series of timelines), makes this text an excellent source to own. College sci-fi courses use this text for reference material. Excellent!!

This book serves as an excellent guide to the finest works of science fiction. If you are an avid SF reader, it is an invaluable reference.

Mr. Clute does an excellent job of providing an overview of the major authors and works. As a result, I have enjoyed some great books that I otherwise would never have read.

It is entertaining as well.

Thanks Mr. Clute!

The Illustrated Encyclopedia is perfect for any Sci-Fi project! I used it for two ten-page papers in high school, and I'm using it now in college for an english contrasting paper. It is such a stockpile of info that I never seem to need any other sources!!! Nichole Collier

I received this book only a few years ago, but due to my interest in early science fiction (of the 1940s, 50s and 60s) I have been drawn time and time again to Mr. Clute's incredible, well-illustrated book. It has yet to be removed from my living room coffee table! There is a year by year overview of critical science fiction works (and movies and TV series), and a synopsis of all the major writers of serious,quality science fiction up to the mid-1990s (when the book was published). An invaluable reference for the avid science fiction fan, especially one who wishes to learn about the many overlooked, but decent, writers of yesteryear. I have learned about many "new" (to me) writers this way, and now when I go to my favorite used bookstore, I know what to look for! Highly recommended and worth every penny.

The book was not only VERY cheap, but also in extremely good conditions! I feel like buying three more, just because it is so cheap.

When I bought if for 5 dollars I was very suspicious whether the book was actually going to be a book or just the cover or something... but was I wrong! It barely looks used!

Furthermore, it is an excellent encyclopedia. I use it as a resource for a college-level science fiction class and I recommend it for the multiple valuable pictures it has and for the timelines of SF. The written part is not as brilliant, but for 5 dollars, you can't go wrong. Useful for little kids, for old folks, and for college students.

After reading this and some other, deeper and harder book about SF (I recommend Adam Roberts' "Science Fiction: the New Critical Idiom"), you will never watch movies or read science fiction like before.

This is just a pleasure to read. Timelines, illustrations of lots of covers, including pulps. A definite must have.

The pictures are great, having book covers and covers from pulps, and movie shots, and character pieces all adds to the enjoyment of a browsing type of book. Fine work.