Stepping Through The Stargate: Science, Archaeology And The Military In Stargate Sg1 (Smart Pop series) [Paperback]

P. N. Elrod (Editor), Roxanne Conrad (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Smart Pop series | Publication Date: September 10, 2004

** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED **

 

The questions What mind-set is at the heart of the television series Stargate? and What really goes into the creation of each episode? are examined in this anthology. Featuring essays from such noted contributors as archaeologist Sue Linder-Linsley, astronomer Sten Odenwald, parasitologist Francine M. Terry, philosopher Daniel Dennett, and science fiction author Melanie A. Fletcher, this collection delves into every aspect of the series with the same humor and intellectual curiosity of the show itself. Commentary from the show's special effects head, James Tichenor, and actor Tom McBeath is also featured.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

P. N. Elrod is the author of 20 novels, including the Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire series and the Vampire Files series. She lives in Ft. Worth, Texas. Roxanne Conrad has written 12 books, including Exile, Texas. She lives in Arlington, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Smart Pop (September 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932100326
• ISBN-13: 978-1932100327
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm best known for writing THE VAMPIRE FILES, a series about an undead vampire Jack Fleming whose first case is to solve his OWN murder! There's 12 books and counting, as well as a number of short stories about his adventures.

In addition to writing, I've gone into editing and had the pleasure of working with the top names in urban fantasy with several award-winning collections.

Lately, I've just signed to edit a new anthology for St. Martin's called HEX SYMBOLS and signed a 3-book contract with Tor for a new steampunk series, ON HER MAJESTY'S PSYCHIC SERVICE. I'm currently working on the first book, THE HANGED MAN.

I consider myself to be danged lucky to have a job that I love this much!

There's a lot more info on my website: www.vampwriter.com and, yeah, you figured it, I'm on FaceBook. Far too often for my own good! Drop in and hang out!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the Stargate aficionado, December 16, 2004

By 

jjrimell (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stepping Through The Stargate: Science, Archaeology And The Military In Stargate Sg1 (Smart Pop series) (Paperback)

Are you one of those people who love picking holes in plot lines? Someone who goes, say.. "That couldn't really happen... a lightening bolt doesn't contain enough power to activate the stargate" while blindly ignoring the fact that a stargate doesn't exist in the first place... if so, this is the book for you.

Basically the book does its best to pin real science to the fiction/fantasy stuff from the show:
* what sort of technologies would be needed to really create a wormhole.
* how could a goa'uld navigate a human's neck (without doing serious damage) to get to the spin column and brain and take overall control
and stuff like that.

It's amusing to read these scientists try their best to come up with imaginative scientific theories that could underpin the show's plot devices.

On the down-side, it is a collection of essays from different authors and there is often an overlap in what they say. (There aren't that many theories around that could viably allow wormhole creation, so they get liberally mentioned!). I got a strong sense of deja-vu after a while. I also got a little feeling that the authors were almost competing on who was the most avid Stargate fan, never missing an opportunity to supply a quote from the show or mention a fact. I guess it does get you to reminisce and I found myself going "Oh yes, I remember that episode" but it was a little tiring after a while.

All in all, it is a nice piece of light reading. It's cheap and cheerful and it lets you joyful linger in the suspension of disbelief that it all could ... just ... really ... happen, before returning to the real world and laugh it off with a "whatever!".

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A not-too-serious book on Stargate., March 25, 2005

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Stepping Through The Stargate: Science, Archaeology And The Military In Stargate Sg1 (Smart Pop series) (Paperback)

Made by science writers and experts of science this book is a must for any Stargate fan. There are two essays which focus on wormholes, one essay debates fashion, one essay even gets into parasites and much more. Not a lot on the military but with such authors as Bill Fawcett, Susan Sizemore and P.N. Elrod I could not help but buy this book. Full of humor and a love for the Stargate. And everybody talks like Jack! Ya think?

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calling All Corners, March 3, 2006

By 

E. Richter "Miriel" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stepping Through The Stargate: Science, Archaeology And The Military In Stargate Sg1 (Smart Pop series) (Paperback)

I ordered this book because I was looking to get a bit more information on Stargate: SG-1 when becoming more active in the fandom. I was pleasantly surprised to find a compendium that included information by a variety of contributors in all of the fields I had questions about. It's got a chapter that might as well be titled "The physics of Stargate", it's got a critical appraisal of everything from the costumes to the plot themes and use of popular culture, it has a chapter on the medical feasibility of the Goa'uld parasites, and it has a few more light-hearted offerings as well.

I seriously recommend this for anyone from the casual SG-1 fan to the die-hard SG-1/SGA afficianado.