Time Machines: The Story of the Science-Fiction Pulp Magazines from the Beginning to 1950 (Liverpool University Press - Liverpool Science Fiction Texts & Studies) [Hardcover]

Mike Ashley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0853238553 | ISBN-13: 978-0853238553 | Publication Date: February 1, 2001 | Edition: Volume 1

This is the first of three volumes that chart the history of the science fiction magazine from the earliest days to the present. This first volume looks at the exuberant years of the pulp magazines. It traces the growth and development of the science fiction magazines from when Hugo Gernsback launched the very first, Amazing Stories, in 1926 through to the birth of the atomic age and the death of the pulps in the early 1950s. These were the days of the youth of science fiction, when it was brash, raw and exciting: the days of the first great space operas by Edward Elmer Smith and Edmond Hamilton, through the cosmic thought variants by Murray Leinster, Jack Williamson and others to the early 1940s when John W. Campbell at Astounding did his best to nurture the infant genre into adulthood. Under him such major names as Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, A. E. van Vogt and Theodore Sturgeon emerged who, along with other such new talents as Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke, helped create modern science fiction. For over forty years magazines were at the heart of science fiction and this book considers how the magazines, and their publishers, editors and authors influenced the growth and perception of this fascinating genre.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ashley's study of hacks pounding away at typewriters, bullying editors and money-pinching publishers is a rich mine of information. When complete, his trilogy will undoubtedly form the definitive history of SF from the pulp to the paperback. The Guardian

About the Author

Mike Ashley is a renowned expert in the world of science fiction and fantasy literature. He received the Science Fiction Research Association’s Pilgrim Award in 2002 for lifetime achievement in science fiction research. He has written many books, including A Brief History of King Arthur (Robinson, 2010); Taking Liberties (British Library, 2008); Gateways to Forever (Liverpool University Press, 2007); The Age of Storytellers (British Library, 2006); Transformations (Liverpool University Press, 2005); and Starlight Man: The Extraordinary Story of Algernon Blackwood (Constable, 2001).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Liverpool University Press; Volume 1 edition (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0853238553
• ISBN-13: 978-0853238553
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,513,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, January 5, 2004

By 

Michael Samerdyke (Big Stone Gap, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Time Machines: The Story of the Science, Fiction Pulp Magazines from the Beginning to 1950 (Paperback)

While this book had its rough spots, it was very interesting and fair.

Ashley looks at the history of science fiction magazines from the origin of magazines themselves to 1950. There is an awful lot of interesting information here on how magazines developed differently in Britain and the US.

When Ashley gets to the 1926-50 era, he is marvellous when covering the major magazines. He avoids overt deification or demonization and seems quite even-handed when dealing with the "Shaver hoax." Also, he does not take the route that when John W. Campbell became editor of Astounding all the other magazines ceased to be of interest.

This is essential reading for those interested in the early development of science fiction.