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Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials: Great Aliens from Science Fiction Literature Paperback – January 11, 1987

by Wayne Douglas Barlowe (Author), Ian Summers (Author), Beth Meacham (Author)

60 customer reviews

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In this illustrated field guide to extraterrestrials-a 1980 nominee for the ABA and Hugo Awards and named one of the Best Books of Spring 1980 by School Library Journal-Wayne Douglas Barlowe paints 50 denizens of popular science fiction literature. 150 full-color paintings show each character not only in full figure but also in detail highlighting distinctive characteristics. Humanoids, insectoids, reptilians, and more are included. Field notes explain movement, diet, respiration, and reproduction habits. The book also features a pull-out chart showing comparative sizes, and a section devoted to Barlowe's own sketchbook of works in progress. Selection of the Science Fiction Book Club. 267,000 copies in print.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Any science fiction reader would enjoy receiving this as a gift." (Science Fiction Chronicle)

From the Back Cover

The extraterrestrials are here. One man has seen them.

In his classic guide, Wayne Douglas Barlow's brilliant portraits bring to life 50 aliens from science fiction literature: Larry Niven's Thrint and his Puppeteer, Arthur C. Clarke's Overlord, Frank Herbert's Steersman, Robert Silverberg's Sulidor and more. Humanoids, insectoids, reptillians-even protoplasmic, gaseous and crystalline life forms-are all faithfully and naturalistically depicted so that you can now visualize what could only before be imagined.

Plus a special section taken directly from the artist's personal sketchbook, featuring renderings, notes and locomotive studies.

"Barlowe awes me. It's a breathtaking job of extending the author's vision . . ."-from the foreword by Robert Silverberg

"The illustrated field guide to extraterrestrials that every lover of science fiction must have."-The Brothers Hildebrandt

"Any science fiction reader would enjoy receiving this as a gift.-Science Fiction Chronicle

"Remarkable . . . The artist's imagination proves fully equal to the reader's own mental picture of these varied denizens."-ALA Booklist

A Hugo Award Nominee

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Product details

Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; 2 edition (January 11, 1987)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0894803247
ISBN-13: 978-0894803246
Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.4 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
Average Customer Review: 60 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3014 in Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Techniques
- #8535 in Books > Arts & Photography > Individual Artists
- #120014 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy

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Abrahamo Linconi

If you haven't got this on a shelf, you need it

December 10, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This is one the best reference works I own. Barlowe's illustrations are remarkable, and once you've seen any of these classic aliens in Barlowe's Guide, you'll never be able to read the source work again without visualizing them as this book does. I owned a copy as a teen, then lost it somehow, and recently reordered. Every bit as wonderful and informative as I remember, and a must-have for any fan.

I also need to remark here on Barlowe's meticulous combing of the source material for details to help the illustrations. He has seemingly read every detail about, say, a Thrint that ever saw print. The result is a drawing that you will probably never find contradicted by anything in the source stories and novels. The range is also excellent, covering many classic SF works. You may even find yourself introduced to an overlooked classic of genre fiction by finding a striking alien here, and tracking it back to the novel it came from.

I cannot recommend this book more highly. It would be cheap at twice the price.

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Alan Miller

Not as cool as you think

November 23, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

First, I love the concept of the book. I like to write and I though this book could be a sort of prompt for alien life ideas. It's actually kinda dull to read and the pictures are 90s cartoonish. I ended up a little disappointed but it wasn't expensive and now it's already donated to a library.

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Steven M. Vance

Wondering About the Pnume?

April 27, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I've long been a fan of this Barlowe's Guide. I have always wished he had done additional volumes of extra-terrestrials. I would like to have seen his take on more of the many alien races found in C.J. Cherryh's science fiction. I really like his interpretations of the Pnume and the Dirdir, as well as his nod to Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos. The quality of the paintings is good, the text informative.

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spinteractive

Excellent, and nostalgic book from my childhood that inspired my dreams of other worlds and alien life

March 29, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Excellent, and nostalgic book from my childhood. The illustrations are magnificent and supplied me with endless dreams of exotic worlds and their inhabitants.

Other masterpieces of this genera (which I own) include 'Space Wars Worlds and Weapons' Space Wars: Worlds & Weapons and the incomparable 'Spacecraft, 2000-2100 A.D.: Terran Trade Authority Handbook' Spacecraft, 2000-2100 A.D.: Terran Trade Authority Handbook.

Enjoy!

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this book is so cool Barlowe is one of the greatest illustrators ever

August 8, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

this book is so cool Barlowe is one of the greatest illustrators ever. my father had a copy of this book when i was young and it was so neeat to see these beautiful and detailed images of creatures i had read about

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byrnstar

Grew up with this book and still love it!

February 22, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Grew up with a copy of this book in the household! It inspired a lifetime fascination for classic science fiction, realistic depictions of anatomy (human, alien or otherwise), and biology. I only wish there were more of Barlowe's original sketch work included in the back pages as I find his raw experimental work as fascinating as the finished profiles.

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Xicota

A Family Favorite!

September 25, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

A classic reference guide, in color, of our favorite Science Fiction characters. If you enjoy the genre (which I do), this book should be in your personal library.

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C. Monster

Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestials

April 10, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I had originally purchased this book by Wayne Douglas Barlowe in 1988 and thoroughly enjoyed the artwork and descriptions of the extraterrestrials. For a fictional guide to beings, it is detailed and believable. I wish Mr. Barlowe would make an updated or new publication with art and descriptions of science fiction entities that have been written about since the original 1979 release.

I was extremely happy to be able to find a copy of the book on Amazon after losing my original copy of the book years ago. I highly recommend this book to lovers of science fiction and art.

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Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials: Great Aliens from Science Fiction Literature Paperback – January 11, 1987

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