Wings Over Tomorrow: The Collected Science Fiction of Philip Francis Nowlan

Wings Over Tomorrow: The Collected Science Fiction of Philip Francis Nowlan Review

Finally somebody has reprinted the original Buck Rogers stories as they originally appeared. The short biographical information at the start of this compilation is very interesting, bringing Philip Francis Nowlan out of semi-obscurity and into the cultural limelight he deserves. It's a pity he did not write more stories.

Wings Over Tomorrow: The Collected Science Fiction of Philip Francis Nowlan Overview

If the name Philip Nowlan is not well-known today, it is because it has been eclipsed by that of his most famous creation, Buck Rogers. Buck began life as Anthony Rogers, in Nowlan\'s first published story, Armageddon 2419 AD., and its sequel, Airlords of Han, quickly became a phenomenon that popularized science fiction in the first half of the twentieth century in the same way that Star Trek and Star Wars popularized it in the second half. But until now, Nowlan\'s other science fiction stories have been forgotten in the wake of Buck\'s immense popularity. Collected here with the original Anthony Rogers stories are The Time Jumpers, The Onslaught from Venus, The Prince of Mars Returns, and Space Guards, as well as the 1940 radio script Wings over Tomorrow.

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Eros in the Mind's Eye: Sexuality and the Fantastic in Art and Film (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy)

Eros in the Mind's Eye: Sexuality and the Fantastic in Art and Film (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy) Review

Eros in the Mind's Eye: Sexuality and the Fantastic in Art and Film (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy) Overview

This lively collection offers a wide-ranging exploration of the erotic and the fantastic in painting, illustration, and frilm. It covers Western art of six centuries--from medieval woodcuts to contemporary poster art--and the cinema of six decades--from horror classics of the 1930s to recent slasher films--documenting the surprising variety of guises in which sexuality appears in fantasy art and cinema. Among the subjects treated are occult eroticism in Medieval and Renaissance art; the use of fantasy as a vehicle for depicting erotic subjects in periods of sexual repression; the fascination with unconscious and aberrant sexuality in the visual arts since the publication of Freud's theories; movie monsters and aliens as emblems of the submerged id or libido; and monstrous metamorphosis as a symbol of the changes accompanying puberty.

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Far Horizons: All New Tales from the Greatest Worlds of Science Fiction

Far Horizons: All New Tales from the Greatest Worlds of Science Fiction Review

A decent collection of stories from previously written about universes. How much you ike them will be somewhat related to how you like the originals, if you have come across them before. The story average is 3.41.

Far Horizons : Old Music and the Slave Women [Ekumen] - Ursula K. Le Guin
Far Horizons : A Separate War [Forever War] - Joe Haldeman
Far Horizons : Investment Counselor [Ender Wiggin] - Orson Scott Card
Far Horizons : Temptation [Uplift] - David Brin
Far Horizons : Getting to Know the Dragon [Roma Eterna] - Robert Silverberg
Far Horizons : Orphans of the Helix [Hyperion Cantos] - Dan Simmons
Far Horizons : Sleeping Dogs [Sleepless] - Nancy Kress
Far Horizons : The Boy Who Would Live Forever [Heechee (Robinette Broadhead)] - Frederik Pohl
Far Horizons : A Hunger for the Infinite [Galactic Center] - Gregory Benford
Far Horizons : The Ship That Returned [Helva] - Anne McCaffrey
Far Horizons : The Way of All Ghosts: A Myth from Thistledown [Way] - Greg Bear


Race war communications.

3 out of 5


War waiting, bi the way.

4 out of 5


AI accountants are cool.

4 out of 5


Dolphin escape and magic time diaspora subservience scheme rejection.

3.5 out of 5


Imperial travel brutality.

3 out of 5


Hyperion kid and Shrike buddy pay a visit for some teleporting fun.

3.5 out of 5


Dog dreaming denial dangerous.

4 out of 5


Gateway ship, black hole timeslip.

3.5 out of 5


Collecting horror.

3 out of 5


Prosthetic palsy.

3 out of 5


Had enough.

3 out of 5

Far Horizons: All New Tales from the Greatest Worlds of Science Fiction Overview

The universe of the mind is a limitless expanse of wonders, filled with worlds and secrets that cannot be fully explored within the pages of a single novel.

Avid readers of science fiction have long appreciated the myriad joys of returning to fictional galaxies already experienced. In Far Horizons, a variable "Who's Who" of science fiction's most beloved and highly honored writers once again revisit the remariable worlds they created and made famous. Perhaps the greatest concentration of science fiction talent ever in one volume, this unprecedented masterpiece reopens vast empires of imagination and adventure to new explorations and appreciations. It is a major SF event, sure to bring unparalleled joy to the hearts of serious fans everywhere.

Far Horizons: All New Tales from the Greatest Worlds of Science Fiction Specifications

Far Horizons is the science fiction equivalent of Robert Silverberg's bestselling fantasy anthology Legends. For both books, Silverberg invited some of the most renowned authors in the field to write a new story based on their most popular series or settings. For instance, the first story in Far Horizons is Ursula K. Le Guin's "Old Music and the Slave Women," which takes place in the same Hainish universe as her famous novels The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed. Dan Simmons wrote a piece set in the realm of Hyperion, Anne McCaffrey turned in a Helva story from the world of The Ship Who Sang, and so on.

Like Legends, the list of writers in Far Horizons reads like a Who's Who of the genre: Le Guin, Joe Haldeman, Orson Scott Card, David Brin, Simmons, Nancy Kress, Frederik Pohl, Gregory Benford, McCaffrey and Greg Bear, as well as Silverberg himself. And like Legends, the authors take a page or two to introduce their stories so that newcomers won't be totally lost. The average story in Far Horizons is, as you might expect, a significant cut above the average SF story, although this anthology is not quite as successful as its predecessor. Authors like Le Guin and Simmons have come up with some first-rate stuff, but Card and McCaffrey have produced stories that are mediocre at best. Overall, though, the book has far more ups than downs, and serious readers won't want to miss this one. Those new to the world of SF will also find Far Horizons an invaluable reference when they're looking for good authors to read. --Craig E. Engler

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Star Wars on Trial: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Debate the Most Popular Science Fiction Films of All Time (Smart Pop series)

Star Wars on Trial: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Debate the Most Popular Science Fiction Films of All Time (Smart Pop series) Review

Not able to classify myself a Sci-Fi geek, and not a particular fan of Star Wars (although I recall being thrilled by the original Star Wars), I approached this book from a point of view I thought would be largely neutral.

It turned out during reading that I sided almost entirely with Brin (prosecution) at the beginning and ended more neutral than I began--a self-revelation that I found refreshing. I found the actual witness testimony (the essays) to be highly entertaining and illuminating, but the cross-examinations more tiring and often belittling than valuable to the book; although it would hardly be a trial without them. By the end of the book, I was ready to be done with it, capped off effectively by the final closing argument which did nothing but enrage me. Hmmm...

I am probably not a member of the demographic this book may be aimed at.

However, having never been tempted to buy any of the additional Star Wars merchandise or novelizations (okay, I admit I would like to build the lego ships), or even to watch Episodes I, II, or III more than once, it was a nice glimpse into what these other books have to offer--which for some reason I had always assumed were just more of the same caliber as the movies themselves or worse (cranked out drivel).

Overall, I give this a 3.5-4.0 because I largely enjoyed the essays, and in the end, learned a lot more about the EU (The Extended Universe) than I would have had I continued on in my Star Wars starved existence. One of the other reviewers said it was a must for a "complete" Star Wars collection. I would say, it is a must for anyone who is determined to have a minimalist Star Wars collection.

Star Wars on Trial: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Debate the Most Popular Science Fiction Films of All Time (Smart Pop series) Overview

** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED **

 

Debates on the authenticity of the Star Wars franchise and the hero-or-villain status of George Lucas are at the heart of these essays by bestselling science-fiction authors. The incredible popularity of the movies has led to the formation of strong emotions within the science fiction community on the strengths and flaws of the films, exemplified here by David Brin's attacks and Matthew Woodring Stover's defense of the movies. This intense examination of the epic works addresses a broad range of issues—from politics, religion, and the saga's overall logic to the impact of the series on bookshelf space as well as science-fiction film. The question Is George Lucas a hero for bringing science fiction to a mass audience or a villain who doesn't understand the genre he's working for? is discussed before a final "Judge's Verdict" on the greatness—or weakness—of the franchise is reached.

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The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume 3

The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume 3 Review

A mismatch anthology with only a few standouts, several lukewarm pieces, and a few real duds. Also, though I didn't factor it in the review, the pagination was a bit screwy--especially toward the second end of the book--so that page numbers didn't match-up with the table of contents. Overall grade: C+

"Rescue Mission" by Jack Skillingstead. Sentient biosphere drugs astronaut. Rescue follows. That's pretty much it. D

"The Fixation" by Alastair Reynolds. I'm becoming a fan of his. The Antikythera Mechanism and the many worlds hypothesis. B+

"Artifacts" by Stephen Baxter. Another brilliant piece from this "hard science" fiction writer. What I like about him is that he often infuses his stories with the human element, making them much more than just an extrapolation of a neat scientific idea into story form. Often sad and melancholy (as this is) but always great. A

"Necroflux Day" by John Meaney. A science fantasy piece about the strange power source of a civilization. B

"Providence" by Paul DiFilippo. Sentient robots talking like twelve-year-olds after us fleshy "carnals" have been destroyed and the robots get "high" off of vinyl records. And what an anti-climatic ending. Give me a break! C-

"Carnival Nights" by Warren Hammond. Police procedural/crime noir set in the far future. What happens when you augment someone too much? B

"The Assistant" by Ian Whates. Somewhat like "The Fixation" in that it uses alternate realities to do stuff in this reality. This time it's nano-engineered bugs. B

"Glitch" by Scott Edelman. The glitch is that some robots believe in mythical creatures called "humans." One whiny robot finds that her dead lover (how he dies isn't really clear) believes in these creatures and sends her into an existential tailspin. Robots with gender and the mythical humans constantly being addressed in the second-person "you" highlight this boring (I had to trudge through it in two sittings, despite its short length) and poorly thought-out story. D

"One of our Bastards is Missing" by Paul Cornell. An alternate history story in a setting with future technology? Not too sure. The story did keep me reading, but by the end all I truly understood was that one of their bastards was missing. C

"Woodpunk" by Adam Roberts. It's cyberpunk with trees! Get it? Not really. I guess I was supposed to think it as high-minded but it came across as banal and overly violent. Plus, I couldn't figure out the main character's gender. C

"Minya's Astral Angels" by Jennifer Pelland. Humans still rule human-founded civilization in the far future and post-human "Mods" are slaves. But wait!--there's a legal loophole. There's always a legal loophole. C+

"The Best Monkey" by Daniel Abraham. An investigative journalist investigates the phenomenal success of one company and thus stumbles upon a Big Idea. Maybe I got it. Maybe I didn't. If I did get it, then it left plot holes the size of the Grand Canyon. C-

"Long Stay" by Ian Watson. A quirky slipstream piece that keeps you wondering, "Why is this science fiction?" till the end. B-

"A Soul Stitched to Iron" by Tim Akers. A steam-punk tale set in an alternate world about the horror one family uses in order to achieve greatness and the sad, lonely machine that is that horror. A

"iThink, therefore I am" by Ken Macleod. Funny mock ad about the descendant of the iPod, with philosophy. B

The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume 3 Feature

• ISBN13: 9781844165995
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction Volume 3 Overview

Solaris has become known for its high quality anthologies. This SF collection is no exception with all original short stories from some of the world's finest genre authors.

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