Age of Wonders: Exploring The World of Science Fiction - Softcover

Hartwell, David G.

3.71

59 ratings by Goodreads

9780312862350: Age of Wonders: Exploring The World of Science Fiction

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0312862350 ISBN 13: 9780312862350

Publisher: Tor Books, 1996

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An insider's view of the strange and wonderful world of science fiction, by one of the most respected editors in the field.

David G. Hartwell has been editing science fiction and fantasy for over twenty years. In that time, he has worked with acclaimed and popular writers such as Robert A. Heinlein, Poul Anderson, Frank Herbert, Roger Zelazny, Robert Silverberg, Gene Wolfe, Nancy Kress, L.E. Modesitt, Terry Bisson, Lisa Goldstein, and Philip Jose Farmer, and discovered hot new talentes like Kathleen Ann Goonan and Patrick O'Leary. Now in Age of Wonder, Hartwell describes the field he has loved, worked in, and shaped as editor, critic, and anthologist.

Like those other American art forms, jazz, comics, and rock 'n' roll, science fiction is the product of a rich and fascinating subculture. Age of Wonder is a fascinating tour of the origins, history, and culture of the science fiction world, written with insight and genuine affection for this wonder-filled literature, and addressed to newcomers and longtime SF readers alike.

Newly revised for the 1990's, Age of Wonder remains "the landmark work" Roger Zelazny called the first edition. Hartwell has revised the body of the book to take into account the past twelve years' changes in the literary landscape and the publishing marketplace, and added substantial new sections that contain advice on teaching courses in science fiction, disquisitions on the controversial subgenre of hard SF, and practical explanations of the economics of publishing science fiction and fantasy. Age of Wonder still lives up to Hugo and Nebula Award winnter Vonda McIntyre's description: "An entertaining and provocative book that will insprie discussion and argument for years to come."

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Review:

Do you know what the term "fannish" means? How about "filk" or "fen"? Or "Twonk's Disease"? If not, there's a good chance you're a mundane, which is to say you're not a hardcore SF fan. For you, David G. Hartwell--one of the field's finest editors and most stalwart champions--has written Age of Wonders, a book about the inner workings of the SF cognoscenti. It is an intriguing look into the rabid subculture spawned by science fiction that also offers insights into why some people give up reading SF in their teens, while for others it becomes a lifelong passion.

About the Author:

David G. Hartwell is one of science fiction's most experienced and infuential editiors. A winner of the World Fantasy Award, Hartwell has edited many anthologies including The Ascent of Wonder: The Evolution of Hard Science Fiction (with Kathryn Cramer), The World Treasury of Science Ficiton, and a new annual series, Year's Best SF, from HarperCollins. He has also received fifteen Hugo nominations.

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