The Man with the Strange Head and Other Early Science Fiction Stories (Bison Frontiers of Imagination) - Softcover

Breuer, Miles J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0803215878 ISBN 13: 9780803215870

Publisher: Bison Books, 2008

Synopsis

Gathered here for the first time are Miles J. Breuer’s first publication, “The Man with the Strange Head”; his neglected dystopian novel Paradise and Iron (appearing here in book form for the first time); stories such as “Gostak and the Doshes” and “Mechanocracy”; and Breuer’s essay “The Future of Scientifiction,” one of the early critical statements of the genre. Also included are some of the author’s letters from the Discussions column of Amazing Stories.
 
Much of what we know as science fiction saw the light—and found its themes, styles, and modes—in the science fiction magazines of the early twentieth century. It was in these magazines of the 1920s and 1930s that Breuer often led the way. Breuer himself found his inspiration in the work of H. G. Wells and in turn influenced science fiction masters from Jack Williamson to Robert A. Heinlein. The Man with the Strange Head and Other Early Science Fiction Stories collects the best work of this pioneer of the genre.

About this title

About the Author

Miles J. Breuer (1889–1945) was a prominent physician in Lincoln, Nebraska, and a pioneer writer of science fiction for magazines in the 1920s and 1930s. Michael R. Page received his PhD in English from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He teaches courses in nineteenth-century British literature and in science fiction and his work has appeared in scholarly journals.

From Publishers Weekly

This collection of stories and nonfiction primarily showcases the unique ideas that earned Breuer (1889-1947) recognition as a pioneering writer in the early days of modern science fiction. In the title story, a crippled man's prosthetic body continues operating after his death. "Mars Colonizes" answers The War of the Worlds, suggesting the Martians might do better to just move to Earth and buy up real estate. Breuer's most famous story, "The Gostok and the Doshes," carries its protagonist to another dimension, where nations go to war over an incomprehensible nonsense phrase; while not tremendously sophisticated, it does rise toward eloquent irony as a satire on totalitarian nationalism. Though more imaginative than eloquent, Breuer's work is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in the genre's early influences.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Bison Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0803215878
• ISBN 13: 9780803215870
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 472
• Editor: Page Michael R.