The Issue at Hand

"The Issue at Hand," is Blish's first collection of his science fiction criticism. For many years, hiding under a cloak of anonymity, the most penetrating critic of the field of magazine science fiction was known as "William Atheling, Jr." It soon became a challenge to guess his real identity. No easy game, for Atheling's dissection spared no one, not even his other ego, the noted science-fiction writer James Blish, not to mention Heinlein, Van Vogt, and a plethora of Hugo awardees. This volume concentrates on science-fiction in the SF magazines from 1952 to 1963. Atheling's skillful rapier skewers literary malefactors of many kinds, including some well-known authors whose great popularity is all the more puzzling because there seems to be so little reason for it. This is not only a textbook for students of writing. It is a vastly entertaining collection in its own right, affording many hours of pleasant and informative reading and re-reading, urging the reader ahead with the wry comments, unexpected humor, and undeviating attention to standards that were the hallmarks of William Atheling, Jr. Excellent condition, no bumps or dings with minimal handling marks, boards and binding flat and square. Pages are tanning from age but not brittle or damaged. All and all, excellent condition to add to a collection of literary criticism of Science Fiction in the plups. DJ in excellent condition, exception is yellowing at binding, covered by Highsmith Mylar sleeve. Has brail labels afixed to back cover.…