Promotional Information

The first comprehensive critical study of hard science fiction, this book reveals how the term hard science fiction originated, and closely examines three representative works.

About the Author

Gary Westfahl is adjunct professor at the University of La Verne, CA. He has published numerous articles on science fiction and fantasy in journals, magazines, critical anthologies, and reference books. He is the also the author of several forthcoming books on science fiction and fantasy, and coeditor of three forthcoming anthologies.

Reviews

"As in his other work, Gary Westfahl's Cosmic Engineers combines extensive research and unexpected insights about hard science fiction. Unlike other commentators, he pays close attention to the statements of hard science fiction writers in making judgements and analyzing texts. Some may argue with his conclusions, but all will agree that he is making a valuable contribution to the debate."-Gregory Benford

"Gary Westfahl carefully slices away all the nonsense in this trendy subject, leaving a very small but fascinating core."-Damon Knight

?Westfahl has learned the good trick of packing theexamples in at the same time that his choice of examples is devastatingly true to his sense of "definition."?-Appearing in Extrapolation

?Westfahl offers an extended definition of hard science fiction--i.e., scientifically accurate SF that does not go beyond current scientific knowledge. He distinguishes between two forms--near-future extrapolation of current scientific developments and the far-future projection of large developments and strange (but scientifically plausible) worlds. Highly recommended for academic libraries with SF collections and for large public libraries.?-Choice

"Westfahl has learned the good trick of packing theexamples in at the same time that his choice of examples is devastatingly true to his sense of "definition.""-Appearing in Extrapolation

"Westfahl offers an extended definition of hard science fiction--i.e., scientifically accurate SF that does not go beyond current scientific knowledge. He distinguishes between two forms--near-future extrapolation of current scientific developments and the far-future projection of large developments and strange (but scientifically plausible) worlds. Highly recommended for academic libraries with SF collections and for large public libraries."-Choice