A classic updated, this completely revised fifth edition offers a historical perspective on science fiction plus incomparable coverage of contemporary and early SF titles.
How to Use This Guide Preface Contributors I. The Primary Literature—A Critical History1. The Emergence of Science Fiction, 1516–1914 Brian Stableford 2. Science Fiction Between the Wars: 1915–1939 Brian Stableford 3. From the Golden Age to the Atomic Age: 1940–1963 Paul A. Carter 4. The New Wave and After, 1964–1983 Michael M. Levy 5. Cyberpunk and Beyond, 1984–2004 Michael M. Levy II. The Primary Literature—Annotated BibliographyAnnotated Bibliography III. The Secondary Literature—Annotated Bibliography6. Science Fiction: Publishing, Reviewing, Readers, and Libraries Neil Barron 7. General Reference Works Neil Barron 8. Online Resources Neil Barron and William Contento 9. History and Criticism Gary K. Wolfe 10. Author Studies Richard L. McKinney, Neil Barron, and Michael A. Morrison 11. Science Fiction in Film, Television, and Radio Joseph Milicia and Michael Klossner 12. Science Fiction Illustration Walter Albert and Neil Barron 13. Science Fiction Magazines and Fandom Joe Sanders 14. Teaching Science Fiction Dennis M. Kratz 15. Research Library Collections of Science Fiction Hal W. Hall 16. Listings Neil BarronBest Books Awards Series Young Adult Books Translations Organizations Author Index Title Index Theme Index
NEIL BARRON editor of previous editions of this popular and critically acclaimed work, has written extensively in the field of speculative fiction. In 1982 he received the Pilgrim award for his overall contributions to science fiction and fantasy scholarship.
"Neil Barron's Anatomy of Wonder is one of the small number of
reference books which are truly essential to scholars starting out
investigating science fiction... This is a book which anyone
engaged in the study or teaching of sf will need to consult
regularly, and will expect to find in their libraries... [I]t will
make their lives so much easier."-Foundation
?A few works of science fiction criticism are so significant as
tools for the researcher, student, and casual reader that they are
on the short list of must-haves for any science fiction library.
Barron's Anatomy of Wonder is one such book. From its opening poem,
"The End of Science Fiction," to its indices, this book is
essential for its valuable and insightful essays, its very thorough
annotated bibliographies, and its extensive listings of books
(fiction and nonfiction), awards, foreign language works, and
organizations.... This is a powerful work that belongs on the
bookshelf of anyone who engages in the world of science fiction,
whether as a teacher, researcher, student, or casual reader.
Bravo.?-SFRA Science Fiction Research Association
?A top pick any serious science fiction collection should
include.?-Library Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review/MBR Internet
Bookwatch
?An indispensable work, thoughtful, clear, well-written,
overwhelmingly reliable, and--in the absence of an update of the
Clute/Nicholls Encyclopedia of Science Fiction--probably the most
useful single-volume reference to English-language
written.?-Science Fiction Studies
?An update of a book widely considered to be one of the bibles of
scholarship on the genre. It offers an overview of the
English-language science-fiction field for a wide audience,
including casual readers, devoted fans, librarians, teachers, and
scholars. The volume is divided into three parts: a history of
science fiction; a critical examination of 1400 novels,
single-author collections, and multiple-author anthologies; and a
survey of the secondary literature such as film and
illustration.... There have been many changes made since the fourth
edition: young adult books have been integrated with the adult
books in the annotated bibliography section, Web sites and author
e-mail addresses have been added, and the comics section and poetry
have been dropped. The third edition was the last to have an
extensive listing of science fiction in 13 languages, so libraries
that still have it may want to keep it even if they plan to update.
This is a book that belongs in every public library.?-The Green Man
Review
?Anatomy of Wonder should be one of the standard tools kept over
the workbench. No electricity or ISP required.?-LOCUS
?In its fifth edition, Barron's Anatomy continues to be a wonder.
Part bibliography, part best books list, it is a Swiss Army tool
for sci-fi scholars, librarians, and fans. Following a critical
survey of the genre, Anatomy offers a selected list of 1,400
novels, stories, and anthologies that represent the best of science
fiction. Annotations outline each work's plot, historical
significance, and theme. The rest of Anatomy consists of lists of
secondary literature: reference works, criticism, author studies,
even resources for teaching science fiction. Updates include
integration of young adult titles, an expanded theme index, and a
list of online resources.... Anatomy remains the seminal guide for
the genre, a science fiction universe which readers and researchers
will find worth exploring. Highly recommended. All
collections.?-Choice
?It is the best, up-to-date, all-in-one reference guide to what's
available for pleasure reading in the market today...a real
bargain. I'd certainly say without hesitation that it's an
essential acquisition for librarians and serious readers of this
genre.?-School Library Journal
?Neil Barron's Anatomy of Wonder is one of the small number of
reference books which are truly essential to scholars starting out
investigating science fiction... This is a book which anyone
engaged in the study or teaching of sf will need to consult
regularly, and will expect to find in their libraries... [I]t will
make their lives so much easier.?-Foundation
?The fifth edition of this comprehensive, weighty guide features
many enhancements over the fourth. The overall coverage is
extensive, with three major sections presenting a series of essays
on the history of science fiction; annotated bibliographies of
primary and secondary literature; and author, title, and theme
indexes.... This resouce is a definitive work on the field of
science fiction, and would be of use in most college and university
libraries, as well as public libraries where genre readership is
significant.?-VOYA
?The opening essays brilliantly sum up the canon; the crisp,
evocative paragraphs on individual titles pique readerly interest;
and the massive guide to further critical reading is a map for
future study.?-Paul Di Filippo - On Books
?This guide serves many audiences. For the devoted reader; the
librarian providing readers' advisory; the collection development
librarian; the teacher, from elementary school to college, it is an
excellent resource. I would recommend this title as a necessary
addition to college and large public library collections. It should
be seriously considered for any library with a large readership of
science fiction fans.?-Collection Management
"A few works of science fiction criticism are so significant as
tools for the researcher, student, and casual reader that they are
on the short list of must-haves for any science fiction library.
Barron's Anatomy of Wonder is one such book. From its opening poem,
"The End of Science Fiction," to its indices, this book is
essential for its valuable and insightful essays, its very thorough
annotated bibliographies, and its extensive listings of books
(fiction and nonfiction), awards, foreign language works, and
organizations.... This is a powerful work that belongs on the
bookshelf of anyone who engages in the world of science fiction,
whether as a teacher, researcher, student, or casual reader.
Bravo."-SFRA Science Fiction Research Association
"An indispensable work, thoughtful, clear, well-written,
overwhelmingly reliable, and--in the absence of an update of the
Clute/Nicholls Encyclopedia of Science Fiction--probably the most
useful single-volume reference to English-language
written."-Science Fiction Studies
"An update of a book widely considered to be one of the bibles of
scholarship on the genre. It offers an overview of the
English-language science-fiction field for a wide audience,
including casual readers, devoted fans, librarians, teachers, and
scholars. The volume is divided into three parts: a history of
science fiction; a critical examination of 1400 novels,
single-author collections, and multiple-author anthologies; and a
survey of the secondary literature such as film and
illustration.... There have been many changes made since the fourth
edition: young adult books have been integrated with the adult
books in the annotated bibliography section, Web sites and author
e-mail addresses have been added, and the comics section and poetry
have been dropped. The third edition was the last to have an
extensive listing of science fiction in 13 languages, so libraries
that still have it may want to keep it even if they plan to update.
This is a book that belongs in every public library."-The Green Man
Review
"In its fifth edition, Barron's Anatomy continues to be a wonder.
Part bibliography, part best books list, it is a Swiss Army tool
for sci-fi scholars, librarians, and fans. Following a critical
survey of the genre, Anatomy offers a selected list of 1,400
novels, stories, and anthologies that represent the best of science
fiction. Annotations outline each work's plot, historical
significance, and theme. The rest of Anatomy consists of lists of
secondary literature: reference works, criticism, author studies,
even resources for teaching science fiction. Updates include
integration of young adult titles, an expanded theme index, and a
list of online resources.... Anatomy remains the seminal guide for
the genre, a science fiction universe which readers and researchers
will find worth exploring. Highly recommended. All
collections."-Choice
"It is the best, up-to-date, all-in-one reference guide to what's
available for pleasure reading in the market today...a real
bargain. I'd certainly say without hesitation that it's an
essential acquisition for librarians and serious readers of this
genre."-School Library Journal
"The fifth edition of this comprehensive, weighty guide features
many enhancements over the fourth. The overall coverage is
extensive, with three major sections presenting a series of essays
on the history of science fiction; annotated bibliographies of
primary and secondary literature; and author, title, and theme
indexes.... This resouce is a definitive work on the field of
science fiction, and would be of use in most college and university
libraries, as well as public libraries where genre readership is
significant."-VOYA
"ÝA¨n indispensable work, thoughtful, clear, well-written,
overwhelmingly reliable, and--in the absence of an update of the
Clute/Nicholls Encyclopedia of Science Fiction--probably the most
useful single-volume reference to English-language
written."-Science Fiction Studies
"ÝI¨t is the best, up-to-date, all-in-one reference guide to what's
available for pleasure reading in the market today....Ýi¨t's a real
bargain. I'd certainly say without hesitation that it's an
essential acquisition for librarians and serious readers of this
genre."-School Library Journal
"The opening essays brilliantly sum up the canon; the crisp,
evocative paragraphs on individual titles pique readerly interest;
and the massive guide to further critical reading is a map for
future study."-Paul Di Filippo - On Books
"[A]n indispensable work, thoughtful, clear, well-written,
overwhelmingly reliable, and--in the absence of an update of the
Clute/Nicholls Encyclopedia of Science Fiction--probably the most
useful single-volume reference to English-language
written."-Science Fiction Studies
"This guide serves many audiences. For the devoted reader; the
librarian providing readers' advisory; the collection development
librarian; the teacher, from elementary school to college, it is an
excellent resource. I would recommend this title as a necessary
addition to college and large public library collections. It should
be seriously considered for any library with a large readership of
science fiction fans."-Collection Management
"[I]t is the best, up-to-date, all-in-one reference guide to what's
available for pleasure reading in the market today....[i]t's a real
bargain. I'd certainly say without hesitation that it's an
essential acquisition for librarians and serious readers of this
genre."-School Library Journal
"A top pick any serious science fiction collection should
include."-Library Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review/MBR Internet
Bookwatch
"Anatomy of Wonder should be one of the standard tools kept over
the workbench. No electricity or ISP required."-LOCUS
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