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OverviewWhile students and general readers typically cannot relate to esoteric definitions of science fiction, they readily understand the genre as a literature that characteristically deals with subjects such as new inventions, space, robot and aliens. This book looks at science fiction in precisely this manner, with twenty-one chapters that each deal with a subject that is repeatedly addressed in science fiction of recent centuries. Based on a packet of original essays that the author assembled for his classes, the book could serve as a supplemental textbook in science fiction classes, but also contains material of interest to science fiction scholars and others devoted to the genre. In some cases, chapters offer thorough surveys of numerous works involving certain subjects, such as imagined vehicles, journeys beneath the Earth and undersea adventures, discovering intriguing patterns in the ways that various writers developed their ideas. When comprehensive coverage of ubiquitous topics such as robots, aliens and the planet Mars is impossible, chapters focus on major themes referencing selected texts. A conclusion discusses other science fiction subjects that were omitted for various reasons, and a bibliography lists additional resources for the study of science fiction in general and the topics of each chapter. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Gary WestfahlPublisher: McFarland & Co Inc Imprint: McFarland & Co Inc Dimensions: Width: 17.80cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 25.40cm Weight: 0.540kg ISBN: 9781476686592ISBN 10: 1476686599 Pages: 297 Publication Date: 07 October 2022 Recommended Age: From 18 years Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Paperback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: Manufactured on demand  We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier. Table of ContentsTable of Contents Acknowledgments viii Introduction 1 The Hardware of Science Fiction Machines—Our Machines, Ourselves: The Objects of Science Fiction 3 Weapons—Fifty Ways to Kill Your Lover: The Weapons of Science Fiction 11 Vehicles—Going Mobile: Advanced Vehicles in Science Fiction 22 Spaceships—Rockets to Ride: The Spaceships of Science Fiction 41 Monuments and Memorabilia—Messages to the Future, Intended and Unintended, in Fact and Fiction 51 The Settings of Science Fiction Under the Earth—Homes, Horrors, and History: Subterranean Science Fiction 63 Under the Sea—Water, Water, Only Occasionally Everywhere: Aquatic Science Fiction 74 The Past and Future—Time Out of Mind: Journeys through Time in Science Fiction 86 Future Earths—The (Mostly Unpleasant) Fate of the Earth 96 Outer Space—The Frightful Frontier: Space as a Setting in Science Fiction 113 Space Stations—Space Stations, in Fact and Fiction 129 The Moon—Humanity’s Inviting, and Forbidding, Nearest Neighbor 134 Mars—Reading Mars: Changing Images of the Red Planet 146 Venus—Venus of Dreams … and Nightmares: Changing Images of Earth’s Sister Planet 164 The Characters of Science Fiction Children—The Boys (and Girls) Who Would Be King: The Children of Wonder 175 Scientists—Alchemists, Athletes, and Achievers: Three Images of Scientists in Science Fiction 181 Superheroes—The Gods Next Door: Superheroes as Reflections of American Values 189 Animals and Plants—Our Alien Neighbors and Their DisTable of Contents 195 Future Humans—The Way We Will Be, and the Way We Are: Tomorrow’s Humanity and Today’s Humanity 211 Robots—Eying Robots: A Discussion of the Literature of Artificial Intelligence 217 Aliens—The Company We Seek: Aliens in Fact and Fiction 227 Conclusion 235 Bibliography 239 Index 255Reviews“Fascinating and thought-provoking…unreservedly recommended”—Midwest Book Review """Fascinating and thought-provoking...unreservedly recommended""--Midwest Book Review" Author InformationGary Westfahl, a professor emeritus at the University of La Verne, California, has authored, edited, or co-edited 31 books about science fiction and fantasy, and hundreds of articles and reviews. In 2003, he received the Science Fiction Research Association’s Pilgrim Award for his lifetime contributions to science fiction and fantasy scholarship. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |
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