What Makes This Book So Great


Book Description

As any reader of Jo Walton's Among Others might guess, Walton is both an inveterate reader of SF and fantasy, and a chronic re-reader of books. In 2008, then-new science-fiction mega-site Tor.com asked Walton to blog regularly about her re-reading—about all kinds of older fantasy and SF, ranging from acknowledged classics, to guilty pleasures, to forgotten oddities and gems. These posts have consistently been among the most popular features of Tor.com. Now this volumes presents a selection of the best of them, ranging from short essays to long reassessments of some of the field's most ambitious series. Among Walton's many subjects here are the Zones of Thought novels of Vernor Vinge; the question of what genre readers mean by "mainstream"; the underappreciated SF adventures of C. J. Cherryh; the field's many approaches to time travel; the masterful science fiction of Samuel R. Delany; Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children; the early Hainish novels of Ursula K. Le Guin; and a Robert A. Heinlein novel you have most certainly never read. Over 130 essays in all, What Makes This Book So Great is an immensely readable, engaging collection of provocative, opinionated thoughts about past and present-day fantasy and science fiction, from one of our best writers. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.




A Fire Upon The Deep


Book Description

Now with a new introduction for the Tor Essentials line, A Fire Upon the Deep is sure to bring a new generation of SF fans to Vinge's award-winning works. A Hugo Award-winning Novel! “Vinge is one of the best visionary writers of SF today.”-David Brin Thousands of years in the future, humanity is no longer alone in a universe where a mind's potential is determined by its location in space, from superintelligent entities in the Transcend, to the limited minds of the Unthinking Depths, where only simple creatures, and technology, can function. Nobody knows what strange force partitioned space into these "regions of thought," but when the warring Straumli realm use an ancient Transcendent artifact as a weapon, they unwittingly unleash an awesome power that destroys thousands of worlds and enslaves all natural and artificial intelligence. Fleeing this galactic threat, Ravna crash lands on a strange world with a ship-hold full of cryogenically frozen children, the only survivors from a destroyed space-lab. They are taken captive by the Tines, an alien race with a harsh medieval culture, and used as pawns in a ruthless power struggle. Tor books by Vernor Vinge Zones of Thought Series A Fire Upon The Deep A Deepness In The Sky The Children of The Sky Realtime/Bobble Series The Peace War Marooned in Realtime Other Novels The Witling Tatja Grimm's World Rainbows End Collections Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge True Names At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.




Masterpieces


Book Description

A collection of the best science fiction short stories of the 20th century as selected and evaluated by critically-acclaimed author Orson Scott Card. Featuring stories from the genre's greatest authors: Isaac Asimov • Arthur C. Clarke • Robert A. Heinlein • Ursula K. Le Guin • Ray Bradbury • Frederik Pohl • Harlan Ellison • George Alec Effinger • Brian W. Aldiss • William Gibson & Michael Swanwick • Theodore Sturgeon • Larry Niven • Robert Silverberg • Harry Turtledove • James Blish • George R. R. Martin • James Patrick Kelly • Karen Joy Fowler • Lloyd Biggle, Jr. • Terry Bisson • Poul Anderson • John Kessel • R.A. Lafferty • C.J. Cherryh • Lisa Goldstein • Edmond Hamilton In much of the science fiction of the past, the twenty-first century existed only in the writers’ imaginations. Now that it’s here, it’s time to take a look back at the last one hundred years in science fiction through the works of the most celebrated and acclaimed authors of the century—to see where we’ve been and just how far we’ve come. Along with a critical essay by Orson Scott Card reassessing science fiction in the twentieth century, Masterpieces includes short fiction by writers who have forged a permanent place for science fiction in the popular culture of today...and tomorrow. It offers a glimpse of the greatest works that mixed science with fiction in trying to figure out humanity’s place in the universe. Featuring bold, brave, and breathtaking stories, this definitive collection will stand the test of time in both this century and those to come.




The Best of the Best


Book Description

Features the finest science fiction writings from the past two decades of the annual "The Year's Best Science Fiction," including writings from such authors as Greg Bear, Pat Cadigan, Robert Silverberg, and Ursula K. Le Guin.




American Science Fiction


Book Description

Collects nine classic science fiction novels from 1953 to 1958.




Great Illustrated Classics


Book Description

The Pearson Education Library Collection offers you over 1200 fiction, nonfiction, classic, adapted classic, illustrated classic, short stories, biographies, special anthologies, atlases, visual dictionaries, history trade, animal, sports titles and more




Non-Stop


Book Description

A “brilliant . . . classic of the field” generation ship adventure from the Golden Age of Science Fiction by the author of the Helliconia Trilogy (Encyclopedia of Science Fiction). Non-Stop is Grand Master of Science Fiction and Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author Brian W. Aldiss’s debut novel. Written in response to Robert Heinlein’s Orphans of the Sky and published in the late 1950s, it is set in a primitive world, home to tribes of inhabitants who endure their harsh and stunted lives in a maze of corridors. Though legends exist that they’re actually on a ship traveling through the universe, no one really believes it. But that conviction doesn’t stop a group of people from embarking on a mission to find the rumored “Forwards” section and its control room. Through a tangled, hydroponic jungle, they’ll encounter telepathic animals, giants, outcasts, and mutants in an epic race to uncover the truth—and survive . . . “A breakneck ride filled with some truly disturbing and chaotic imagery . . . Aldiss’ world is visceral and powerful.” —Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations “Worth reading, and quite a significant contribution to the long SF history of generation ship novels.” —SF Site Praise for Brian W. Aldiss “A major figure in world SF . . . Whatever else Aldiss may be, predictable he is not.” —The Guardian “One of the most influential—and one of the best—SF writers Britain has ever produced.” —Iain M. Banks, award-winning author of the Culture series “One of the most important SF writers of the 20th century.” —Publishers Weekly




Must-See Sci-fi


Book Description

Spanning nine decades and branded by the most trusted authority on film, Turner Classic Movies: Must-See Sci-Fi showcases 50 of the most shocking, weird, wonderful, and mind-bending movies ever made. From A Trip to the Moon (1902)to Arrival (2016), science fiction cinema has produced a body of classics with a broader range of styles, stories, and subject matter than perhaps any other film genre. They are movies that embed themselves in the depths of the mind, coloring our view of day-to-day reality and probably fueling a few dreams (and nightmares) along the way. In Turner Classic Movies: Must-See Sci-Fi, fifty unforgettable films are profiled, including beloved favorites like The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and Fantastic Voyage (1966), groundbreaking shockers like Planet of the Apes (1968) and Alien (1979), and lesser-known landmarks like Things to Come (1936) and Solaris (1972). Illustrated by astounding color and black-and-white images, the book presents the best of this mind-bending genre, detailing through insightful commentary and behind-the-scenes stories why each film remains essential viewing. A perfect gift for any film buff or sci-fi fanatic!




The Greatest Sci-Fi Classics


Book Description

The Greatest Sci-Fi Classics collection presents an unparalleled assembly of pioneering works that have shaped and defined the science fiction genre. Spanning a broad spectrum of themesfrom the social commentary of dystopian futures to the thrilling adventures in unexplored worldsthis anthology boasts an impressive diversity in literary styles. Among these pages lie the foundational texts of science fiction, with narratives that explore the human condition through speculative technological advancements and the exploration of the unknown. Notable for both its historic significance and the depth of its imaginative visions, this collection offers readers a journey through the evolution of the genre. The authors featured in this anthology represent a veritable whos who of science fictions progenitors. Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Mary Shelley are just a few of the visionary writers whose work is included, each contributing to the tapestry of themes and ideas that define science fiction. Their collective body of work encompasses a range of cultural, philosophical, and scientific thought from the 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting the periods burgeoning interest in technological progress and its potential impacts on society. Through their stories, these authors not only entertained but also provoked thoughtful consideration of future possibilities. The Greatest Sci-Fi Classics offers readers a unique opportunity to explore a rich landscape of science fiction literature within a single volume. It serves as both an educational resource and a treasure trove of entertainment, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the worlds conceived by some of the genres most influential minds. This anthology is recommended for anyone interested in witnessing the genesis of science fiction as a literary form, engaging with the diverse perspectives it encompasses, and appreciating the dialogues it prompts about our future. The collection stands as a testament to the enduring power of science fiction to captivate the imagination and inspire reflection on humanitys path forward.




The Greatest Sci-Fi Classics


Book Description

The Greatest Sci-Fi Classics anthology brings together an unprecedented assemblage of narrative ingenuity, showcasing the evolution and diversity of the science fiction genre. Within its pages, readers will traverse a landscape of literary experimentation, from the gothic futurism of Mary Shelley to the riveting adventures of Jules Verne, and the dystopian visions of H.G. Wells. This collection highlights the genres capacity to critique societal norms, explore philosophical quandaries, and imagine the uncharted territories of the future, making it a significant compendium for both its historical breadth and its thematic depth. The anthology not only celebrates the well-known pioneers but also illuminates the contributions of lesser-known authors whose works have been foundational to the genres development, creating a rich tapestry of speculative fiction. This selection of authors represents a wide array of backgrounds, from the groundbreaking scientific romances of H.G. Wells to the psychological depth of Edgar Allan Poe, and the feminist utopias of Charlotte Perkins Gilman. These authors, drawn from the 19th and early 20th centuries, collectively contributed to the shaping and challenging of the boundaries of the genre. Their works, reflecting the technological optimism and anxieties of their times, engage with themes of imperialism, science, morality, and identity, offering insights into the complex relationship between humanity and its creations. The anthology thus serves as a dialogue among some of the most influential voices in science fiction, mapping the genres evolution in response to shifting cultural landscapes. The Greatest Sci-Fi Classics is essential reading for anyone interested in the origins and development of science fiction. It invites readers to explore a multitude of perspectives, narrative techniques, and thematic explorations, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. This anthology provides a unique opportunity to engage with the works that have not only entertained but also profoundly influenced our understanding of the world and the myriad possibilities of the future. Through its comprehensive scope and the variety of its contributions, this collection encourages a deeper appreciation and critical engagement with the science fiction genre.