Science-Fiction: The Gernsback Years: A Complete Coverage of the Genre Magazines Amazing, Astounding, Wonder, and Others from 1926 Through 1936

Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Survey of Early 20th Century SF
Review: Simply put: an essential survey/guide to the 1926-1936 era of (mainly) American sf. Bleiler has read _everything_ published in the magazines during this time period, gives a synopsis of the story, offers historical notes, and quite often comments on the importance (or lack thereof) of the story. David H. Keller comes in for some deadly bone-crushing comments. Bleiler has also tracked down biographical information, going so far as to search Social Security death records. And there's much more, far too much to list here.

Having read a fair number of these stories, his comments are quite accurate (most of what was published by Gernsback is awful dreck, but there were a few important stories published too).

If you have any interest in the this early era of SF this is an essential book for the shelf. And it's fun to read the plot summaries of some absolutely dreadful stories!

Nonminated for the 1999 Hugo for Best Related Book (previously the Non-Fiction category).

Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Survey of Early 20th Century SF
Review: Simply put: an essential survey/guide to the 1926-1936 era of (mainly) American sf. Bleiler has read _everything_ published in the magazines during this time period, gives a synopsis of the story, offers historical notes, and quite often comments on the importance (or lack thereof) of the story. David H. Keller comes in for some deadly bone-crushing comments. Bleiler has also tracked down biographical information, going so far as to search Social Security death records. And there's much more, far too much to list here.

Having read a fair number of these stories, his comments are quite accurate (most of what was published by Gernsback is awful dreck, but there were a few important stories published too).

If you have any interest in the this early era of SF this is an essential book for the shelf. And it's fun to read the plot summaries of some absolutely dreadful stories!

Nonminated for the 1999 Hugo for Best Related Book (previously the Non-Fiction category).