Science Fiction and Fantasy Books

Many, many years ago I read this book to my former husband as a bedtime story. The book occasioned one of the few instances in which I laughed so hard I cried. Now I have a new husband and a new copy of the book. Who says you can't go back.

Okay, before you read too far into this review, keep in mind that I am only 13, and haven't read as many books as some of the other reviewers on this page, but I have read enough to know that I love this book. It's a fantasy lover's book. If you like E. Nesbit, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and other books by A. A. Milne, you will certainly enjoy this book as well. With a exciting plot, and humerous but loveable characters, this book is a must have.

Okay, before you read too far into this review, keep in mind that I am only 13, and haven't read as many books as some of the other reviewers on this page, but I have read enough to know that I love this book. It's a fantasy lover's book. If you like E. Nesbit, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and other books by A. A. Milne, you will certainly enjoy this book as well. With a exciting plot, and humerous but loveable characters, this book is a must have.

A.A.Milne wrote this fairytale after being in the army during WWI. the story is basically about how easy it is to get into war (and over very stupid reasons), and how no one REALLY wants to hurt every one, but they just want to look out for their own interests. The charecters are not your typical bad-vs-good and each one can be lovable in his or her own way, and there are also wonderful little stories inside the major plot line. one of the BEST books I have ever read.

This book is a wonderful story about a king, princess and an "evil" countess. The king, King Merriwig of Euralia, is in love with the Countess Belvane. Belvane has her sights set on becoming queen of Euralia. However, Princess Hyacinth is suspicious of how the countess acts. So the Princess enlists the help of Prince Udo from Araby. When Belvane finds out, she wishes for something humorous to happen to the prince on his journey - and it does! Now, Hyacinth must stop Belvane, help the prince all while keeping him from falling in love with the countess!

A. A. Milne has done it again with this story of pure fantasy. He did not write this book for children, as he states in his introduction, yet it is fun and exciting for all ages. If you need a great bedtime story, check this book out. Would you care for some light reading? "Once On A Time" is the book for you. I recommend this book with a happy heart and hope you will feel the same way too!

Palace of Laughter is a fable for our times. It is beautifully written, filled with hard wisdom and packed with radiant visual imagery. I think it would make a superb anime...the use of light reminded me of the best moments in Ghost in the Shell: Part II and Spirited Away.

The story line was interesting and something new to young adult readers, however, the way the author started EVERY chapter with "Miles Wednesday . . ." followed by a goofy description of the current situation drove me absolutely INSANE!

just purchased this book from amazon and enjoyed it very much. it's a gift for my neice but the cover intrigued me so much i had to read it first. right away i preordered tiger egg #2 of wednesday tale, palace of laughter which comes out first week in september 2007. can't wait.

The "Palace of Laughter" by Jon Berkley is truly an amazing book! The thrils and advendtures that Little and Miles take you through make you actually feel that you are really there! There is so much action and ups and downs in the book you really feel like you are one of the characters! Jon Berkley is an incredible author! You would really enjoy this book!

At the suggestions of a much respected librarian, I recently started seeking out more advanced books to use at bedtime reading with my six year old daughter. While I fully intend to rely on the classics I loved, such as Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, the Oz and Narnia books, I wanted to include some new items as well. My daughter has really wanted books with pictures - and fought moving away from that format. This novel is the second 'modern' book I've brought to the bedside and the one with the least illustrations at all. My daughter has yet to complain. The very visual language has helped her make the transition from pictures on the page and pictures in her imagination.

I have to disagree with the author of the book description in Amazon, the fact that every chapter starts with a defined description of Miles really helps set the tone for the start of the chapter. It reminds those of reading where we've been and how Miles feels as his adventure continues. The florid language is also a great vocabulary builder. There are times I have to stop and explain somethings - but that doesn't ruin the story in the least. As a matter of fact, both of us laughed when Miles thought to himself that he didn't understand a thing Little or Mrs. Partridge had said, and neither had my daughter. At least my daughter got an explanation.

This is a fun, thought-provoking novel that should hold up to re-reading as my daughter ages and as a reminder of the adventure before reading the next in the series - whenever it is forthcoming.

As a Players Guided in General this is a good product. I also like it cause it gives me some thing to let my players read seanse most the Planescape Products our really only worte for the DM.

[English]
The Planewalker's handbook is an invaluable resource for those enthusiasts who want to play or mastering PlaneScape. It describe and unveils so many details and aspects about characters creation not previously mentioned in the basic box.. besides show new concepts, races, environments, intrigues, opportunities, adventures hooks and magic. This book together with Factol's Manifesto and the basic box ARE the ELEMENTAL tools to understand, perceive and feel in the right way the multiverse.

[Spanish]
The Planewalker's handbook es un complemento indispensable para quienes quieran arbitrar o jugar PlaneScape, menciona y esclarece muchos detalles respecto de la creación de personajes que antes no habian sido mencionados (en la caja básica) e introduce nuevos conceptos, articulos, magia y razas. Este libro junto con The Factol Manifesto y el Set box (la caja básica) constituyen las herramientas elementales para empezar a entender correctamente el multiverso.

I am a budding DM for AD&D, and really needed some help with getting the Planescape campaign started. I bought this book, and it helped me incredibly. All the spells I thought the players should have, and new items, and options! If you ever intend to play Planescape, get this book. Sooner or later, you are going to need it!

It's the book with the usefullness of the Player's Handbook. It's informative, beautiful and for the Player and DM. It's got charts, new spells, kits, a guide to the races, planes and factions. Tips for DMs and Players and some new magic items. Plus, all-book (almost) illustrations from DiTerlizzi. A highly reccomended book.

Besides being a very beautiful book (marvelous drawings in full color by DiTerlizzi), it is the perfect complement for the Campaign Setting. I would say the 3 basic things you need to run a planescape campaign are the setting, a monstrous compendium (preferably the first one) and the planewalker's handbook. Among other useful information, it explains the "dark" of portals, gates, vortices, conduits, pools,etc. on a chapter that deals exclusively with planetraveling. Maybe they should have called it The Complete Book of Planescape.

A teenage boy travels up a winging road along Crooked Brook, to find a sign advertising for an apprentice of a wizard of the pyromancy disciple. He, Douglas Brightglade, applies, and is soon put to work learning what is needed to be a good pyromancer.

Soon, Dead Winter, a very cold winter, sets in. The people of Dukedom begin to starve and freeze. Douglas, and his master, Flarman Flowerstalk, set about helping the residents of Valley make it through the winter.

Then the journeys and battles begin...


Don Callander is skilled at showing many sides of the story, not just the main character's point of view. Chapters in the book are even from the point of view of the lesser-evil characters. I believe that this is so that the reader can see the stark contrast between them, and the pure evil king, who is so evil that there isn't a point of view from even him.

I loved this book, It takes a while to get into it, but once you are it is a wonderful story, makes me wish I lived in a land where such powerful magic existed, I can't wait o read Aquamancer :)

This is one great book! The best fantazy I have ever read. And Having in mind that it was translated to my language (Bulgarian), it must have lost one bit of it's magic in the translation process. So far I have read it more than 20 times, but soon I'll read it in original (English), to gain on the lost effect.

Wonderful!

This book is one of the novels that I like the best! I usually don't read novels very often, but I made an exception for this book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down! I've always been a fan of fantasy and sci-fi books, so I really liked Pyromancer, because it has a lot of fantasy elements in it. Basically this book is about Douglas Brightglade, a young boy who's chosen by Flarman Flowerstalk to be an apprentice Pyromancer. A Pyromancer is basically a fire wizard who conjures and controls all forms of fire. If you like this book, be sure to get the other books, as well!

The first time I read this book, I was about sixteen, and I loved it. I liked the characters and the style of the writing. I couldn't wait for the inevitable sequels. However, when I read it again, only two years later, it wasn't quite the same. I read the whole book and I couldn't put my finger on what was missing. Well, again two years passed and I read it one more time and that time I was able to identify what was less than perfect about it.

First, though, it was well-written. The book was fun. I will definitely read it again in the future and I will enjoy it. All the characters, even the little mentioned ones and the "bit players", are enjoyable and likable. The villians are bumbling and fun to laugh at and also somewhat likable. The first time I read it I got quite caught up in the plot and I enjoyed reading about the hero's training.

However, when I say the book is simplistic, I do mean it. The bad guys aren't really bad guys so much as fumbling and idiotic. They stood no chance at winning any time in the book and it was obvious. Plot holes popped up, but were ignored. It's written in such good spirit though, that it's sort of hard to complain about it.

I'd suggest this book to older children who like fantasy as a good entry point into reading more epic fantasy. (It's certainly better than a lot of the books out there for older children and teenagers, anyway.) I also suggest it for anybody who wants to read about the good guys triumph easily over the bad guys and then read about the celebration for that triumph.

I love this book! I simply couldn't put it down until I finished it

going into al's past was great...I loved this book! Read it

I just could not put this book down. If you are a fan of the Quantum Leap series on television then you will definitly enjoy this book.

This is by far the best of the Quantum Leap novels that I have been able to read. I couldn't put it down. (I recieved a detention for reading it while I should have been working in class) I have always wanted to hear more about Al, as he is never really the focus of attention, and this is just the book I was waiting for. I reccomend it to any Quantum Leap fan, especially those of you who think Al should get some more recognition. The plot is involved and very well written. One of my favorite books ever!

I just recently re-read this book for the 4th time and it brought my close to tears again at the depths of Al and Sam's friendship. While it is not necessary, I would reccommend seeing the folowing epsiodes before reading the book: Starcrossed, M.I.A, The Leap Home, and Vietnam. It will bring more enjoyment to the book. Storm was able to play off these episode emotions throughout the book and she did a great job of keeping the characters true to the Ql universe throughout the entire book. If you are not a QL fan now, you will be after reading this book.

Personnally, I think The Killer was the best of all six ( the five in print and the one e-book). I mean it's filled with excitement, and new talents are discovered along with new friends (well new to some,old to others). Allison even manges to work out something with her family. But the best part of the book is the ending, though I won't tell you what it is you'll have to read the book for that. But personally i liked this book and I liked all the others too. So buy and read this if you haven't already, because it 's great, and buy and read the others too!

L.J. Singleton does a great job in making the plot understandable, and exciting to the point where you wont be able to put this book down. You will find out who Chase is really attracted to(Varina or Sandee),and and if he is headed down the road of a serial killer. This book also features What really happened to Chase's parents,if Eric and Star Where truly meant for each other, and an ending with a bit of a "Jurasic Park" flavor.

L.J. Singleton is a great story teller and she comes up with another great story in book#5 of the Regeneration Series, The Killer. This is Chase's story.
Chase's DNA donor is revealed and a nosy reporter (a reoccurring character that appeared first in THE SEARCH) thinks he's destined to follow in "his father's" footsteps. She tries to gather evidence that says he's guilty of murder, but his friends know better. In trying to prove Chase's innocence, his "clone cousins" accidentally uncover more than they thought they'd find.
Chase isn't even aware of much of this conflict; he has a big one to deal with on his own. If it weren't for Varina's new power and help from all his friends, things would not go so well for Chase at the end.
In all this chaos, Allison finds a new love interest without even trying.
Though Ms. Singleton was only contracted for a 5 book series, she agrees it shouldn't be over yet and there IS a book #6. It's an e-book and it's FREE-for a limited time. Just go to her website to download it. Her web address is in each of her books.

L.J. Singleton does a great job in making the plot understandable, and exciting to the point where you wont be able to put this book down. You will find out who Chase is really attracted to(Varina or Sandee),and and if he is headed down the road of a serial killer. This book also features What really happened to Chase's parents,if Eric and Star Where truly meant for each other, and an ending with a bit of a "Jurasic Park" flavor.

Chase Rinaldi had run away from all his cloned friends. They all lived with Professor Fergus. But the one Chase had been cloned from was a killer that had been dubbed the Streamside Strangler long ago. Fearing his DNA would eventually make him snap and hurt one he cared for, he silently disappeared.

Dominique Eszlinger worked for EXPOSED magazine. She did not know Chase was a clone, but she did know who his biological father was. She found out that a high school friend of Chase's was murdered and she believed Chase did it! Dominique planned to write a huge article, a type of "Like Father, Like Son". However, the other "cloned cousins" refused to let that happen. They would locate Chase first and prove his innocence. Then there would be no story for the reporter.

As all this was going on, events took a few turns for the worse! Poachers were trying to kill Chase, Varina was learning about another special talent she had, and thugs were following a couple of friends!

***** Another winner! Wow! I thought it was cool that each clone had a talent. Now one shows she has two! This opens a world of opportunities. Each clone could have one or multiple special abilities that occur as they grow. I found myself glued to this one!

In my Czechoslovak childhood nightmares the horror began with rats emerging from walls and ceilings. I blame one of my school friends for the horror he caused me because he kept a domesticated rat as a pet. He seemed to have an almost messianic obsession with rats ;-)

In many ways D. P. Roseberry has written Animal Farm in the 21st Century. It is a fascinating story. Rats can do more than chew up the carpet or gnawed away a valuable furniture. Inside this book are many things which were unthought-of ... A great horror of horrors read.

Rodenticider is the book that announces Roseberry as a stunning new presence in suspense thrillers. Yes, there's a bit of 1950s B-movie hommage in this one, but that doesn't begin to do it justice. Roseberry has researched her rats as painstakingly as Crichton did dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. The result is a reading experience that not only rivets the reader, but gives them a much a sharper perspective of the subject at hand. These rats are just plain terrifying, too. Think of the shark in Jaws, or the velociraptors in the Jurassic Park series. These are viscous creatures, and part of the brilliance behind this work is that Roseberry gives us a "good guy" rat with the toungue-in-cheek name Snuggums. The idea of simultaneously hating the rats and yet rooting for one seems odd, but Roseberry makes it work and then some. This is one author I intend to follow from now on!

Rodenticider is a grisly account of a strange and menacing world just beyond the consciousness of us "Outer Earth dwellers." This clever tale is full of non-stop action, contrasting the good versus depraved nature of living creatures, both humans and whiskered beasts. The author uses absolute genius to maintain a connection between the reader and the book's unusual characters, allowing us to experience their intense terror, stubborn pride and underlying compassion. I found myself urging them on; not convinced there could be an acceptable outcome to their plight. Sorry to have it end, Rodenticider is a must read. It left me anxiously anticipating the sequel.

From page one, I was drawn into the story, so absorbed that I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I can relate to Bethany and her fear of rats and how she must have felt in the job she did. My imagination soared at the thought of an inner earth like the writer created. A must read for all sci-fi fans...or someone like me who just enjoys a wonderfully crafted story.

How can a story that gives me the creeps be considered good? Read Dinah's book & you'll get the drift. Excellent writing & interesting premise. Just amazing.

This series started in a very auspicious fashion, and in this second volume it already reaches an excellent level. When we left the story last time, Kenshin has just started his confrontation with Zanza, and now comes the time to see the conclusion. Those that like action will not be disappointed by the fight, but once again we get to see how Kenshin's past affects his current way of living and fighting. Later in the volume though, our hero will have to face a tough decision in this respect.

One of the things I like about the series is the time it spends going back and informing us about the history of important characters. In this volume we find out more about Zanza's past, and thus, understand the reasons behind his hatred for imperialists. Regarding other important characters, in the last chapter of this volume we meet Meugmi, a female doctor that is surrounded by a suspicious aura and who will be a key part of the story in the next volume.

This installment already shows the progression in terms of the skills of Kenshin's opponents, which will continue in volumes to come. Kenshin and his friends come across the deadly killer Kurogasa (means black rain hat), who is looking for a challenge, and therefore, wants Kenshin to become his old self and partake in a fight to death. You already know about Kenshin's promise regarding not killing again, so Kurogasa has to resort to messing with Kenshin's friends to enrage the Battousai. The question is: will Kenshin break his vow and kill again? You cannot afford to miss this! It is a delight to be able to read a series with such a compelling plot, great character development, effective humor and proficient graphics.

This is about a legendary swordsman named Kenshin. He killed men like an ogre as a hitokiri, but disappeared and reappeared again as a rurouni, a wanderer. I was hooked after the first two volumes. This novel also shows in particular Kenshins friendship with Kaoru, despite the fact its definitely not romantic...heh...

Rurouni Kenshin is great a series that really grows over time and becomes incredible in a few more volumes. I've read all 28 of the fan translated volumes and can't wait to buy the rest of the volumes as they're released by Viz. I have to wait for so long!! Vol 1-6 = Tokyo Arc, this is where the introductions of main characters are made. It sets the stage for a much bigger picture. Vol 7-17 = Kyoto Arc, the arc that made the anime series so popular. It's a great arc with an amazing story and great fights, and you just can't put it down. It also has much character development, and you love Kenshin and his group all the better. The saga is so well planned out that it's perfect. Vol 18-28 (end) = Jinchu(Revenge arc, human judgement) arc, just when you think Kenshin will settle down, the story gets better! We finally learn about Kenshin's famous scar and his past. People from Kenshin's past are back to haunt him and carry out their long-awaited revenge. This saga is the best of the series and was unfortunately never animated except in an OVA, which only showed how Kenshin got his scar. In the manga this is the end of vol. 19, all of 20, and the first few chapters of 21. Kenshin's past is a true tragedy, but he finally finds his answers in this arc. I can't believe that they left this incredible story unanimated. The TV series had nothing to do with the manga story after episode 62, and the OVA is dramatically different from the manga also.
Anyway, Kenshin really grows in art and storytelling throughout the series and never gets weak nor drags like the TV series after the legend of Kyoto.
It's the best series ever! You have to read it to experience all the humor, drama, fighting, and romance. It just grows on you!

I really enjoyed reading this novel. It finishes off the battle between Kenshin and Sanosuke, moves on to the creepy arrival of the assasin Jine Kurogasa, and ends with the introduction of Takane Megumi. Nobuhiro Watsuki pulls off more good script and illustations that include intense bloody battles, moving scenes, and comical antics that make it so popular. No other graphic novel really interested me as much until I read "Rorouni Kenshin", number one, because the show rocks, and two, I was familiar with the characters and plot. Now I've moved on to buying the other volumes, which are just as good.

I love this book!I want all of them I just wish I hadn't lost this one!It's funny really because I thaught they didn't have volume two here in parkersburg and so I waited until I went to charleston with my friends. Well they had volume 1-13 their. Well a month later I lose the book and they canceled Rurouni Kenshin on Toonami sniff sniff waaaah!So I go to the Waldenbooks here and they had all the Rurouni Kenshin books but couldn't see them!So I got volume3 and now I need $10.00 more dollars so I can buy volume2 again!
Your Friend,
New Rurouni Kenshin Fan

Genre: Fiction/Visionary and Metaphysical

Title: Sacred Vow

AUTHOR: C.G. WALTERS

The prologue begins, "Choice of the ritual location was dictated by nature just days before."
Chapter one begins, "No longer confined to material experience, Katerina crossed into the dimly lit room, invisible to its inhabitants." Either of these lines would make me read on.

A love story about Katerina and Ian, spiritual mates, living on parallel plains and two different worlds. Will their union become corporeal rather then ethereally? Will they be finally, be able to bond physically? This story will answer these questions.

Mr. Walters has written a compelling story with attention to detail. His characters, settings and dialogue enhance the premises of the story. I found the story had a good flow and paced well by Mr. Walters.

C.G. Walters was born on a farm in Efland, N.C., where his mother read to him as a small child. His lifelong fascination for earth-based spiritual philosophies, might just be a result of his initiation to the land on the farm. Since 1994, he and his wife reside in the mountains of N.C. in rustic conditions.

I found Sacred Vow to be a compelling story of two people bound ethereally; visit on each other's worlds. The idea of a Collective Consciousness appeals to me, not only as a reader, but personally as well. Are we some part of a larger whole? Are we pawns in someone's ideology? I found this story to give rise to thought as the two spiritual lovers explore what consciousness in their natural wolds is all about. I would highly recommend this book. Reviewer: Bob Medak, Allbooks Reviews.

"Sacred Vow" achieves what the author sets out to do in his fiction: momentarily bring the reader's conscious "defenses" down to gently expand the reader's concepts of self, reality, the world, the universe, Love.

It also achieves what few metaphysical books immediately achieve: explain to the reader (even someone new to metaphysical concepts) in an engaging, entertaining yet thought-provoking way certain metaphysical concepts like parallel lives and realities, without making the reader feel like being lectured, and in a way that makes the concepts easy to grasp at first read.

This is also the best romance book I've ever read so far: Love without the sex (!) but with a more intimate and intense lovemaking still, passion developed and grown to fulfillment in ways not many people have considered, with the real work and struggle of true loving as the real romance of it all.

I cried as I read the book, and wept quietly when I finished it, but the tears were healing and transformative.

"Sacred Vow" is an excellent work of romantic fiction about two individuals who by responding to a calling, realize they are soulmates living in parallel lifetimes. It is a novel of a love so strong as to be able to reach across to each other through different lifetimes and try to find a way to be together. Even though I've read a few books with a metaphysical theme, Sacred Vow has touched me deeply with its endearing romance, its positive message on the Collective Consciousness, the possibility of parallel realities and about soulmates finding each other through the sheer strength of their spiritual love for each other. This book has been a wonderful experience for me and I would highly recommend it to all readers.

Can the wind of a butterfly's wing effect climate on the other side of the world? Can the love of two souls heal a great wrong in the universe? C.G. Walters' novel "Sacred Vow," offers compelling thought to consider, and a page turning delight to cherish.

Ian Sarin enjoys his cup of tea but lately the ritual of it brings other delights. Visions of a woman play out in his perception, beckoning further visitation. Everything in the room must be just so, with teapot, caned chair, and Ian in place. He cannot hear her speak, but can see her mouthing words, sharing her life. Is this just a vision or is it something else? His reality soon becomes less important than the alternate one that he visits. Ian's health becomes affected and soon he needs help. While visiting an old friend in the mountains, he is introduced to Djalma, an interesting man whose presence comes into play in a large way. He will interact in Ian's life in ways he couldn't have imagined. The visions of Katerina become more intense and play out like episodes of a movie he has seen before. The question so important... why are the visits happening? The answer awaits on a scrap of paper that Ian had tucked away, a remnant of a dream, years before. He was chosen for this...but what exactly is this?

Reincarnation, collective consciousness, and life purpose all play large roles in this book. It is a deeply thoughtful and provocative tale that I could not put down. I so enjoyed the read that I simultaneously couldn't wait to get to the last page but also dreaded it ending. The author evokes a great understanding of these topics and the mysteries of the universe, yet shares his perceptions in a wonderfully easy to comprehend tone. Readers will come away wonder-filled and satisfied to have read "Sacred Vow."

Reviewed by Catherine Phelps for Reader Views (1/07)

When chosen by the Crone Mother to perform a ritual, Katrina begins her frantic search for the answer to settle the rift in the Collective Consciousness. Having trained for this high honor in the monastic order of mystical women, she reserves her position by seeking and finding her understudy. In discovering their bond, Katrina comes to the realization that it will be through their one spirit, and one true love that will determine the future of her world and his.

Ian, a computer programmer, has been preparing for their meeting without an order to guide and instruct him. Unknown to him, this true love bond leads him to understand a dream of their union. For years, he has prepared their meeting place in his study so that the energy and timing of their visits will happen.

The couple transcends their parallel realities and become aware of their bond, which at first is limited in contact and lacking in conversational abilities. Through future visits, their love proves to be everlasting and such that they both risk great harm to themselves to reunite. Finally, they discover the reason for their meeting is for the good of all, and Ian's dream proves the means needed for their safety and continuous.

There exists more than "one truth." It can be defined differently by each perceiver. Truth is such until it is replaced by the next revelation. In our world, one cannot be so vain as to believe that there are only truths and non-truths.

Mr. Walters conveys the reality of mystical worlds and our interaction with them very eloquently. He states that there is "one true love in its infinite expression," meaning there is one connection, above all others that can make us feel whole, like our full selves. This book is highly recommended for the reader seeking a love story that knows no limits. As a metaphysical novel, one can expand their views of worlds and civilizations existing with us, and how we may affect those close to us with or without our knowledge.

"Sacred Vow" is highly recommended, and a sequel would be much welcomed.

When two parallel worlds break the barriers to co-exist as one, only true love can provide the solution to the rift between them. Having achieved this goal, it is with sadness that this union between soul mates cannot continue in the ways of our world. It is with gladness and thanks that a love so true can choose to sacrifice itself for the good of us all. "Sacred Vow" will bring a positive message to all to live each moment to its fullest potential.

The book is a lavish, beautifully put-together work, with plenty of big colorful reproductions of classic pulp and contemporary cover art. There are a few mistakes (no, Cronenberg didn't direct the original Vincent Price version of 'The Fly'), but there's really one simple reason why I couldn't bring myself to give this book a 5-star recommendation. After having read it from cover to cover, there was a slight bad taste left in my mouth. Why? Because the author/editor, James M. Robinson, seemed a bit too relentless in his attempts to establish his own reputation and history in the field. Now I've read a LOT of science fiction in my time, but before I picked up this book I'd never even heard of James Robinson. So I was surprised by how often I came across reproductions of his book covers and/or mentions of his work. And they weren't presented in any sort of a 'personal note' type of format, nor do the captions for the illustrations even identify that the person who wrote the book being shown is the same as the editor who chose to include the image in this history. Rather, in most cases, you'll see Robinson's work discussed from the same third-person perspective as the other important works that surround it. This even extends, in one case, to including the work of another minor author apparently because it affords the opportunity to mention the fact that they'd collaborated with Robinson on OTHER projects. A quick count reveals cover reproductions of three of Robinson's novels (i.e. ALL of his science-fiction novels - he wrote a couple of techno-thrillers as well), a reproduction of a movie poster for a film based on one of those novels, and about five other mentions of his work in the text. A few of these would be fine - and the reproduction of one of his self-produced fanzines from the 1940's is a nice piece of nostalgia that certainly establishes his love of the genre. But it really felt like Robinson is trying to present himself as one of the more significant contributors to the genre. Personally, I just don't feel that Frank M. Robinson's fiction should be discussed more often than the work of Poul Anderson, or Robert Bloch, or Hal Clement, or Lester Del Rey or (to move to the end of the alphabet) Jack Vance or Gene Wolfe or Roger Zelazny. (Strangely enough, if you look up Frank M. Robinson in the index at the back of the book, he's not even listed. (Perhaps to make comparisons like this one a bit harder to do? Or maybe it's just sloppy indexing - SPIDER Robinson isn't listed in the index either, yet he's mentioned at least three times in the body of the book). At any rate, it really IS a beautiful book, and if you love this stuff as much as I do then you won't be disappointed by the overall package. It's just too bad that an editor somewhere didn't make an attempt to curb the author's self-promotion a little bit.

I'll be honest; when I first saw this book in a local store I wasn't sure I wanted it. It's very heavy (about 10-15 pounds) and expensive (about $60), but I sprang for it because I love SF and I wanted to see what a writer who loves it too had to say.
Frank Robinson is a dedicated writer, fan and historian. Not as dry as John Clute, but not as irreverent as Harlan Ellison, Robinson shows his love by sharing some truly amazing and wide-ranging materials dating from as far back as the 1890s.
A good, friendly companion if you want to take a SF literature course, or if you just want to sit down for a few weeks and read. HIGHLY recommended.

Science Fiction of the 20th Century Author: FrankM. Robinson

This fascinating book is 100 percent sciencefiction/fantasy memories. I was especially intrigued because it was a birthday gift from my son, and I was one of the writers for Weird Tales magazine and a Brown University veteran-student during the late 1940's. Superb Magazine Cover Photos.

At first, I did a lot of skimming and admiring the book covers, but I recommend you read the book in chronological order, from beginning to end. Robinson's Science Fiction of the 20th Century is thoroughly researched and very well written. Delightfully, exciting and wonderfully informative, Robinson's book contains hundreds of superb, full-color photographs of science fiction and fantasy magazine covers, (wherever did they find them? and they are printed even sharper and more brilliant than when new!).

You will enjoy the beautiful, digitally-created science fictions pulp covers, many enlarged two times actual dimensions. (The average size of early pulp magazines was 6"x8", but they varied, depending on the availability of paper stock during four wars and the fluctuating prices of the pulp paper.)

Writers of Yesterday

Science Fiction of the 20th Century dates from the beginning of science fiction and fantasy genre, to the present revival in books, TV, Movies and Magazines!

The author, Frank M. Robinson gives fascinating and informative data on science fiction writers of past and present. He even reports that Hugh Heffner of Playboy fame, was a sci-fi addict. Playboy magazine has published outstanding science fiction stories and authors, such as Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury.

Final Notes

Robinson's book gave me an exhaustive, warm and nostalgic visit to fond friends, illustrations, covers, and writers of yesterday, and today.

Robinson's book even stimulated me to forage in my attic where I found a treasure chest of dozens of stories that I had written and published decades ago. I typed them into my computer, formatted them, edited, and now have a new book titled, Really Weird Weird Tales!, a compilation of science fiction and fantasy stories for a huge market, now reborn.

Although I'm not an expert on science fiction,I'm hoping to learn more about the genre so I can figure out what is best to invest time in reading, having already read Dune, Lord of the Rings, H.G.Wells, Jules Verne and some of the other basics. Buying this book was in part motivated by my desire to seek out some context and history of the vast sci-fi universe. The other motivation is that I collect particularly high-quality and esoteric art books and the other reviewers described the book as possibly meeting that criteria.

Having just received the book earlier today let me emphatically express that this is a fantastic work, beautifully illustrated, meticulously manufactured, and what I've read is very well written. This book emanates the kind of vital and exciting energy that I find to be most compelling in a "coffee table book." It really rouses interest in the subject matter it presents.

I've checked out other coffee table books on sci-fi, and some have looked good but none come close to this.

This book is a beautiful collection of some stunning science fiction art.

Two things should be mentioned right away: first, that this is a book of science fiction art, not fantasy (there are no dragons, no unicorns, no elves), and second, that with the exception of a few science fiction movie posters, the art featured within are book covers and magazine covers.

This book itself is a work of art. It's large, it's heavy (printed on thick glossy paper), it's very colorful and has very fancy graphic designs. The layout is easy to see, eye-catching, and well spaced. Some of the featured covers are full-page. Most pages have two or three covers, a few have four. In other words, the pictures are never crowded together, and remain large enough to show detail.

Many of the covers are astounding. There are assorted rockets, saucers, aeroplanes, even a few flying globes. There are furry aliens, tentacled aliens, winged aliens, reptilian aliens, aquatic aliens, some tiny humanoid aliens. Heroes in skintight clothing, heroes in coverall jumpsuits, heroes in metallic spacemechs, heroes in Roman Centurion gear (go figure), heroes in clanky armorlike spacesuits. The women, especially in the earlier pulps and books, tend to be either scantily clad or in skintight clothing, and most are in various states of distress (being carried off by aliens). There are vistas of deserts, oceans, mountain ranges, desolate moonscapes, fantastic alien forests, fabulous spaceports. Many moons hang in the sky, and fantastic ringed planets.

Among the magazines included are Analog, Asimov's, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Argosy, Astounding, Amazing Stories, Planet Stories, Science Wonder Stories, Locus. And more. Book covers range from forgotten novellas to bestselling classics. Movie posters from B-movie creature features to contemporary blockbusters. There really is a lot of art in this book.

The narrative, which is actually extensive, mostly follows the history of the sci-fi magazines and their circulation. The data is informative, but when the art is this beautiful, you won't be reading the small print except to see who did the drawing anyway. You'll lose yourself in this book!

There is only one reason I took one star from the review: some of the art is not identified. The publishers really ought to be ashamed of themselves for overlooking this, in an art book of all things. The entries are identified (although some of the artists' names have been lost, the publisher or sources are named), but the graphics of the cover (of this book) and the chapter introductions are not identified. Shame, shame! The chapter introduction plates are breathtaking, as are the inside-cover and dustjacket art.

This is a book of dreams and imagination. Normally I'd call this a "coffee table book" but not this time. HIDE this book and hoard it for yourself. It's a treasure.