Science Fiction of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History

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 is really a fun book to go through. Science-fiction illustration has gone through many changes in the 20th century, all of them interesting in their own ways. I particularly love the old pulp magazine covers and they are reproduced here in all their vivid glory. The many, many examples in this book look like they just came fresh off the presses. There's none of the dinginess or reflectivity you usually get from reproductions of older material. These illos look like the art as it was meant to be seen.The design of this book also deserves a lot of praise. Every page was laid out with great taste and creativity. I've been through the book several times already and I keep discovering new things.Bottom line: this is one great looking, entertaining book.

This is a captivating book. It's got hundreds and hundreds of high-quality reproductions of science fiction magazine covers, book covers and movie posters. Over and over again, particular artwork will remind you of the pleasure of reading that book, or the delight of seeing an imaginative magazine cover.You'll probably "read" this one at least three times. First, you look at all the covers. Next, you go back and look at them more closely, this time reading the enligtening, well-written captions. Finally, you'll actually read the book.Sure, if you know nothing about science fiction, you could probably use this book as a reference to clue you into more than a century of the history of the genre. But, I think it's really for readers who are already fans. For anyone who loves science fiction (or fantasy), this book will fill many evenings with joy, and inspire you to go back to your bookshelf and reread some of your favorites.

All color. All under one set of covers. Extremely well done. Not indepth, but written from the insiders viewpoint. Hard to be indepth without removing too many illustrations, as this is an art book first and foremost. I am prejudiced since I helped in it's production, but I can tell you, you won't be dissapointed.

In all my years as a bookseller I have never come across a book like this one. The images fly off the pages at you. The text, although lacking "story telling" which I love, is a condensed history with fact after fact after fact. A super library book. I also got the limited editon which came in a cool box with warning yellow and black stripes. It's cloth covered with an inset print--an old-world style seen little today probably due to expense. For the money I highly recommend it. Both editions are incredible! Don't pass up this book.