Brian Ash (1) (1936–2010)

In its day, one of the best works to appear on the subject (given that critical works on sf are very short-lived and rarely get carried forward from generation to generation in new editions). It is more of a collection of essays rather than a reference work, and so within a very short time was eclipsed by the far more detailed Peter Nicholls encyclopaedia.

This is a fantastic book and a much loved one in my collection. It is really comprehensive and informative with lots of pictures and reference material. The only issue with it that I have is that I haven't been able find a later edition. This does have its benefits though as the whole book is dedicated to the classic authors of science fiction and focuses on the golden age authors.

Classic compendium of chronology, genres, themes and authors, this encyclopedia will not leave you indifferent to the variety in all the subject has to offer. Bear in mind that the chronology stops at 1976, date of print. I do not know if there is a newer version, but if so, I'll get it straight away. On the same sort of book, I would also recommend Jacques Sadoul's 5-book series on the history of science-fiction, more recent and highly instructive too, despite a lesser Anglo-Saxon show more perspective (compared to this one). show less

007 • CHECKLIST

009 • PROGRAM

067 • THEMATICS (with introductions by)
068 • Spacecraft and Star Drives • essay by Poul Anderson
078 • Exploration and Colonies • essay by Jack Williamson
090 • Biologies and Environments • essay by James White
100 • Warfare and Weaponry • essay by Harry Harrison
110 • Galactic Empires • essay by Lester del Rey
116 • Future and Alternative Histories • essay by Brian Aldiss
124 • Utopias and Nightmares • essay by John Brunner
130 • show more Cataclysms and Dooms • essay by J. G. Ballard
137 • Lost and Parallel Worlds • essay by Robert Sheckley
144 • Time and Nth Dimension • essay by Fritz Leiber
154 • Technologies and Artefacts • essay by by Ken Bulmer
164 • Cities and Cultures • essay by Frederik Pohl
172 • Robots and Androids • essay by Isaac Asimov
181 • Computers and Cybernetics • essay by Arthur C. Clarke
190 • Mutants and Symbiotes • essay by Josephine Saxton
204 • Telepathy, Psionics and ESP • essay by Larry Niven
212 • Sex and Taboos • essay by Keith Roberts
222 • Religion and Myths • essay by Philip José Farmer
237 • Inner Space • essay by A. E. van Vogt

247 • DEEP PROBES
248 • Interface • essay by Edmund Cooper
257 • Science Fiction as Literature • essay by George Turner
263 • Recurrent Concepts • essay by L. Sprague de Camp

271 • FANDOM AND MEDIA
272 • Fandom
286 • Science Fiction Art
292 • Science Fiction in the Cinima
300 • Science Fiction on Television
304 • Science Fiction Margazines
312 • books and Anthologies
322 • Juveniles, Comics, and Strips
328 • Commentators and Courses
333 • Fringe Cults
343 • Index
352 • Acknowledgements show less