The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

The hardback second edition dates from 1993; the third edition is only available online, (http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/). The second edition had over 6,500 entries and 1.3 million words; the third edition has just passed 18,000 entries and 5.9 million words. So you will understand which is the more comprehensive version.

Yet if I want to quickly look up some writer, or obscure old film, and I've shut my devices down for the night, I'll still reach for the second edition. The extent to which the gilt printing on the dust jacket of my copy has worn shows how often it has been on and off the shelf! And for idle browsing, it's still invaluable. If you see one second-hand and the asking price is within your pocket, go for it.

Despite now being a bit "dated", The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction by Clute and Nicholls, published in hardback in 1993 (which the library has) and reprinted with updates and an addendum in paperback in 1995 (which the library does NOT have), is an absolutely essential part of any science fiction fan's reference collection. This exhaustively researched volume contains biographies and bibliographies for every known author of science fiction literature through the early 1990s. Each author's entry features a biographical blurb, followed by a critical look at that author's most important or noteworthy stories or novels. If the author wrote books set in a series, there is a specific examination of that series. If the author's work are show more prominent within a SF subgenre, there are suggestions for additional topics to look under in the encyclopedia. But wait, there's more! You will also find detailed examinations of SF categories (cyberpunk, robots, artificial intelligence, big dumb objects), looks at famed science fiction artists, and entries on hundreds of classic and contemporary science fiction movies and television series. The 1993/95 edition is the 2nd Edition (the first was in 1979), and the editors have stated that all future editions of this Encyclopedia are intended to be on the Internet, once they are finalized. This volume is in the Reference Collection on the second floor at the Bennett Martin Public library downtown. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the companion volume from the same editors, The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. Clute has also edited Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia, a handsomely-illustrated but noticeably less-exhaustive book, available in our circulating collection.]

Originally reviewed for my local libraries' website: http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/srec/staffrec11-02.htm show less

Essential if SF interests you. The less subtle critical judgements in the first edition were more fun, but this is a major update.

Indispensable, a great source book and entertaining. The information on early science fiction is not found anywhere else in one volume.

A great resource, of course it must be interesting having to write an entry about yourself. Orbit, in theory will be publishing an updated online version, which should have 50% more material at launch. Clute is still working on this according to his website.

There is a difference between the hardback and paperback editions. The paperbacks have the update with new data, typographical errors, factual corrections, and miscellanea. That update actually makes the paperback the better and more useful reference.

There is a difference between the hardback and paperback editions. The paperbacks have the update with new data, typographical errors, factual corrections, and miscellanea. That update actually makes the paperback the better and more useful reference.