In The Mechanics Of Wonder: The Creation Of The Idea Of Science Fiction, Gary Westfahl presents a sustained and documented argument for the importance of magazine editor Hugo Gernsback as being the true creator of what has become known as the science fiction genre. After initial chapters on Gernsback, Westfahl goes on to examine the way in which the Gernsback tradition was adopted and modified by later magazine editors and early critics., including a re-evaluation of the importance of John W. Campbell to the history of science fiction. The Mechanics Of Wonder will prove of immense interest to scholars of science fiction literary history and scifi enthusiasts with an appreciation of how a literary subgenre came to be a commonly accepted category of American literature and popular culture.

But inside is a wealth of information. This is the 9 th edition of Radio-Craft magazine Jubilee Souvenir it is a collection of the best stories and articles for the 50th year of radio.. chocked full of old radio advertisments. really a fun book

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).

I recently bought this book at a science fiction convention in Tornonto, Canada. Because it was a sequel to Hugo Gernsback's Ralph 124 C41+, I almost didn't read it (since I did not like the original). Boy am I glad I changed my mind! This book was really great. It was full of surprises. It's a book that I'm sure I'll read again and again!

I've always loved to read science fiction, but have often been frustrated by the lack of female protagonists. Most of the time, it is our male counterparts who are responsible for saving the world. Not only is Celeste likeable and believable, she's very definitely a new millenium kind of super hero! Hooray to the writer for letting this gal show her stuff!

When I first started to really get into this book, I was blown away! The story was, as they so deftly described it--riveting. The characters were so true-to-life, I felt like I actually knew them. And the insight was otherworldy. When I finished the book I wished that it would just keep going. So do yourself a favor.....BUY A COPY AND READ IT!!! (You'll love it.) P.S. If you're on the lookout for a great Christmas gift for the avid reader, the search ends here.

This is the seminal work in sci-fi by the man who's editing direction shaped the modern genre, Hugo Gernsback, the guy they named the Hugo Awards after.

A future where everyone wears electric roller skates, has a number instead of a last name and cities have moving side walks... One of theose travelogues of the future extrapolated by a writer from the very beginings of the pulp era. The gadgetry seems almost Victorian, the philosophy seems dated, yet somehow you'll never forget this book.

I read this book in the early 60's and it was already very quaint and dated even back then. But somehow I've never forgotten it and parts of this book come to mind even now almost 40 years later. If you've ever seen the 1930 film "Just Imagine," then this is the literary equivalant.