- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press; New edition edition (Jan 1969)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0195007646
- ISBN-13: 978-0195007640
Future Perfect
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Product Description
Product Description
Critics, science fiction writers, scientists, and scholars throughout the world hailed the original publication of Future Perfect in 1966 as a book that would transform our evaluation of science fiction and our understanding of American culture. The praise has proved well founded, for Future Perfect has been more responsible than any other single work for the recognition of the value and significance of science fiction.
In this first new edition since 1978, H. Bruce Franklin has made major revisions and additions, including a new section displaying remarkable contributions to science fiction by nineteenth-century American women. Future Perfect now offers a stunning perspective on the relevance of nineteenth-century science fiction in the dawn of the twenty-first century, illustrated by wonderfully enjoyable stories by obscure figures and by well-known authors, including:
-- Nathaniel Hawthorne
-- Washington Irving
-- Jack London
-- Herman Melville
-- Edgar Allan Poe
-- Mark Twain
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
From the Author
This is a revised and expanded edition.
This is a revised and expanded edition of the original book, which was recommended for both "Summer Reading" and "The Christmas Guide for Readers" by The New York Times Book Review. Isaac Asimov wrote, "This book comes as a revelation," and the Los Angeles Times said, "The essays are brilliant and challenging; the fiction, delightful and entertaining. A reader could not ask for much more." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
This is a revised and expanded edition of the original book, which was recommended for both "Summer Reading" and "The Christmas Guide for Readers" by The New York Times Book Review. Isaac Asimov wrote, "This book comes as a revelation," and the Los Angeles Times said, "The essays are brilliant and challenging; the fiction, delightful and entertaining. A reader could not ask for much more." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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2 reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Excellent Selection, wish there was more!
15 April 2000
Format:Paperback
This book brings together short stories by largely canonical American authors--people we all read in school such as Hawthorne, Poe, and Melville. What Franklin has done brilliantly is shown, by the way he has collected the stories, how much they share a developing science fiction sensibility. Franklin also offers introductions to the stories and authors that are well written and intelligent, but here is also the source of my only complaint: I wish the introductions were slightly shorter, leaving room to include a few more stories. Still, this is an excellent anthology, one that will interest both converted science fiction fans and those who restrict themselves to reading that counts as "virtuous."
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Fantastic as a textbook or casual read
11 July 2007
Format:Paperback
I found this at a used-book store, and was excited at the notion of reading short-story 19th century visions-- of the fantastic and of the future. The author gives a very interesting commentary/criticism which I feel adds much value to this book, not only as an anthology, but as a critical study (given this book was published so long ago, the criticism itself is an interesting look back. However, I do feel it was odd that attention was given either to a specific author (there was a very long Hawthorne section, for example) or to a sub-genre (e.g., automata)--making the topic of commentary seem at times a bit arbitrary.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely--it was extremely engaging and entertaining (and the format made it a perfect read on my commute). I thank the author for introducing me to science-fiction by authors I wasn't aware of (or by those who I had not previously considered sci-fi authors--e.g., Melville). The sophistication and logic (and surprisingly accurate projections in many cases) have made for some interesting dinner-table discussion with my husband (who is now reading it). I'm giving this book 5 stars, as I believe it to be a must-read for those interested in the history of the future.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely--it was extremely engaging and entertaining (and the format made it a perfect read on my commute). I thank the author for introducing me to science-fiction by authors I wasn't aware of (or by those who I had not previously considered sci-fi authors--e.g., Melville). The sophistication and logic (and surprisingly accurate projections in many cases) have made for some interesting dinner-table discussion with my husband (who is now reading it). I'm giving this book 5 stars, as I believe it to be a must-read for those interested in the history of the future.
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