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Philip K. Dick has established himself as a major figure in American literature. The landscape of his imagination features a wealth of concepts and fictional worlds: Nazi-rule in a postwar nightmare; androids and the unification of man and machine; and an existence that no longer follows the logic of reality. His vision has shaped the way we perceive the past and present and how we look to the future. This first-time collection assembles his nonfiction writings (the bulk of which either have never before been published or have appeared only in obscure and out-of-print publications) - essays, journals, speeches, and interviews. In these writings he explores issues ranging from the merging of physics and metaphysics to the potential influences of "virtual" reality and its consequences to a plot-scenario for a potential episode of "Mission: Impossible, " to the challenge that fundamental "human" values face in the age of technology and spiritual decline. This collection is at once penetrating and entertaining. It is sure to reconfirm Philip K. Dick not only as an important science-fiction writer but also as an explorative thinker.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The real genius of this book is in the organisation of the material. Starting in an almost light- hearted vein (if it's possible to use that term in conjunction with anything written by or about PKD, although one of the revelations in this tome is just how aware Dick was of his reputation and how humourosly he responded to it), the material progresses from shortish, interesting scraps of bio and autobiographical material, to technical pieces on SF and Dick's relationship with it. Heavy philosophical thought- food follows, at which point you start to see the PKD stereotype emerge, finally blossoming into full- blown ramblings of a deeply personal nature which illustrate the complex effect of his breakdown/revelation of 1974.
Much insight into this enormously intelligent man can be gained from this book- compare his comments about Stanislaw Lem here to the established knowledge of his attitude to the Polish master- great revelations spring from almost insignificant remarks. Short of laboriously collecting together all of his published material, a copy of this book will go a long way to de- mystifying the enigmatic Mr. Dick.
The structure of the book perfectly compliments the material within, providing the reader with either an extremely involving point- to- point journey, or a grab- bag of stimulating essays, anecdotes and texts, your call. Illuminating.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By E. Jones
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a fascinating partial insight into what went on in Dicks mind, I say partial because I don't think we will ever learn truly what drove him, but this book gives an invaluable glimpse into what made Dick tick. The contents surprise, disturb and intrigue in turn and Sutin does a marvellous job of bringing together material from Dicks prolific writing career, much of which has not appeared before (at least all in the same book).
A worthy addition to any PKD fans and non-fan collection.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A necessary edition to the library of any self-respecting PKD fan, this fascinating collection includes a number of pieces long deserving of publication, including the 2 completed chapters of the proposed sequel to the Man in the High Castle and the '72 essay 'The Android and the Human' which is actually startlingly prescient about the coming 'hacker culture'. Loopy, inconsistent, scatter gun in places, there's nevertheless so much fascinating stuff here that you'll find yourself coming back to dip into it time after time.
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