The Universe Makers. Science Fiction Today

As writer, editor, publisher and fan, Donald Wollheim has been deeply immersed in the SF world for nearly 40 years. In THE UNIVERSE MAKERS he has written a most engaging personal statement of the whole field, its history, its writers and its place in literature. Wells and Verne have given science fiction two distinct traditions. The stories of both are filled with gadgets and technological fantasies, but Wells added something that Verne did not have: a strong social conscience. The many writers discussed in THE UNWERSE MAKERS have built on these approaches and have cumulatively created possible futures that are influencing a significant number of today's scientists. Some of Wollheim’s more controversial ideas concern the political views of such writers as Heinlein and Poul Anderson, the belonging or non-belonging of various writers to the field (here are some surprises),and the foolishness of trying to cram science fiction into the 'main stream' of literature. He is most provocative when dealing with science fiction's general optimism, its bona fide forecasting of both the near and the distant future, and the near unanimous confidence of SF writers in humanity. THE UNWERSE MAKERS is a splendid book both for the aficionado—it's as good as a three-day convention—and for the generał reader who is puzzled and confused to find himself living in what seems to be a science fiction world. * First published in 1971 by Harper & Row Jacket by John Douet