Science Fiction and Futurism

"Pilkington's book shines both by being readable and being comprehensive. It is a must-have for all scholars and students of the field.”—Matthew Wilhelm Kapell, author of Star Trek as Myth: Essays on Symbol and Archetype at the Final Frontier

 "Not simply an encyclopedia of terminology, but a primer for all degrees of specialty in science fiction, brimming with references that bring together two centuries of classic and popular literature, plus movies and television.”—Brian Taves, author of Hollywood Presents Jules Verne: The Father of Science Fiction on Screen

   Science and science fiction have become inseparable--with common stories, interconnected thought experiments, and shared language. This reference book lays out that relationship and its all-but-magical terms and ideas. Those who think seriously about the future are changing the world, reshaping how we speak and how we think.

   This book fully covers the terms that collected, clarified and crystallized the futurists' ideas, sometimes showing them off, sometimes slowing them down, and sometimes propelling them to fame and making them the common currency of our culture.

   The many entries in this encyclopedic work offer a guided tour of the vast territories occupied by science fiction and futurism. In his Foreword, David Brin says, "Provocative and enticing? Filled with 'huh!' moments and leads to great stories? That describes this volume."