The Dreams Our Stuff is Made Of Ho Science Fiction Conquered the World [Paperback]

From one of science fiction's most acclaimed novelists comes this engrossing journey through the books, movies, and television programs that have shaped our perspective of both the present and the future. In an uncompromising, often irreverent survey of the genre from Edgar Allan Poe to Philip K. Dick toStar Trek,Thomas M. Disch analyzes science fiction's impact on technological innovation, fashion, lifestyle, military strategy, the media, and much more.
An illuminating look at the art of science fiction (with a practitioner's insight into craft), as well as a work of pointed literary and cultural criticism,The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Ofreveals how this pulp genre has captured the popular imagination while transforming the physical and social world in which we live.Thomas M. Dischis the author of such classic works of science fiction asCamp Concentration, 334, The Brave Little Toaster,andOn Wings of Song,all of which are cited in David Pringle'sScience Fiction: 100 Best Novels.His criticism has appeared in the country's leading magazines and newspapers. His bookThe Castle of Indolencewas a nominee for the National Book Critic Circle's Award in Criticism.
Contents

Introduction

1 The Right to Lie

2 Poe, Our Embarrassing Ancestor

3 From the Earth to the Moon -- In 101 Years

4 How Science Fiction Defused the Bomb

5 Star Trek, or the Future as a Lifestyle

6 Can Girls Play Too? Feminizing Science Fiction

7 When You Wish Upon a Star -- Science Fiction as a Religion

8 Republicans on Mars -- Science Fiction as Military Strategy

9 The Third World and Other Alien Nations

10 The Future of an Illusion -- Science Fiction Beyond the Year 2000

Notes And References

Acknowledgments

IndexAlexander StarThe New York TimesDisch is an eloquent storyteller and polemicist....[His] book is consistently rewarding.Frank McConnlCÔ