Time Machines : The Story of the Science-Fiction Pulp Magazines from the Beginning to 1950 (Liverpool University Press - Liverpool Science Fiction Texts & Studies)

Rating:
Summary: Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear
Review: While this book had its rough spots, it was very interesting and fair.

Ashley looks at the history of science fiction magazines from the origin of magazines themselves to 1950. There is an awful lot of interesting information here on how magazines developed differently in Britain and the US.

When Ashley gets to the 1926-50 era, he is marvellous when covering the major magazines. He avoids overt deification or demonization and seems quite even-handed when dealing with the "Shaver hoax." Also, he does not take the route that when John W. Campbell became editor of Astounding all the other magazines ceased to be of interest.

This is essential reading for those interested in the early development of science fiction.