Review by Choice Review
Collections come in many varieties, from the extremely focused to the wildly disparate; this one manages to straddle the fence, and not to its benefit. Even the title may befuddle the reader. Is this a political science volume or something else? As a matter of fact, it is very much something else. It is a compendium of essays about science fiction writing regarding future wars, with an occasional linkage to actual political theory and fact. The confusion begins with the volume's weak introduction, which explains neither the book's function nor the reason for the inclusion of specific works. Although the organization seems to be historical, Seed (American literature, Univ. of Liverpool, UK) never describes any pattern. There is no concluding essay to sum up. The essays themselves are of interest, but the editor provides no information about whether they have been previously published and, if so, where and when. Since this is an expensive book, libraries will find it valuable only if they have a specific need of literature on this subject. Summing Up: Optional. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and practitioners. S. Raeschild Northern New Mexico College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
