Cosmic Engineers

The first comprehensive critical study of hard science fiction, this book reveals how the term hard science fiction originated, and how arguments about its range and nature have unfolded. Westfahl shows that hard science fiction is generally characterized by the author's extreme concern for scientific accuracy and logic. Identifying two characteristic forms of hard science fiction, Westfahl closely examines several representative works: Arthur C. Clarke's A Fall of Moondust, Hal Clement's Mission of Gravity, and Charles Sheffield's Between the Strokes of Midnight. This book offers new insights into hard science fiction and provides a wealth of information about what members of the science fiction community have said about this relatively recent genre.

The first comprehensive critical study of hard science fiction, this book reveals how the term "hard science fiction" originated, and closely examines three representative works.

Booknews

Looks at key authors and texts of hard science fiction, a subgenre of science fiction, discussing comments on the nature of hard science fiction by its authors, the history of the subgenre, and its possible future. Examines three representative works by Arthur C. Clarke, Hal Clement, and Charles Sheffield. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

GARY WESTFAHL teaches at the Learning Center of the University of California, Riverside.