Wonder's Child: My Life in Science Fiction

Telling much more than the story of a single man's life and work, this autobiography is an amazing look at the entire 20th century from the eyes of one of the greatest voices in science fiction. This story of a man plagued with a perpetual sense of wonder at the world around him begins with Williamson's youth and his family's struggle to survive on farms in the arid southwestern United States. Early attempts at education, the publication of his first story, his service in the Pacific during World War II, and his eventual success in the genre of science fiction are all detailed to tell the life of this Hugo Award–winning author.

School Library Journal

YA Williamson traces the development of science fiction in America through his experiences as a sci-fi author. He first began writing stories for the pulp magazines in the 1920s and today is the award-winning author of over 40 books. Each chapter of his autobiography begins with historical highlights emphasizing scientific developments. Williamson describes the general attitude in America of wonder and expectation towards technology and how it changed to cynicism and fear with the invention of the atomic bomb. Even so, his sense of wonder and love of learning have never left him, and they brighten this straightforward, highly informative chronicle. The author supplies copious historical detail, advice for would-be science fiction writers, generous yet unfawning descriptions of other writers and editors and numerous black-and-white photos of his friends and family. Monica Forbes, PGCMLS, Md.

Jack Williamson has been at the forefront of science fiction since his first short story appeared in 1928. He is the author of the Humanoids series, the Legion of Space series, and the Seetee series, and the novels Darker Than You Think and The Legion of Time. He lives in Portales, New Mexico.