In science fiction, jet packs let people zoom through the air at high speeds. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life jet pack!

The history of the world through 1,001 inventions—from prehistoric times to the present day. 1001 Inventions That Changed the World is an enthralling guide to the world’s most important scientific and technological advances. Authoritatively written by a team of historians, scientists, and anthropologists, this book tells the stories behind these innovations, presenting a comprehensive history of the world through invention and discovery. From stone tools and fire at the dawn of humankind to today’s self-driving cars, inventions have moved society forward at a remarkable pace. This informative volume shows just how much some of the inventions that we take for granted have transformed the world.

James Bond would have died a thousand deaths if not for Q, the genius behind the pen grenades and weaponized sports cars. The author demonstrates how science and technology have been as important to 007 as good looks, shaken martinis, and beautiful women.

Wondrous worlds abound in the stories within. Heroes go on great adventures through magical realms, encounter alien races, and use their ingenuity to overcome impossible difficulties. From Robert E. Howard's thrilling stories of Conan the Barbarian to Nathaniel Hawthorne's subtle tale "The Artist of the Beautiful," the power of the imagination is breathtaking. The settings range from the frozen wastes of Antarctica to the red plains of Mars. Themes of space travel, apocalypse, magic, and power permeate these stories, but at their heart, as with all good fiction, are the characters - who remain as human as you or I. During the 19th century many writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ambrose Bierce, tried their hand at fantasy and science fiction, but few fully devoted themselves to the genre. It took two men to change this: H. G. Wells and Robert E. Howard. Wells was a founder of the science fiction genre whose novels The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds established him as one of the greatest writers of the time. Howard was nearly as influential on the fantasy genre, as his character Conan the Barbarian has remained immensely popular for generations. In the early 20th century, fantasy and science fiction truly established themselves in the pulp magazines. Writers like Charles B. Stilson, John York Cabot, and Harry Gore Bishop struggled to make a living even though they wrote prolifically for these magazines. The literary landscape as we know it today was established through the writing of these devoted individuals. This collection features several of the premier writers of speculative fiction. Authors include: W. L. Alden Robert Barr Ambrose Bierce Harry Gore Bishop John York Cabot Nictzin Dyalhis Francis Flagg George Griffith Nathaniel Hawthorne Robert E. Howard Kenneth Morris William Morris Charles B. Stilson H. G. Wells

This edition brings to you 45 tales exciting by Murray Leinster, including some of his most famous and admired Sci-Fi & Fantasy works in one volume: Novels & Novellas: Murder Madness The Wailing Asteroid The Forgotten Planet Creatures of the Abyss Operation Terror The Pirates of Ersatz The Fifth-Dimension Catapult The Fifth-Dimension Tube (Sequel) A Thousand Degrees Below Zero Talents, Incorporated Space Tug Med Ship Man Pariah Planet (aka This World Is Taboo) The Hate Disease Long Ago, Far Away Operation: Outer Space Space Platform The Runaway Skyscraper The Silver Menace Planet of Dread Juju Short Stories: Evidence The Aliens Third Planet Invasion The Fourth-Dimensional Demonstrator The Other Now A Logic Named Joe Tanks Doctor The Ambulance Made Two Trips If You Was a Moklin A Matter of Importance The Machine That Saved The World The Mad Planet The Red Dust Nightmare Planet Sand Doom Morale: A Story of the War of 1941-43 The Leader Attention Saint Patrick The Sentimentalists Scrimshaw Sam, This is You The Invaders

The science fiction and fantasy fields continue to evolve, setting new marks with each passing year. For the sixth year in a row, master anthologist Jonathan Strahan has collected stories to captivate, entertain, and showcase the very best the genre has to offer. Critically acclaimed, and with a reputation for including award-winning speculative fiction, The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year is the only major “best of” anthology to collect both fantasy and science fiction under one cover. Jonathan Strahan has edited more than thirty anthologies and collections, including The Locus Awards (with Charles N. Brown), The New Space Opera (with Gardner Dozois), and Swords and Dark Magic: The New Sword and Sorcery.