A detailed look at the British world of science fiction in the 1950s. John Wade grew up in the 1950s, a decade that has since been dubbed the “golden age of science fiction.” It was a wonderful decade for the genre, but not so great for young fans. With early television broadcasts being advertised for the first time as “unsuitable for children” and the inescapable barrier of the “X” certificate in the cinema barring anyone under the age of sixteen, the author had only the radio to fall back on—and that turned out to be more fertile for the budding SF fan than might otherwise have been thought. Which is probably why, as he grew older, rediscovering those old TV broadcasts and films that had been out of bounds when he was a kid took on a lure that soon became an obsession. For him, the super-accuracy and amazing technical quality of today’s science fiction films pale into insignificance beside the radio, early TV and B-picture films about people who built rockets in their back gardens and flew them to lost planets, or tales of aliens who wanted to take over, if not our entire world, then at least our bodies. This book is a personal account of John Wade’s fascination with the genre across all the entertainment media in which it appeared—the sort of stuff he reveled in as a young boy—and still enjoys today. “Not only a well–researched book grounded in hundreds of sources, but also an unmistakable labor of love.” —New York Journal of Books

Malcolm Jameson's 'Golden Age Sci-Fi Series' is a seminal collection of 17 books that epitomize the golden age of science fiction literature. Known for his vivid storytelling and imaginative world-building, Jameson's works take readers on thrilling journeys through space, exploring themes of technology, humanity, and the unknown. His prose is engaging and filled with a sense of wonder, making it a must-read for fans of classic science fiction. Each book in the collection showcases Jameson's mastery of the genre and his ability to transport readers to new and exciting worlds. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for creating compelling characters, Jameson's writing is both thought-provoking and entertaining. It is evident that Jameson's passion for science fiction shines through in every page, making this collection a standout in the genre. Fans of classic science fiction will appreciate the depth and breadth of Malcolm Jameson's 'Golden Age Sci-Fi Series,' as it offers a compelling glimpse into the imagination of one of the genre's most influential authors.

To anyone interested in the roots of modern science fiction, the name of Ray Cummings should be well known. He wrote science fiction and fantasy before the name "science fiction" had been coined, publishing fantastic yarns in Argosy, Munsey's Magazine, and other mainstream pulp magazines. Of course, as soon as the science fiction pulps debuted, he moved to them, where his work received a hearty welcome from fans. Cummings publishing more than 750 novels and short stories over his long career, producing work in many genres, including the mystery field (see "Atom Boy" in this Megapack for one prime example). We are pleased to showcase 25 of his tales, ranging from science fiction to fantasy to mystery...more than 1,500 pages of great reading! Included are: THE GIRL IN THE GOLDEN ATOM (1919-1920) THE GIRL IN THE GOLDEN ATOM, PART 2 THE SILVER VEIL (1921) THE FIRE PEOPLE (1922) TWO PROPOSALS (1923) JETTA OF THE LOWLANDS (1930) THE WHITE INVADERS (1931) REQUIEM FOR A SMALL PLANET (1958) BRIGANDS OF THE MOON (1931) WANDL THE INVADER (1932) TARRANO THE CONQUEROR (1930) PHANTOMS OF REALITY (1930) DR. FEATHER IN "A SHOT IN THE DARK" (1936) DR. FEATHER IN "MURDER IN THE FOG" (1937) DR. FEATHER IN "THE DEAD MAN LAUGHS" (1938) DR. FEATHER IN "CLUE IN CRIMSON" (1943) THE WORLD BEYOND (1938) GADGET GIRL (1944) PRECIPICE (1945) PHOTOGRAPH OF DEATH (1945) STAMP OF DOOM (1946) THE SCALPEL OF DOOM (1947) ATOM BOY (1947) THE LIFTED VEIL (1947) BEYOND THE VANISHING POINT (1958) THE GIRL FROM INFINITE SMALLNESS (1940) PLANET STORIES' FEATURE FLASH: MEET RAY CUMMINGS And don't forget to search this ebook store for "Wildside Megapack" to see more entries in the series, covering science fiction, fantasy, horror, mysteries, westerns -- and much, much more!

This volume provides biographical, critical, and bibliographical information on the thirteen most significant science fiction writers of the Golden Age. Each chapter consists of three parts: a bibliography of the author; a selection of brief critical extracts about the author; and a bibliography of the author's published books.