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PODCAST

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction

A biweekly podcast exploring the history of science fiction from the Renaissance to the present day. Astrophysicist and sci-fi enthusiast Alex Howe explores how the classic books, movies, and TV shows influenced the development of the genre and continue to do so today, with book recommendations for each episode.

arts books

All Episodes

19:48

#41 - Blockbuster Films Part I: The Rise of CGI

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2022/01/17

In the 1980s and '90s, blockbuster films became a staple of Hollywood and of science fiction, and their rise went hand in hand with the development of CGI technology. In this episode, we explore the ways CGI has contributed to sci-fi over the years. Movie recommendation: Jurassic Park Sheldon Hall on the origin of the term "blockbuster." Documentary on the making of Independence Day. Other movies discussed: Terminator 2: Judgment DayIndependence Day Avatar

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19:46

#40 - Michael Crichton

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2022/01/03

Michael Crichton was a huge influence on science fiction in the 1990s and 2000s, particularly through the many movie adaptations of his work. In this episode, I given an overview of his writings and his work in Hollywood. Book recommendation: Sphere Luke McKinney on "The Malcolm Fallacy" Other works discussed: The Andromeda StrainWestworld Jurassic Park Timeline

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51:41

Writer's History #6 - David Brin

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/12/20

In this episode, I interview David Brin, author of the Uplift Series, The Postman, Existence, and many more. David Brin's website. Advice for new writers. Sample chapters of many of Brin's books. Brin's recommended reading list. Brin on Robert Heinlein. Recommended essay: "The World, the Flesh, and the Devil" by J. D. Bernal.

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33:14

#39 - Postcyberpunk and Transhumanism

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/12/06

After cyberpunk had its day, a more mature, less countercultural successor to it emerged, known as postcyberpunk. In this episode, we explore what makes it distinctive and how it ties in with the ideas of transhumanism. Book recommendation: Existence by David Brin. Other books discussed: Permutation City by Greg Egan The Imperial Radch/Ancillary trilogy by Ann Leckie Accelerando by Charles Stross (free download) Blindsight by Peter Watts Charles Stross's "crib sheet" on Accelerando.

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24:07

#38 - Cyberpunk Derivatives

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/11/22

Cyberpunk has produced many offshoots over the years as new authors have applied the style to other historical eras and new technologies. In this episode, we tour the wide spread of these diverse subgenres. Book recommendations: The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson Other works mentioned: too many to name. Full list here.

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22:18

#37 - Cyberpunk

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/11/08

Cyberpunk was the big new subgenre of sci-fi in the 80s--the combination of "lowlife and high-tech." In this episode, we explore the highlights of this subgenre. Book recommendation: Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson Other works discussed: Akira Neuromancer by William Gibson The Matrix Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan Ready Player One by Ernest Cline My review of Ready Player Two.

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24:36

#36 - Alternate History

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/10/25

Alternate histories, where events in the past unfolded differently, are a fairly new genre, but it's made large strides since it first became popular in the 80s. In this episode, we look at an overview of these works. Book recommendation: The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. My companion blog post on The Calculating Stars. Other books discussed: The Domination by S. M. Stirling "The Road Not Taken", The Guns of the South and Harry Turtledove in general. The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim

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59:31

Writer's History #5 - Annie Geever Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/10/11

In this episode, I interview Annie Geever, the author of the Undead Age trilogy of zombie novels. Annie's website. Annie's book recommendations: Thirteen or Black Man by Richard K. Morgan Fallen Dragon by Peter F. Hamilton Sun of Suns by Karl Schroeder

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31:26

#35 - Time Travel Part II: Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/09/27

Time travel has used in many different ways by many different writers across history. In this episode, we take a whirlwind tour of ten common time travel tropes to see how they have contributed to the genre. Book recommendation: The Time Ships by Stephen Baxter. TV recommendation: "Blink" from Doctor Who. Other works mentioned: too many to name. Full list here. PBS Space Time on the many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.

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23:01

#34 - Time Travel Part I: The Classics

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/09/13

Time travel had a long history in science fiction, but it noticeably ramped up beginning in the 80s. In this episode, we explore some of the classic and iconic time travel stories of recent decades. Book recommendation: To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis. Other works discussed: Timescape by Gregory Benford Eon by Greg Bear Back to the FutureThe TerminatorBill and Ted's Excellent AdventureDoomsday Book by Connie Willis Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey

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20:51

#33 - Military Science Fiction

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/08/30

Sci-fi stories about wars and military service in the future are widespread throughout the genre. In this episode, we explore a few of the highlights from this wide field. Book recommendation: Old Man's War by John Scalzi. Honorable mention: Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein. Other books discussed: The Forever War by Joe Haldeman Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

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23:53

#32 - Galactic Civilizations

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/08/16

With the release of Star Wars, sci-fi became more mainstream than ever, and in its wake came many stories about a galaxy filled with many kinds of alien life. In this episode, we explore a few of these stories of galactic civilizations. Book recommendation: A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge James W. Harris on 80s sci-fi. Charlie Jane Anders on 80s sci-fi. David Brin's website. Other works discussed: OG Star Wars Uplift Universe by David Brin Culture series by Iain M. Banks Zones of Thought

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19:05

#31 - Alien Artifacts and Alien Contact

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/08/02

Stories about the discovery of mysterious alien artifacts, and the similar challenges of first contact, became prominent in the 70s and 80s. Some of them we have discussed before, but many are new. In this episode, we see an overview of these stories. Book recommendation: Contact by Carl Sagan Other works discussed: Gateway by Frederick Pohl Hyperion by Dan Simmons Stargate Close Encounters of the Third Kind E.T. the Extra-terrestrial The Sparrow and Children of God by Mary Doria Russell

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54:54

Writer's History #4 - Daniel Bensen Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/07/19

Daniel Bensen is an author of science fiction, alternate history, and stories of speculative evolution. In this interview, we discuss his new book, Interchange, sequel to his debut novel, Junction, and other writings. Dan's website. Dan's book recommendations: The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold Greg Egan The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker

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18:46

#30 - Arthur Clarke's Comeback

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/07/05

After the New Wave era drew to a close, the older authors of the Golden Age continued to produce new works, but Arthur C. Clarke made the strongest comeback, with some of his most famous books coming from his later years. In this episode, we look at an overview of these works. Book recommendation: Rendezvous with Rama Other books discussed: The Fountains of Paradise 2010: Odyssey Two 2061: Odyssey Three 3001: The Final Odyssey The Songs of Distant Earth

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27:51

#29 - Larry Niven and the Return of Hard Sci-Fi

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/06/21

By 1970, the New Wave in science fiction had made peace with a surge of new hard sci-fi works and writers. At the forefront of this trend was Larry Niven, who took a unique path in hard sci-fi by proposing new physics, but still applying it rigorously. In this episode, we explore his work. Book recommendation: Ringworld by Larry Niven. My blog post about Ringworld. Other works discussed: The Magic Goes Away With Jerry Pournelle: The Mote in God's Eye The Gripping Hand Lucifer's Hammer Footfall

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01:08:34

Writer's History #3 - Dr. Benjamin Stevens Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/06/07

Dr. Benjamin Stevens is a professor of classical studies who researches the relationship between the ancient/classical tradition and science fiction and fantasy. In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss what makes sci-fi distinctive, classicism and modernity, ancient aliens, and more. Dr. Steven's profile. Classical Traditions in Science Fiction, ed. by Brett Rogers and Benjamin Stevens. Dr. Steven's book recommendations: The Just City/Thessaly Trilogy by Jo Walton Radiance by Catherynne M

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23:21

#28 - Children's Sci-Fi in the New Wave

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/05/24

Children's science fiction was still an unusual and peripheral category during the New Wave, but it did produce some important new classics. In this episode, we explore the highlights of what kids were reading during this time. Book recommendations: For upper elementary and middle school: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. For lower elementary: The Iron Giant/The Iron Man by Ted Hughes Farah Mendelsohn on children's sci-fi. My post about A Wrinkle in Time and The Chronicles of Narnia. Other

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28:50

#27 - Feminist Science Fiction

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/05/10

Among the various social changes that accompanied the New Wave, this time period saw the rise of second-wave feminism. In this episode, we explore how that movement influenced the genre of science fiction. Book recommendation: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin. Tor Books poll on women in speculative fiction. Eric Leif Davin's Partners in Wonder. Sable Aradia's review of "Houston, Houston, Do You Read?" My blog posts on The Handmaid's Tale: Part 1, Part 2 Jan Misali/Conlang Critic on Láadan.

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28:27

Writer's History #2 - Kira Leigh Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2021/04/26

In this episode, I interview Kira Leigh, author of the new, anime-inspired space epic, Constelis Voss, Volume 1. Kira's website. Kira's TV recommendations: Farscape Earth 2

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