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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

Hiatus: Episode 6 Delayed

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2024/08/26

I'm taking a short break before producing the next episode. I'm not sure how long it will be, but probably about a month to give myself time to get on top of my writing again, finish my next YouTube video and hopefully line up some more interviews, too. There are still at least a few more episodes coming, so keep an eye out.

en

27:11

S3E5: Modern Sci-Fi Television

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2024/08/12

In this episode, I review the recent history and current status of science fiction on television during the streaming era. TV recommendation: The Orville

en

32:39

S3E4: Larry Niven Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2024/07/29

In this episode, I interview the legendary Larry Niven, author of Ringworld, The Mote in God's Eye, Lucifer's Hammer, Footfall, and many more. Niven's book recommendations from his catalog: The Seascape Tattoo (fantasy, with Steven Barnes) Fleet of Worlds Series (with Edward Lerner) The Goliath Stone (with Matthew Harrington) Rainbow Mars (fantasy anthology)

en

01:04:50

S3E3: Cameron Kunzelman Discusses Sci-Fi Video Games

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2024/07/15

I interview Dr. Cameron Kunzelman of Georgia State University about science fiction in video games. Dr. Kunzelman's game recommendations: Bioshock Halo Mass Effect Recommended reference book: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Video-Games-Tringham/dp/148220388X Link to the Jacob Geller video in which Dr. Kunzelman appears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPiL3-CYzWk

en

42:21

S3E2: Robert Silverberg Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2024/07/01

Robert Silverberg is the last major author whose career stretches all the way back to the Golden Age of Science Fiction. He is an extremely prolific writer and a long-time friend of Isaac Asimov. Hear his story in this interview. Silverberg’s top picks from his catalog: Dying Inside Downward to the Earth The Man in the Maze First-Person Singularities (anthology) Lord of Darkness (historical) The Majipoor series (fantasy)

en

01:03:58

S3E1: Jim Harris Discusses the Classics of Sci-Fi

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2024/06/17

In the first episode of Season 3, I interview Jim Harris, the creator of the Classics of Science Fiction book recommendation aggregator, which I have referenced several times in the past. The database and list-builder Jim's website Scan of the original list from 1989 (page 46) Jim's book recommendations not from the list: Empire Star by Samuel R. Delany The Sea and Summer by George Turner The Hopkins Manuscript by R. C. Sherriff

en

01:10:22

S2E25: Lisa Yaszek Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/05/15

In the series finale, I interview Dr. Lisa Yaszek, a sci-fi historian from Georgia Tech, about where we can expect science fiction to go in the future. Dr. Yaszek's recommendations: Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson The Matrix Sunspot Jungle, ed. Bill Campbell Other works discussed: Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor "The Sixth World" by Nanobah Becker The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley The Universe of Xuya series by Aliette de Bodard Unstoppable series by Charlie Jane Anders

en

20:15

S2E24: Catch-Up Episode #9: Classics Lightning Round

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/05/08

Okay, not exactly all classics and not exactly lightning either, but in this episode, I discuss four books that I wanted to talk about in Season 1, but never got around to. Book recommendation: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes Other books discussed: Helliconia Trilogy by Brian Aldiss The Road by Cormac McCarthy Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard

en

26:48

S2E23: Space Opera

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/04/24

In this episode, I discuss the precise nature of space opera, its origins, and its path through the history of sci-fi up to the current resurgence it's had in recent years. Book recommendation: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

en

Episode 23 Delayed

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/04/17

I'm having computer problems which resulted in me not being able to record today, so I'm postponing Season 2, Episode 23 by one week to April 24. Episode 24 will probably go up on May 1 as scheduled, but that is not certain yet. Subscribe to the feed if you haven't already to get automatic updates.

en

20:32

S2E22: Catch-Up Episode #8: Space Sci-Fi

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/04/03

Not quite as space-themed as I intended, but these are the latest stories about aliens and comets and such. Movie recommendation: Dune (2021) Other works discussed: Greenland Don't Look Up Moonfall (anti-recommended) The Tomorrow War The Firefly tie-in novels

en

42:42

S2E21: Donna Barba Higuera Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/03/20

In this episode, I interview Donna Barba Higuera, author of the Newbery winning sci-fi novel, The Last Cuentista (which I've previously recommended). Donna's book recommendation: Reclaim the Stars, edited by Zoraida Córdova Donna's website

en

19:44

S2E20: Newbery Medal Winners

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/03/06

In this episode, I take one more look at children's science fiction by surveying the winners of the prestigious Newbery Medal. Book recommendation: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera Other books discussed: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien The Giver by Lois Lowry When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

en

26:18

S2E19: Multiverse Fiction

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/02/20

In this episode, I explore sci-fi works that focus on the idea of the multiverse. Prospective book recommendation (I'm putting it on my own list): The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter PBS Space Time on the many worlds interpretation Other works discussed: The Number of the Beast by Robert Heinlein Sliders Rick and Morty DC Comics Marvel Comics

en

18:23

S2E18: Catch-Up Episode #7: Sci-Fi Action Movies

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/02/06

In this episode, I give an overview of recent action movies in the sci-fi genre. Movie recommendation: Everything Everywhere All at Once Other movies discussed: Tenet Free Guy The Matrix: Resurrections

en

36:50

S2E17: Science Fiction in Video Games

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/01/23

In this episode, I bring back my cohost Greg for a conversion about how science fiction has shaped video games, and vice versa. Classic game recommendation: Chrono Trigger Ahoy finds the "first" video game.

en

21:21

S2E16: Catch-Up Episode #6: Children's Sci-Fi Movies

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2023/01/09

I catch up on the sci-fi movies for kids that have come out in the pandemic era. Movie recommendation: The Mitchells vs. the Machines Background on Lightyear here and here. Other films discussed: Sonic the Hedgehog Over the Moon Flora and Ulysses Space Jam: A New Legacy Strange World Lightyear

en

26:17

S2E15: Religion in Sci-Fi

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2022/12/26

In this episode, I give an overview of the different ways that religion and religious themes are used in science fiction. Book recommendation: Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny My review of A Case of Conscience. Other works discussed: Riverworld series by Philip Jose Farmer A Case of Conscience by James Blish Terra Ignota series by Ada Palmer

en

55:29

S2E14: Margaret Weitekamp Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2022/12/12

I interview Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, Curator and Chair of Space History at the National Air and Space Museum about her new book, Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight. Media recommendation: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

en

54:02

S2E13: Gary Bengier Interview

A Reader"s History of Science Fiction ·

2022/11/28

In this episode, I interview Gary Bengier, former CFO of eBay and author of Unfettered Journey, a novel about philosophy and artificial intelligence. Gary's book recommendation: Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky

en

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