John Scalzi is the author of a great book called Old Man’s War, as well as The Rough Guide to the Universe.
He also writes an absolutely fantastic blog, called Whatever, which I highly recommend to everyone who reads and enjoys any of the crap I write. I read it daily, and John has inspired me to make some major changes when I return to blogging at WWdN (more on that in a future post.)
Today, John announced the release of his latest book, The Rough Guide To Sci-Fi Movies.
As you might expect from the title, the book is a guide to science
fiction film, from the very first SF film in 1902, to this summer’s
biggest science fiction extravaganzas. That’s 103 years of science
fiction film in 325 pages, including the index (lovingly indexed, I’ll
note, by the super-competent and generally awesome Susan Marie Groppi).
But — of course — it does some scene setting as well, putting SF
films into context. The book is arranged in the following chapters:
The Origins:
The history of science fiction and other speculative fiction, reaching
back to ancient Greece and then following through with written science
fiction through the 21st Century.The History: A quick jaunt through the eras of science fiction film from 1902 to 2005, not only in the US but worldwide.
The Canon: Reviews and commentary on the 50 science fiction films you have to see before you die (more on this in a minute)
The Icons: The people and characters of enduring significance in science fiction film.
Crossovers: Film genres that mix and match with science fiction, including fantasy, thrillers, horror and animation.
The Science: A look at the science (or lack thereof) in science fiction films.
The Locations:
Significant studios and locations where science fiction is filmed, and
places (real and otherwise) made famous by science fiction.Global: Snapshots of science fiction films from all over the world, from Canada to South Korea.
Information: Past and present science fiction in other media.
There’s much more information about the book in John’s blog, so if you’re interested at all, you should head over there and check it out right now, then you should buy it today. Then you should buy a copy for a friend, and while you’re at the store, ask them why they don’t carry Just A Geek. Be sure to mention that it’s a Star Trek book that’s all about Star Trek, and you have to love Star Trek to enjoy reading it. That’s always good for a laugh.
Congratulations, John!
Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
“while you’re at the store, ask them why they don’t carry Just A Geek. Be sure to mention that it’s a Star Trek book that’s all about Star Trek, and you have to love Star Trek to enjoy reading it.”
LOL! I think I’m going to have to start doing this!
LOL! I think I’m going to have to start doing this!
Uhh . . . don’t. I was being sarcastic.
A key reason Just A Geek was such an incredibly frustrating disappointment for me was O’Reilly’s idiotic insistance on promoting JAG as a Star Trek book, even when I *begged* them not to do that, because it would drive away a huge potential audience. Oh, and the silly little fact that it’s NOT a fucking Star Trek book.
But what did I know? All I did was write the book.
Well, that’s not surprising because uh, O’Reilly *is* an idiot and well, hey, let’s throw in “asshat” while we’re at it. (BTW dammit… I would die to be a Fark cliche)
Thanks, I’m bookmarking John’s blog… the picture on the main page of his daughter with the stuffed diseases… uh.. microbes (to be PC)is more than enough for me to know that it’s my kind of blog. I love picking other people’s brains or at least being allowed to be inside them for a little while. ESPECIALLY JOSS WHEDON fans!!! I do have to agree with John… Alien Resurrection was horrendous. I hated to admit it but it was just an unfortunate movie. No biggie, every filmmaker has their Ishtar.
Wow the book sounds pretty interesting. The history of Sci Fi alone would be a good read. I spent most of my early years enjoy horror and comedy films. It wasn’t till the later years of Star Trek TNG that I got into Sci Fi movies. I love them now! Hmmm maybe while I’m at the book store I’ll pick up Just a Geek. 😉
First Wil said: “while you’re at the store, ask them why they don’t carry Just A Geek. Be sure to mention that it’s a Star Trek book that’s all about Star Trek, and you have to love Star Trek to enjoy reading it.”
Then I said: “LOL! I think I’m going to have to start doing this!”
Then Wil panicked and said: “Uhh . . . don’t. I was being sarcastic.”
LOL! I know that Wil! I read your blog 🙂 -I take it that your long standing request, though, that we take all of your books out of the “Technical Manual” section and move them to the “Autobiography” or even the “Bestseller” section, is still good right? 😉 (See? Long time reader! 🙂 )
I just typed up this big response to your post, but am saving it because maybe I don’t have all the facts. So I’ll ask. How exactly did O’Reilly promote JAG as a Star Trek book? (I will assume the definition of a “Star Trek book” is one that it is solely about the show.) Thanks.
I tried asking for JAG that way at the local bookstore. Several angry monkeys suddenly appeared out of nowhere and tried to grab me. One of them had a rubber band and a stop watch. I got free and headed for the door post haste. I haven’t been back since. Thanks a lot for the suggestion, Wil.
I will have to look for your book Wil 🙂
Sounds like a good read 🙂
And you were always more than that um star trek character to me.
You are by far one of my favorite actors. I do miss seeing you in any work, tv, movies, and such.