Publisher's Synopsis
Science fiction is one of the 20th century's most characteristic - and dominant - literary forms. Despite critical disparagement and misunderstanding, it has millions of readers worldwide and has established itself at the heart of popular literary culture.;This selection starts with H.G. Wells' "The Land Ironclads", and charts the development of science fiction this century through a wide range of practitioners - Rudyard Kipling, Arthur C. Clarke, Frederik Pohl, Brian Aldiss, Ursula Le Guin, J.G. Ballard, Paul McAuley, David Brin and many others. The 30 stories offer a potent blend of favourites and surprises, tracing the thematic and technical development of SF over the last 90 years.