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Astounding
- John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlen, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins
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Publisher's summary
Astounding is the landmark account of the extraordinary partnership between four controversial writers - John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, and L. Ron Hubbard - who set off a revolution in science fiction and forever changed our world.
This remarkable cultural narrative centers on the figure of John W. Campbell, Jr., whom Asimov called “[T]he most powerful force in science fiction ever.” Campbell, who has never been the subject of a biography until now, was both a visionary author - he wrote the story that was later filmed as The Thing - and the editor of the groundbreaking magazine best known as Astounding Science Fiction, in which he discovered countless legendary writers and published classic works ranging from the I, Robot series to Dune. Over a period of more than 30 years, from the rise of the pulps to the debut of Star Trek, he dominated the genre, and his three closest collaborators reached unimaginable heights. Asimov became the most prolific author in American history; Heinlein emerged as the leading science-fiction writer of his generation with the novels Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land; and Hubbard achieved lasting fame - and infamy - as the founder of the Church of Scientology.
Drawing on unexplored archives, thousands of unpublished letters, and dozens of interviews, Alec Nevala-Lee offers a riveting portrait of this circle of authors, their work, and their tumultuous private lives. With unprecedented scope, drama, and detail, Astounding describes how fan culture was born in the depths of the Great Depression; follows these four friends and rivals through World War II and the dawn of the atomic era; and honors such exceptional women as Doña Campbell and Leslyn Heinlein, whose pivotal roles in the history of the genre have gone largely unacknowledged. For the first time, it reveals the startling extent of Campbell’s influence on the ideas that evolved into Scientology, which prompted Asimov to observe: “I knew Campbell and I knew Hubbard, and no movement can have two Messiahs.” It looks unsparingly at the tragic final act that estranged the others from Campbell, bringing the golden age of science fiction to a close, and it illuminates how their complicated legacy continues to shape the imaginations of millions and our vision of the future itself.
Critic reviews
“A big biography of John Campbell, the genius magazine editor who created a mass market for science fiction, couldn’t be timelier. Alec Nevala-Lee’s granular portrait of Campbell and the quirky superstars whose careers he launched in the 1940s and 1950s is a gift to science fiction fans everywhere.” (Sylvia Nasar, New York Times best-selling author of A Beautiful Mind)
“[Astounding] is a major work of popular culture scholarship that science fiction fans will devour.” (Publishers Weekly)
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First prize in the Skyway Soap slogan contest was an all-expenses-paid trip to the moon. The consolation prize was an authenticspace suit, and when scientifically minded high school senior Kip Russell wonit, he knew for certain he would use it one day to make a sojourn of his own tothe stars. But "one day" comes sooner than he thinks when he tries the suit on in his backyard - and finds himself worlds away, a prisoner aboard a space pirate's ship.
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Wry humor obliterated by inept reading
- By Scott on 07-10-14
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The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol. 1, 1929-1964
- The Greatest Science Fiction Stories of All Time Chosen by the Members of the Science Fiction Writers of America
- By: Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and others
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman, L. J. Ganser, Richard Ferrone
- Length: 28 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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This book contains 26 of the greatest science fiction stories ever written. They represent the considered verdict of the Science Fiction Writers of America, those who have shaped the genre and who know, more intimately than anyone else, what the criteria for excellence in the field should be. The authors chosen for the Science Fiction Hall Fame are the men and women who have shaped the body and heart of modern science fiction; their brilliantly imaginative creations continue to inspire and astound new generations of writers and fans.
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CHAPTER LIST to Help Find Stories
- By Lance on 06-07-18
By: Robert A. Heinlein, and others
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The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol. 2-A
- The Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time Chosen by the Members of The Science Fiction Writers of America
- By: Theodore Sturgeon, Ben Bova - editor, Lester del Rey, and others
- Narrated by: Chris Andrew Ciulla, Kevin T. Collins, Mark Boyett, and others
- Length: 24 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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This volume is the definitive collection of the best science fiction novellas published between 1929 and 1964, containing 11 great classics. No anthology better captures the birth of science fiction as a literary field. Published in 1973 to honor stories that had appeared before the institution of the Nebula Awards, The Science Fiction Hall of Fame introduced tens of thousands to the wonders of science fiction and was a favorite of libraries across the country.
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'Greatest' is the word...
- By dutch wolff on 06-21-18
By: Theodore Sturgeon, and others
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Inventor of the Future
- The Visionary Life of Buckminster Fuller
- By: Alec Nevala-Lee
- Narrated by: Rob Shapiro
- Length: 18 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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During his lifetime, Buckminster Fuller was hailed as one of the greatest geniuses of the twentieth century. As the architectural designer and futurist best known for the geodesic dome, he enthralled a vast popular audience, inspired devotion from both the counterculture and the establishment, and was praised as a modern Leonardo da Vinci. To his admirers, he exemplified what one man could accomplish by approaching urgent design problems using a radically unconventional set of strategies, which he based on a mystical conception of the universe’s geometry.
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I learned much about Buckminster Fuller!
- By Richard J. Chandler on 09-12-22
By: Alec Nevala-Lee
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The Very Best of the Best
- 35 Years of The Year's Best Science Fiction
- By: Gardner Dozois - editor
- Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny, Will Damron
- Length: 39 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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For decades, The Year's Best Science Fiction has been the most widely read short science fiction anthology of its kind. Now, after 35 annual collections comes the ultimate in science fiction anthologies. In The Very Best of the Best, legendary editor Gardner Dozois selects the finest short stories for this landmark collection, including short fiction from authors such as Charles Stross, Michael Swanwick, Nancy Kress, Greg Egan, Stephen Baxter, Pat Cadigan, and any many more.
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Would be amazing if not for spoiler prefaces
- By Amazon Customer on 08-28-19
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Space Odyssey
- Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece
- By: Michael Benson
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Regarded as a masterpiece today, 2001: A Space Odyssey received mixed reviews. Despite the success of Dr. Strangelove, director Stanley Kubrick wasn't yet recognized as a great filmmaker, and 2001 was radically innovative, with little dialogue and no strong central character. Author Michael Benson explains how 2001 was made, telling the story primarily through the two people most responsible for the film, Kubrick and science fiction legend Arthur C. Clarke. Benson interviewed Clarke many times, and has also spoken at length with Kubrick's widow, Christiane.
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A Book Wholly Equal to its Subject
- By Reggie on 04-17-19
By: Michael Benson
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Have Space Suit - Will Travel
- By: Robert A. Heinlein
- Narrated by: Mark Turetsky
- Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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First prize in the Skyway Soap slogan contest was an all-expenses-paid trip to the moon. The consolation prize was an authenticspace suit, and when scientifically minded high school senior Kip Russell wonit, he knew for certain he would use it one day to make a sojourn of his own tothe stars. But "one day" comes sooner than he thinks when he tries the suit on in his backyard - and finds himself worlds away, a prisoner aboard a space pirate's ship.
-
-
Wry humor obliterated by inept reading
- By Scott on 07-10-14
-
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol. 1, 1929-1964
- The Greatest Science Fiction Stories of All Time Chosen by the Members of the Science Fiction Writers of America
- By: Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and others
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman, L. J. Ganser, Richard Ferrone
- Length: 28 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
This book contains 26 of the greatest science fiction stories ever written. They represent the considered verdict of the Science Fiction Writers of America, those who have shaped the genre and who know, more intimately than anyone else, what the criteria for excellence in the field should be. The authors chosen for the Science Fiction Hall Fame are the men and women who have shaped the body and heart of modern science fiction; their brilliantly imaginative creations continue to inspire and astound new generations of writers and fans.
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CHAPTER LIST to Help Find Stories
- By Lance on 06-07-18
By: Robert A. Heinlein, and others
What listeners say about Astounding
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- M. B. Weinger
- 05-12-23
Interesting but not always engaging
As a teenager in the late 60s and early 70s who avidly read science fiction I was looking forward to learning more about the early history of these authors and the editor who strongly influenced the field. Much of the book’s most interesting content occurs much earlier, in the 30s to 50s. I found that the most engaging part. I also appreciated learning more about the founding and Dorris history of Scientology. After that, the story is more dry and less engaging until the excellent concluding remarks in the epilogue of which I would have like more.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-18-19
The greatest Authors in sci-fi
I loved learning more about The greatest Authors in sci-fi, though the writing was rushed at times.
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- Blake
- 01-30-19
Fantastic history of an interesting time.
An in depth look at the very direct effect Campbell had on the greats of the Golden age of science fiction.
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- Will
- 10-31-18
Well researched and engaging bio of Campbell
Anyone with a passing knowledge of the Golden Age of science fiction knows of the four men named on the cover, but the amount of details available about each of them varies. Little has been published about John W. Campbell, but this book remedies that, using Campbell as a central figure and telling his story, both alone and through his interactions with the other three. The product is a great biography that is both readily readable and wonderfully satisfying.
In the case of the Asimov, Heinlein, and Hubbard, all of whom have the subject of previous biographies, Nevala-Lee expands their stories by showing their faults along with their virtues. One of my favorite aspects of Astounding is the amount of attention paid to the women. Many of these women wielded vast influence on the four men and on science fiction itself. With the exception of Virginia Heinlein, previous works have, at best, relegated these women to the sidelines, or worse, cast them into the role of villain and hung all of the man’s faults and missteps on them.
Astounding tells the story of these figures instead of just chronologically listing facts about them, resulting in a book that even a casual fan will appreciate.
Rennette previously narrated Heinlein's The Number of the Beast, which is an homage to the Golden Age, making him an excellent match for this book. His reading added an extra element to the story.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Mr. CT
- 11-18-20
Great book
Big science fiction fan and watcher of religions. Nice to know more about where it all started and with who. Very easy to listen to narrator.
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-11-20
a perfect read of a remarkable book
A fair and compassionate portrait of the editor and his stable of writers... men with their heads in the stars and feet of clay.
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1 person found this helpful
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- JCL
- 08-22-20
Great history of the birth of Sci-Fi
I greatly enjoyed hearing the way science-fiction was birthed by John W. Campbell and his writers, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein and others. Recommended if you enjoy sci-fi.
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- Scott C
- 07-17-19
A Great Read
I really had no idea that the lives of so many classic sci-fi authors intertwined the way that they did. There's so much great background and history here. The other thing that was eye opening to me was how genuinely unhappy several of these men seemed to be. Between the multiple marriages and affairs, or in Azimov's case hiding in his office to escape his family life, I found it eye opening how these men seemed to be always searching for something better and not really finding it. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
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1 person found this helpful
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- monkeyboy
- 12-15-18
amazingly well researched and interesting stories
I particularly enjoyed hearing about the contributions of the women in these influential authors lives.
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- Alexis Gervais
- 05-22-24
Not what you think
The initial, somewhat upbeat, story of Astounding Magazine's rise through Campbell's leadership and his close friendship with Asimov, Heinlein, and Hubbard turns in the last third of the book into what their collective lives reveal themselves to be: smart people who take bad decisions; people who think they're doing science but are biased like you would not believe is possible; people obsessed with leaving a world-changing mark, going down multiple rabbit holes in the process, arguably into some form of insanity. These greats of the Golden Era lived in the crux of massive societal changes and leaps of science, but they missed most of it, instead becoming stuck in pseudoscience, some for the rest of their lives.
These people are revealed as profoundly, if not beautifully, human in the process of this vivid retelling of their lives, with their constructed and embellished legend stripped away. Nevala-Lee does a superb job to keep the sleaze to a minimum, and as for the narrator he's the guy you'd want narrating your flawed life at your funeral.
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