Frontiers Past and Future: Science Fiction and the American West.FRONTIERS PAST AND FUTURE: Science FiCtion and the American West CARL ABBOTT Other scholars have pointed out connections between the literature of the Wild West and science fiction, but Abbott takes that idea to new depths. In this book, he considers the genesis of fictional accounts of future homesteading, mining, lawlessness, and other Western-based themes. The author, a professor of urban planning urban planning: see city planning. urban planning Programs pursued as a means of improving the urban environment and achieving certain social and economic objectives. and a science fiction consumer, discusses how science fiction from such notable authors as Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury Noun 1. Ray Bradbury - United States writer of science fiction (born 1920) Bradbury, Ray Douglas Bradbury , William Gibson (person) William Gibson - Author of cyberpunk novels such as Neuromancer (1984), Count Zero (1986), Mona Lisa Overdrive, and Virtual Light (1993). Neuromancer, a novel about a computer hacker/criminal "cowboy" of the future helping to free an artificial intelligence from its , and Ursula LeGuin are informed by their knowledge of modern frontierism. The author draws comparisons between historical events and the plots of novels and short stories. Invaders arriving by flying saucers mirror marauders of western lore. Planets altered to be hospitable to people reflect the change brought to the Western deserts by irrigation irrigation, in agriculture, artificial watering of the land. Although used chiefly in regions with annual rainfall of less than 20 in. (51 cm), it is also used in wetter areas to grow certain crops, e.g., rice. . Abbott's premise is that the way writers remember the past shapes how they envision the future. University Press of Kansas The University Press of Kansas is a publisher that represents the state universities in Kansas (Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas, and Wichita State University.). , 2006, 230 p., hardcover, $29.95. |
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