The author’s groundbreaking thesis that science fiction is born out of the 17th-century Reformation is here bolstered with a wide range of new supporting material and many hundreds of 17th- and 18th-century science fiction texts, some of which have never been discussed before.

Preface to Second Edition.- Preface to First Edition (2006).- 1. Definitions.- 2. SF and the Ancient Novel.- 3. From Medieval Romance to Sixteenth-Century Utopia.- 4. 17th-Century SF.- 5. 18th-Century SF. Big, Little.- 6. Early 19th Century SF.- 7. SF 1850-1900: Mobility and Mobilisation.- 8. Verne and Wells.- 9. The Early Twentieth Century, 1: High Modernist SF.- 10. The Early Twentieth Century, 2: The Pulps.- 11. Golden Age SF: 1940-1960.- 12. The Impact of the New Wave: SF of the 1960s and  1970s.- 13. SF Screen Media, 1960-2000: Hollywood Cinema and TV.- 14. Prose SF of the 1980s and 1990s.- 15. Late 20th Century SF: Multimedia, Visual SF and Others.- 16. 21st Century Science Fiction.- Notes.- Bibliography.- Index.-

This book is the definitive critical history of science fiction. The 2006 first edition of this work traced the development of the genre from Ancient Greece and the European Reformation through to the end of the 20th century. This new 2nd edition has been revised thoroughly and very significantly expanded. An all-new final chapter discusses 21st-century science fiction, and there is new material in every chapter: a wealth of new readings and original research. The author’s groundbreaking thesis that science fiction is born out of the 17th-century Reformation is here bolstered with a wide range of new supporting material and many hundreds of 17th- and 18th-century science fiction texts, some of which have never been discussed before. The account of 19th-century science fiction has been expanded, and the various chapters tracing the twentieth-century bring in more writing by women, and science fiction in other media including cinema, TV, comics, fan-culture and other modes.

“This immensely readable critical survey combines a strong thesis with engaged, provocative and often highly original accounts of an astonishing range and variety of texts. Now thoroughly revised and updated, it makes an indispensable contribution to literary history.” (Patrick Parrinder, Emeritus Professor, University of Reading, UK)

“The revised edition of Professor Roberts's History of Science Fiction is a truly comprehensive history of European and American SF.  The second edition preserves most of the major arguments and interpretations from the first, and adds a wealth of new material. This is likely to become the standard work in the field.” (Lewis W. Call, author of “BDSM in American Science Fiction and Fantasy”)

“Roberts’s deft anatomisation of the evolution of science fiction, from deep roots in Ancient Greek literature to its present preeminence in popular culture, is remarkably wide-ranging and marvellously detailed. A meticulous, entertaining, essential critical resource.” (Paul McAuley, author of “Fairyland, The Quiet War, and Into Everywhere”)

"This immensely readable critical survey combines a strong thesis with engaged, provocative and often highly original accounts of an astonishing range and variety of texts. Now thoroughly revised and updated, it makes an indispensable contribution to literary history." (Patrick Parrinder, Emeritus Professor, University of Reading, UK) "The revised edition of Professor Roberts's History of Science Fiction is a truly comprehensive history of European and American SF. The second edition preserves most of the major arguments and interpretations from the first, and adds a wealth of new material. This is likely to become the standard work in the field." (Lewis W. Call, author of "BDSM in American Science Fiction and Fantasy") "Roberts's deft anatomisation of the evolution of science fiction, from deep roots in Ancient Greek literature to its present preeminence in popular culture, is remarkably wide-ranging and marvellously detailed. A meticulous, entertaining, essential critical resource." (Paul McAuley, author of "Fairyland, The Quiet War, and Into Everywhere")

Written by a very well-known SF author, Guardian writer and recent winner of the BSF award Provides a much-needed update to one of the touchstone texts in the field, including a new chapter on 21st century science fiction Encompasses film and media studies as well as literary studies

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