Robert Heinlein wrote short stories that presented a plausible and credible account of everyday life in the future, on Earth, in space and on the Moon. Later in his Future History, major historical events occurred, starting with the Second American Revolution.
Poul Anderson's Psychotechnic History begins by recounting the recovery from World War III and shows us life on the rebuilt Earth. In Anderson's Technic History, The Earthbook Of Stormgate not only collects works set before, during and after the Polesotechnic League period but also binds them together with commentaries by the Ythrian editor, Hloch.
The Prologues to Volumes II and IV of James Blish's Cities In Flight create a future historical perspective that goes beyond what is to be found in the texts of the novels. I have been re-appreciating Blish's future history while comparing it with Anderson's Technic History.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I don't know if I would find fictional historical textbooks interesting to read. At least not the way I would, say, JB Bury's HISTORY OF THE LATER ROMAN EMPIRE FROM THE DEATH OF THEODOSIUS I TO THE DEATH OF JUSTINIAN I. Because Wells and Stapledon's efforts might not feel CONVINCING to me. But I would have to read one or the other of them to find out.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
Check out LAST AND FIRST MEN.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I will if I ever come across that now seemingly obscure book by Stapledon.
Ad astra! Sean
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