Heinlein
Asimov
Blish
Anderson
Heinlein's future history, which is "the Future History," includes longevity and a generation ship ( a slower than light multi-generation interstellar spaceship).
Asimov's future history comprises robots and a predictive science of society.
Anderson uniquely wrote eight future histories. His first, the Psychotechnic History, has one story each on:
longevity
a generation ship
a robot
- and is based, especially in its earliest instalments, around attempts to apply a predictive science of society.
Heinlein perfected the circular causality paradox whereas Anderson fully developed both time travel paradoxes: circular causality and causality violation.
Heinlein also wrote about magic used as a technology. Anderson expanded this theme and wrote other fantasies.
Anderson and Blish both wrote sf, fantasy and historical fiction, the main difference being Anderson's much larger output. Despite this difference, I think of Anderson and Blish in parallel and this blog reflects that.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
SF completists should also read Cordwainer Smith's Instrumentality of Mankind stories, Jerry Pournelle's Co-Dominium series (including contributions from other writers, and Larry Niven's Known Space stories (also with contributions by other authors).
Ad astra! Sean
Of course. But I was only talking about the Campbell future historians.
Kaor, Paul!
I agree, but there were other editors and magazines Anderson wrote for, such as PLANET STORIES, THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, GALAXY, etc. Besides Campbell Anderson also had a special affection for Tony Boucher, who edited the MAG. OF F & SF. "Kyrie" was partly a homage to Boucher by Anderson.
Ad astra! Sean
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