S3E5: Modern Sci-Fi Television
In this episode, I review the recent history and current status of science fiction on television during the streaming era. TV recommendation: The Orville
Aug 12, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 5
A Reader's History of Science Fiction
A biweekly podcast exploring the history of science fiction from the Renaissance to the present day. Astrophysicist and sci-fi enthusiast Alex Howe explores how the classic books, movies, and TV shows influenced the development of the genre and continue to do so today, with book recommendations for each episode.
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Episodes
S3E4: Larry Niven Interview
In this episode, I interview the legendary Larry Niven, author of Ringworld, The Mote in God's Eye, Lucifer's Hammer, Footfall, and many more. Niven's book recommendations from his catalog: The Seascape Tattoo (fantasy, with Steven Barnes) Fleet of Worlds Series (with Edward Lerner) The Goliath Stone (with Matthew Harrington) Rainbow Mars (fantasy anthology)...
Jul 29, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 4
S3E3: Cameron Kunzelman Discusses Sci-Fi Video Games
I interview Dr. Cameron Kunzelman of Georgia State University about science fiction in video games. Dr. Kunzelman's game recommendations: Bioshock Halo Mass Effect Recommended reference book: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Video-Games-Tringham/dp/148220388X Link to the Jacob Geller video in which Dr. Kunzelman appears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPiL3-CYzWk...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 3
S3E2: Robert Silverberg Interview
Robert Silverberg is the last major author whose career stretches all the way back to the Golden Age of Science Fiction. He is an extremely prolific writer and a long-time friend of Isaac Asimov. Hear his story in this interview. Silverberg’s top picks from his catalog: Dying Inside Downward to the Earth The Man in the Maze First-Person Singularities (anthology) Lord of Darkness (historical) The Majipoor series (fantasy)...
Jul 01, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 2
S3E1: Jim Harris Discusses the Classics of Sci-Fi
In the first episode of Season 3, I interview Jim Harris, the creator of the Classics of Science Fiction book recommendation aggregator, which I have referenced several times in the past. The database and list-builder Jim's website Scan of the original list from 1989 (page 46) Jim's book recommendations not from the list: Empire Star by Samuel R. Delany The Sea and Summer by George Turner The Hopkins Manuscript by R. C. Sherriff...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 1
S2E25: Lisa Yaszek Interview
In the series finale, I interview Dr. Lisa Yaszek, a sci-fi historian from Georgia Tech, about where we can expect science fiction to go in the future. Dr. Yaszek's recommendations: Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson The Matrix Sunspot Jungle , ed. Bill Campbell Other works discussed: Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor " The Sixth World " by Nanobah Becker The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley The Universe of Xuya series by Aliette de Bodard Unstoppable series by Charlie Jane Anders...
May 15, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 25
S2E24: Catch-Up Episode #9: Classics Lightning Round
Okay, not exactly all classics and not exactly lightning either, but in this episode, I discuss four books that I wanted to talk about in Season 1, but never got around to. Book recommendation: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes Other books discussed: Helliconia Trilogy by Brian Aldiss The Road by Cormac McCarthy Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard...
May 08, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 24
S2E23: Space Opera
In this episode, I discuss the precise nature of space opera, its origins, and its path through the history of sci-fi up to the current resurgence it's had in recent years. Book recommendation: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Apr 24, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 23
S2E22: Catch-Up Episode #8: Space Sci-Fi
Not quite as space-themed as I intended, but these are the latest stories about aliens and comets and such. Movie recommendation: Dune (2021) Other works discussed: Greenland Don't Look Up Moonfall (anti-recommended) The Tomorrow War The Firefly tie-in novels...
Apr 03, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 22
S2E21: Donna Barba Higuera Interview
In this episode, I interview Donna Barba Higuera , author of the Newbery winning sci-fi novel, The Last Cuentista (which I've previously recommended). Donna's book recommendation: Reclaim the Stars , edited by Zoraida Córdova Donna's website...
Mar 20, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 21
S2E20: Newbery Medal Winners
In this episode, I take one more look at children's science fiction by surveying the winners of the prestigious Newbery Medal . Book recommendation: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera Other books discussed: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien The Giver by Lois Lowry When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo...
Mar 06, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 20
S2E19: Multiverse Fiction
In this episode, I explore sci-fi works that focus on the idea of the multiverse. Prospective book recommendation (I'm putting it on my own list): The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter PBS Space Time on the many worlds interpretation Other works discussed: The Number of the Beast by Robert Heinlein Sliders Rick and Morty DC Comics Marvel Comics...
Feb 20, 2023•26 min•Season 2Ep. 19
S2E18: Catch-Up Episode #7: Sci-Fi Action Movies
In this episode, I give an overview of recent action movies in the sci-fi genre. Movie recommendation: Everything Everywhere All at Once Other movies discussed: Tenet Free Guy The Matrix: Resurrections...
Feb 06, 2023•18 min•Season 2Ep. 18
S2E17: Science Fiction in Video Games
In this episode, I bring back my cohost Greg for a conversion about how science fiction has shaped video games, and vice versa. Classic game recommendation: Chrono Trigger Ahoy finds the "first" video game.
Jan 23, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 17
S2E16: Catch-Up Episode #6: Children's Sci-Fi Movies
I catch up on the sci-fi movies for kids that have come out in the pandemic era. Movie recommendation: The Mitchells vs. the Machines Background on Lightyear here and here . Other films discussed: Sonic the Hedgehog Over the Moon Flora and Ulysses Space Jam: A New Legacy Strange World Lightyear...
Jan 09, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 16
S2E15: Religion in Sci-Fi
In this episode, I give an overview of the different ways that religion and religious themes are used in science fiction. Book recommendation: Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny My review of A Case of Conscience . Other works discussed: Riverworld series by Philip Jose Farmer A Case of Conscience by James Blish Terra Ignota series by Ada Palmer...
Dec 26, 2022•26 min•Season 2Ep. 15
S2E14: Margaret Weitekamp Interview
I interview Dr. Margaret Weitekamp , Curator and Chair of Space History at the National Air and Space Museum about her new book, Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight . Media recommendation: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...
Dec 12, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 14
S2E13: Gary Bengier Interview
In this episode, I interview Gary Bengier, former CFO of eBay and author of Unfettered Journey , a novel about philosophy and artificial intelligence. Gary's book recommendation: Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
Nov 28, 2022•54 min•Season 2Ep. 13
S2E12: Catch-Up Episode #5: DC Movies
Complementing my Marvel catch-up, I review the new DC superhero movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation: DC League of Super-Pets Other movies discussed: Wonder Woman 1984 Black Adam Zack Snyder's Justice League The Batman...
Nov 14, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 12
S2E11: Nick Nocturne Discusses Unfiction
I interview Nick Nocturne, host of the YouTube channel Night Mind about the emerging genre of unfiction and its relation to science fiction. Nick's recommendations: PBhere (sci-fi) Diminish (non-sci-fi)
Oct 31, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 11
S2E10: Interview: Brown and Hansen on Stephen King
In the podcast's first panel interview, I speak to two Stephen King scholars, Simon Brown and Regina Hansen, about King's illustrious career and influence on science fiction. Book and movie recommendation: The Dead Zone.
Oct 17, 2022•54 min•Season 2Ep. 10
S2E9: Catch-Up Episode #4: Horror
In the first of three horror-themed episodes for October, I discuss one class work that I passed over before and one new work. Recommendation: The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham Other work discussed: Jordan Peele's Nope
Oct 03, 2022•11 min•Season 2Ep. 9
S2E8: Techno-Thrillers
Techno-thrillers are a surprisingly fuzzy category that sits at the border of sci-fi and suspense. In this episode, I give an overview of the subgenre and the different ways it can be classified. Book recommendation: Delta-v by Daniel Suarez Sam Boush on the categories of techno-thrillers. My review of Delta-v. Other books discussed: The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy Digital Fortress by Dan Brown...
Sep 19, 2022•20 min•Season 2Ep. 8
S2E7: Catch-Up Episode #3: Marvel Movies
As part of my catch-up series, I review the Marvel movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation: The New Mutants . (I really think it's underrated.)
Sep 05, 2022•14 min•Season 2Ep. 7
S2E6: Anime Science Fiction
Experimenting with a new format, my friend Greg and I have a conversation about anime and its place in the science fiction genre. TV recommendation: Cowboy Bebop Movie recommendation: Castle in the Sky: Laputa
Aug 22, 2022•37 min•Season 2Ep. 6
S2E5: Paul Frommer Interview
I interview Dr. Paul Frommer, the creator of the Na'vi language from Avatar as well as Barsoomian from Disney's John Carter . Prospective movie recommendation: Avatar: The Way of Water Dr. Frommer's blog.
Aug 08, 2022•47 min•Season 2Ep. 5
S2E4: Catch-Up Episode #2: Monster Movies
In this second catch-up episode, I talk about the most recent monster movies (and one novel) to come out and their place in science fiction as a whole. Movie recommendation: Love and Monsters My YouTube video on the physics of giant monsters. Other works discussed: The Color out of Space (2019) Underwater (2020) Godzilla vs. Kong Jurassic World Dominion Monster Hunter (2020) The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi...
Jul 25, 2022•12 min•Season 2Ep. 4
S2E3: Constructed Languages in Science Fiction
Science fiction frequently plays with language in different ways to explore the concepts of philosophy, culture, and cognition; and constructed languages (or conlangs) are a big part of that. In this episode, I highlight how conlangs have contributed to the genre over its history. TV recommendation: Defiance (Kastithanu, L'Irathi, Indojisnen, and Kinuk'aaz, by David J. Peterson) My blog posts about language in Creationism. jan Misali’s Conlang Critic playlist. Other languages discussed: Newspeak...
Jul 11, 2022•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
S2E2: Catch-Up Episode #1
My first episode catching up both on classic works of sci-fi that I passed over before, and new works from the past 2 years. These are "short" episodes that will continue intermittently with longer ones. Book recommendation: To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini Other book discussed: Cities in Flight by James Blish My review of A Case of Conscience by James Blish...
Jun 27, 2022•14 min•Season 2Ep. 2
S2E1: Farah Mendlesohn Interview
I interview Farah Mendlesohn, a scholar of children's sci-fi and fantasy literature and author of The Intergalactic Playground . Farah's website. Farah's book recommendations: The Mortal Engines Quartet by Philip Reeve The Year's Best African Speculative Fiction ( free online )...
Jun 13, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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