A Reader's History of Science Fiction – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I review the recent history and current status of science fiction on television during the streaming era.

TV recommendation: The Orville

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)

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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