 Cover of the first edition | |
| Author | Brian Ash |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Tim White |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Pan Books |
Publication date | 1977 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-0517531754 |
The Visual Encyclopedia of Science Fiction is an illustrated collection of bibliographic essays on the history and subject matter ofscience fiction. It was edited byBrian Ash and published in 1977 byPan Books in the UK andHarmony/Crown Books in the US.
The book starts with a parallel chronology of significant events in the fields of science fiction stories,magazines, novels,movies/TV/radio, andfandom, from1805 to 1976. The book's thematic sections contain introductions by science fiction authors, and extensive bibliographies of science fiction works featuring each theme. It includes extended essays on science fiction, called "Deep Probes". The chapters are numbered in the style of atechnical manual. Illustrations are primarily book and magazine covers, and interior illustrations from magazines, including a number of illustrations byVirgil Finlay, among others. The anthologist and editorMike Ashley are credited in the book as "Principal Research Consultant".
The book earned favorable reviews from the American Library Association and other organizations that specialize in children's reading.[1] Reviews from the field of science fiction were less enthusiastic:[2]
A handsome volume, illustrated in colour, it did not work well as a reference work for people interested in particular writers, and was widely regarded as a "coffee-table" book.
— Peter Nicholls, "Brian Ash" inThe Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
TheVisual Encyclopedia is a thoroughly superficial work, but with such values of convenience that even a superficial reference work can have.
— R.D. Mullen,Science Fiction Studies #15, Vol. 5, Part 2, July 1978