The Way The Future Was: A Memoir

by Frederik Pohl

Other authorsDon R. Smith (Cover designer), Joseph Lombardero (Cover artist), James Ramage (Cover designer)
Hardcover, 1978

Status

Available

Call number

PS3566.O36 Z47

Publication

Del Rey (New York, 1978). Book club edition (gutter code T37). 312 pages.

Description

The award-winning author and editor Pohl traces his lifelong involvement with science fiction.

User reviews

LibraryThing member PMaranci
In a fractional rating system, I'd give this 4.2 stars.

This was another "grabbed randomly from the shelf" book, and when I saw it in my hand I almost put it back. It's the autobiography of classic science fiction writer and editor Fredric Pohl, as well as a history of the early days and Golden Age
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of science fiction.

I hadn't read it in so long that I'd forgotten if it was any good. But then I figured that it would still be better than reading nothing, so I kept it.

And you know, it's actually very good so far! I'd forgotten that Pohl was another of the Brooklyn cabal of early science fiction writers. And he's a damned good one, to boot. I never lived in Brooklyn, and I was born long after the Great Depression, but I have friends in Brooklyn.

I almost wish I had lived in Brooklyn in those days. Pohl makes it sound great. He doesn't pretty it up, but still, it sounds exciting and just plain fun.

This book is very much worth reading for any science fiction fan.
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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
It was an interesting set of memories regarding some of the Sci-Fi greats in the late forties and the 1950s.
LibraryThing member dbsovereign
Pohl is so down home humble and tells it like it was: a long slog to getting published and a long road paved with poverty after that...but told with a glint in his eye and nary any bitterness.
LibraryThing member ikeman100
For anyone interested in the origins of the Golden Age of SF this is a "must read". Written by a man who shaped and was shaped by the times and the genre. Great book.

Awards

Locus Award (Finalist — 1979)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1978-08

Physical description

312 p.; 8.4 inches

ISBN

0345277147 / 9780345277145
Page: 0.7803 seconds