Monthly Archives: December 2020

The Ebb and Flow of Empire: The Van Rijn Method Part II

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Earlier this year I started looking at what I’ve called for lack of a better term, the ebb and flow of empire. The last installment of this series was a while back and looked at the first half of The Van Rijn Method, an omnibus of the beginning of Poul Anderson’s future history.

We’ll look at the second half of the book here.

“A Sun Invisible” is a David Falkayn story. In this one he has to deal with an upstart group of invaders.

“The Season of Forgiveness” is a Christmas story. I’ve discussed it elsewhere.

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Bester’s Birthday

Today, December 18, is the birthday of Alfred Bester (1913-1987). I’ve not had a chance to read anything by him today. It has been all errands and running ~~amuck~~ around. Maybe sometime over the next week I can work something in.

I didn’t want the day to pass unremarked, so I’m putting up this brief post.

Randall Garrett and Phillip K. Dick

Today, December 16, marks the birth of two outstanding writers, Randall Garrett (1927-1987) and Phillip K. Dick (1928-1982). PKD is still well known and in print nearly 40 years after his death. Randall Garrett not so much. Garrett didn’t write nearly as many novels as PKD did, which is probably part of the reason for that.

Both were original and are worth seeking out. If you like a blend of sf and mystery, then you definitely should track down some Garrett.

I’ve not had a chance to read anything by either of these guys today, but I didn’t want to let the day pass without making a note of it.

RIP, Ben Bova

Science fiction author and editor Ben Bova has passed away from COVID related pneumonia and a stroke. Bova was born on in 1932. He was 88. In addition being the author of a number of series (Grand Tour, Sam Gunn, Orion, among others) Bova had the unenviable task of assuming the editorship of Analog after the death of John W. Campbell, Jr.

Bova’s fiction tended to be hard science fiction, although he wrote quite a bit of humorous sf. He will be missed. Futures Past and Present extends condolences to his family and friends.