
Sam Moskowitz’s The Immortal Storm (serialized 1945, book edition 1951) is regarded by many as the definitive history of US science fiction fandom in the 1930s. However, several contemporary fans either presented alternative versions of events or took issue with the book’s alleged selectivity (New York-centrism in particular) and partisanship. To offer a different perspective Rob Hansen has compiled and introduced this collection of relevant fanwriting by Redd Boggs, John Carnell (of the UK), Allen Glasser, Charles D. Hornig, Damon Knight, Sam Moskowitz himself, Julius Schwartz, Jack Speer, Harry Warner Jr, Donald A. Wollheim and T. Bruce Yerke.
From Rob Hansen’s Foreword: “If you are interested in the history of, say, World War Two, it’s possible to find multiple books covering all but the most obscure parts of the conflict. Which is how it should be. The more viewpoints that are available, the more rounded an appreciation you’re likely to acquire of the matter at hand. This has not traditionally been the case when it comes to histories of SF fandom. For many years, you went to Harry Warner Jr’s books for the history of fandom in the 1940s and 1950s, and to Sam Moskowitz’s The Immortal Storm for the 1930s. Apart from Damon Knight’s later The Futurians, and bits in autobiographical works by members of this particular group, that was it for the decade. However, there were others who covered the period at length in fanzines at the time and whose writings when taken together constitute another viewpoint: hence this volume. Though Challenging Moskowitz is, I know, a provocative title, my intention is not to undermine or disparage SaM’s work but rather to supply another text that can be read alongside his and provide some contrast.”
A short version of Challenging Moskowitz (47,500 words) was published in 2019 in ebook format only. For this 2024 paperback release the text has been considerably expanded with additional material, to over 71,000 words.
ALL PROCEEDS FROM PAPERBACK SALES GO TO THE TRANSATLANTIC FAN FUND (TAFF).
Details
- Publication Date
- Apr 24, 2024
- Language
- English
- ISBN
- 9781916508200
- Category
- History
- Copyright
- All Rights Reserved - Standard Copyright License
- Contributors
- Edited by: Rob Hansen
Specifications
- Pages
- 138
- Binding Type
- Paperback Perfect Bound
- Interior Color
- Black & White
- Dimensions
- US Trade (6 x 9 in / 152 x 229 mm)