Teaches critical thinking and focuses on the question "What's the fascination with science fiction?" with selections by Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Ursula K. Le Guin, Fredric Brown, Paul Jennings, Carol Farley, and more. Literature & Thought Series.

A collection of short stories, poems, nonfiction, questions, and writing activities designed to promote critical thinking about and independent exploration of science fiction.

Factor 1: Panic and War, Factor 2: Housing, Factor 3: Food and Water, Factor 4: Resource Management, Factor 5: Off-Planet Expansion, Factor 6: CLASSIFIED. For Lt. Miranda Fisher, finding humanity's next habitable planet is nothing short of a nightmare. Relying on her squadron and administration stationed aboard the USS Scorpius, and life support systems with a two-year shelf life, her patience, endurance and mental health are constantly tested. Without Earth's protective and nourishing environment, positivity and optimism deteriorate to self-defeat and despair. New elements are introduced, infection occurs among dwindling resources, and it appears a new home comes with a heavy price. The contingency plans outlined in Factor 6 cannot prepare them for the horrors to come.

GUNS WERE ILLEGAL Unless you were a member of Category Military, no one on Earth could own a gun. So who was shooting at Joe Mauser? And why? He'd been a mercenary, but he'd been thrown out when he saved Field Marshal Cogswell's life. Whose enemies were after him now - his own, or Cogswell's? In a world where the computers kept track of you, Mauser had to disappear - and stay alive long enough to reach the Field Marshal!

Great Books discussion guides for the Literature & Thought series focus on selections that the Great Books Foundation recommends for close reading and discussion using the Foundation's Shared Inquiry method. Each discussion guide includes discussion questions and easy-to-implement interpretive activities so students get the most out of their reading. The text of the selections is not included.

Science and technology have starring roles in a wide range of genres--science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, and more. Unfortunately, many depictions of technical subjects in literature, film, and television are pure fiction. A basic understanding of biology, physics, engineering, and medicine will help you create more realistic stories that satisfy discerning readers. This book brings together scientists, physicians, engineers, and other experts to help you: • Understand the basic principles of science, technology, and medicine that are frequently featured in fiction. • Avoid common pitfalls and misconceptions to ensure technical accuracy. • Write realistic and compelling scientific elements that will captivate readers. • Brainstorm and develop new science- and technology-based story ideas. Whether writing about mutant monsters, rogue viruses, giant spaceships, or even murders and espionage, Putting the Science in Fiction will have something to help every writer craft better fiction. Putting the Science in Fiction collects articles from "Science in Sci-fi, Fact in Fantasy," Dan Koboldt's popular blog series for authors and fans of speculative fiction (dankoboldt.com/science-in-scifi). Each article discusses an element of sci-fi or fantasy with an expert in that field. Scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and others share their insights in order to debunk the myths, correct the misconceptions, and offer advice on getting the details right.

This is a classic science fiction short story by Harry Harrison. The K-Factor is an equation used to asses the probability of war. A young man is charged with using the K-Factor and the field of Sociatics to avert war on another planet. However, there is a traitor in his midst who has the power to cause a catastrophe. Will he find the traitor? Find out in this classic sci-fi tale. This work is part of our Vintage Sci-Fi Classics Series, a series in which we are republishing some of the best stories in the genre by some of its most acclaimed authors, such as Isaac Asimov, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Robert Sheckley. Each publication is complete with a short introduction to the history of science fiction.

Slavery is back. America, 1962. Having lost a war, America finds itself under Nazi Germany and Japan occupation. A few Jews still live under assumed names. The 'I Ching' is prevalent in San Francisco. Science fiction meets serious ideas in this take on a possible alternate history.

Two Andre Norton novels in her Forerunner series featuring young alien/human hybrid Simsa, collected for the first time in one volume. A heroic young woman seeks her origins as she comes of age on worlds of peril and alien mystery. Forerunner: On the ancient planet Kuxortal, young Simsa grows up among the ancient ruins of a fallen galactic civilization¾the Forerunners. But Simsa has always been different, with iridescent blue-black skin and a telepathic bond with her bat-like zorsal. When her mentor dies, her future looks bleak¾until Thom, a star ranger, arrives and leads Simsa on a new path that takes both through danger to the ultimate revelation, which will change her life, and perhaps galactic civilization itself, forever. Forerunner: The Second Venture: Simsa has been captured by starfaring humans intent on discovering the secrets of the Forerunners. With the aid of her pet zorsal, Simsa escapes her captors and crash lands on another world touched by ancient Forerunner civilization. Now Simsa must battle the spirit within her that seeks to transform her into something utterly inhuman. But the ancient Forerunners, however scientifically advanced, have not reckoned with the courage of this young woman who is determined to keep her freedom and write her own destiny among the stars. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).