The Way the Future Was

By Frederik Pohl,

Book cover of The Way the Future Was: A Memoir

Book description

One of the Grand Masters of SCi-Fi relates tales of the early days of the genre becoming important.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Way the Future Was as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Growing up in New York around the same time as Asimov was Fred Pohl, young, ambitious, argumentative, and occasionally brilliant.

We meet many of the same people – and see the same events – that Asimov describes, in a somewhat different light, as Pohl forges his own path through the emerging world of science fiction, as an agent, editor, and writer in his own right.

It’s beautifully written and again, provides a fascinating insight into that long-ago world, complete with its many petty feuds – that the socialist Pohl was banned from the first Worldcon only to start his own…

From Lavie's list on science fiction’s golden age.

Unreachable Skies

By Karen McCreedy,

Book cover of Unreachable Skies

Karen McCreedy Author Of Unreachable Skies

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Science-fiction reader Film-goer Reader Traveller History nut

Karen's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

This book (and its sequels) are about overcoming the odds; about learning to improve the skills and abilities you have, rather than dwelling on what you can't do. Conflict, plague, and scheming politicians are all featured along the way–but none of the characters are human!

Unreachable Skies

By Karen McCreedy,

What is this book about?

When a plague kills half the Drax population, and leaves the hatchlings of the survivors with a terrible deformity – no wings – suspicion and prejudice follow. Continuously harassed by raids from their traditional enemies, the Koth, the Drax are looking for someone, or something, to blame.

Zarda, an apprentice Fate-seer, is new to her role and unsure of her own abilities; but the death of her teacher sees her summoned by the Drax Prime, Kalis, when his heir, Dru, emerges from his shell without wings.

A vision that Dru will one day defeat the Koth is enough to keep…


Want books like The Way the Future Was?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 98 books like The Way the Future Was.

Browse books like The Way the Future Was

Book cover of In Memory Yet Green: The Autobiography of Isaac Asimov, 1920-1954
Book cover of Better to Have Loved: the Life of Judith Merril
Book cover of Rocket to the Morgue

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,176

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in socialism, New York City, and presidential biography?

Socialism 53 books
New York City 1,143 books