On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio

On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio
by John Dunning [R 791.44 Dun]

Incredibly detailed guide to all the old-time radio programs -- dramas, sitcoms, informational shows -- which aired from the 1920s through the 1960s. Although this guide only gives descriptions of the shows, without separate entries for performers or networks, the descriptions they offer for each show have far more detail than any other guide. Information provided includes the show's broadcast history, directors, producers, stars, orchestras, creators, and a long description of the basic plot and/or backstory for each of the dramas and comedies. Dunning provides an extensive bibliography of other books and articles on his topic, and the index at the back of the book is huge -- if you want to know which radio programs Lucille Ball appeared on with regularity, you'll find them all cross-referenced here. I have found this reference volume exceptionally helpful in answering questions about classic radio shows; the only complaint I would offer is that there are absolutely no illustrations in the entire 800+ page book! If you'd like to browse this volume, it is available only in the reference collection at the Bennett Martin Public Library downtown! [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Encyclopedia of American Radio -- shorter descriptions, but more illustrations!.] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library


[ Old-Time Radio page on Wikipedia ]

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The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction [2nd ed.]
by John Clute and Peter Nicholls [R 809.388 Enc]

Despite now being a bit "dated", The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction by Clute and Nicholls, published in hardback in 1993 (which the library has) and reprinted with updates and an addendum in paperback in 1995 (which the library does NOT have), is an absolutely essential part of any science fiction fan's reference collection. This massive and exhaustively researched volume contains biographies and bibliographies for every known author of science fiction literature through the early 1990s. Each author's entry features a biographical blurb, followed by a critical look at that author's most important or noteworthy stories or novels. If the author wrote books set in a series, there is a specific examination of that series. If the author's work are prominent within a SF subgenre, there are suggestions for additional topics to look under in the encyclopedia. But wait, there's more! You will also find detailed examinations of SF categories (cyberpunk, robots, artificial intelligence, big dumb objects), looks at famed science fiction artists, and entries on hundreds of classic and contemporary science fiction movies and television series. The 1993/95 edition is the 2nd Edition (the first was in 1979), and the editors have stated that all future editions of this Encyclopedia are intended to be on the Internet, once they are finalized. This volume is in the Reference Collection on the second floor at the Bennett Martin Public library downtown. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the companion volume from the same editors, The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. Clute has also edited Science Fiction: The Illustrated Encyclopedia, a handsomely-illustrated but noticeably less-exhaustive book, available in our circulating collection.] -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ Wikipedia page for this book ] | [ Internet Speculative Fiction Database - not associated with the Encyclopedia but a great site! ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.