Wonder's Child: My Life In Science Fiction by jack williamson

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Jack Williamson is one of the Grand Masters of Science Fiction. His autobiography takes us on an extraordinary journey. It begins with his family's adventure of riding in a covered wagon to their homestead in New Mexico. Then, it progresses all the way to the exciting journeys of the Pioneer space probes past Jupiter and out of the solar system.

Seeing the development of science fiction in the 20th century from his insider's perspective is truly fascinating. We get to witness how the genre evolved and grew over the years. Moreover, reading about his unwavering passion for writing is inspiring. Even in the early years of the pulps and short stories when writing paid very little or nothing at all, he continued to pursue his dream.

His autobiography is a unique and enjoyable read. It offers a rare glimpse into the life and times of a great science fiction writer. It not only tells us about his personal experiences but also provides valuable insights into the history and evolution of the genre. Whether you are a fan of science fiction or simply interested in the life of a remarkable individual, Williamson's autobiography is definitely worth reading.

0 0 Reply

Kimi_no_Son

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Dr. Williamson was my English 101 professor at ENMU in Potales in 1970.

My two older brothers had already taken classes with him before me. He was truly fascinating as a teacher.

He was soft-spoken, with a slow eastern New Mexico drawl that added a unique charm to his lectures.

I had no inkling that he was a prize-winning sci-fi aficionado.

All I knew was that he gently guided our class through poetry and prose with his quiet prodding.

He even said he "rather liked" my paper on Thomas Paine, despite the unusual margins. Ha!

I still have that paper, with his comments in red.

Over the past fifty-plus years, I have read THE HUMANOIDS and other of his tales.

And now, after reading this autobiography, I realize what a widely traveled, prolific author and generous family man he was.

It is such an honor to say that I knew him and even shared a coffee off campus one morning before classes.

He was truly one of a kind.

0 0 Reply

jimmyanders0n11

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I couldn't put it any better than another reviewer on here (Denis) did: 'A very heartfelt honest autobiography. Jack's candour and humility are like no other I have ever come across.' So true.

I've always been a SF reader. When I was a teenager, Jack Williamson and Edmond Hamilton were two of my favourite authors. It was from the pioneering 'pulp' SF days. Magazines like Amazing, Astounding, Thrilling Wonder Stories and Weird Tales were printed on cheap, rough pulp paper and had lurid covers. Rockets blasted off, and if the covers were to be believed, bug-eyed monsters pounced on scantily-clad beauties. If not the birth of SF, it was its blossoming. The stories were full of that most important SF ingredient, wonder. And nobody did wonder better than Jack Williamson.

For me, his autobiography was utterly enchanting and fascinating. As a boy, he faced incredible hardship. He travelled west in a covered wagon, which later, parked next to his parents' shack, became his long-term bedroom. A curious boy, his first encounter with electricity saw him sticking his fingers into the socket to experience its wonder. Horribly shy and socially awkward, he was saved by his relentless determination to write. SF was in many ways his salvation, as it gave him a focus and a community of like-minded people. For somebody who obviously lacked confidence in many ways, he was also a nomad and adventurer. He rode the rails as a hobo during the depression, booking cheap little rooms in strange towns to bang out his stories on an old typewriter.

Anyway, it's a great read and I would recommend it highly, especially to anybody like myself who has read JW and has heard of pulp SF. It offers a unique insight into the life of a great SF author and the era in which he wrote.

0 0 Reply

nekocrimmy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

DNF in 1948.

There is indeed nothing amiss with this. The writing was truly excellent, and it was enjoyable to follow along and read some of his short stories as they were published during his lifetime.

However, ultimately, non-fiction/autobiographies simply do not hold my interest.

There is really nothing in this work that one cannot obtain from just a few paragraphs on a wiki page.

It seems that while the writing may have had its merits, the overall content failed to engage me on a deeper level.

Perhaps I am more inclined towards fictional works that can transport me to different worlds and allow my imagination to run wild.

Non-fiction, on the other hand, often feels too restricted by the bounds of reality and lacks the excitement and mystery that I seek in my reading.

Nevertheless, I can still appreciate the quality of the writing and the efforts that went into creating this piece.

It just goes to show that everyone has their own preferences when it comes to literature.

0 0 Reply

BaiZe9001

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

[Disclaimer: I received my copy of this book as a gift from the author]

This is a truly remarkable book that I had the pleasure of receiving as a gift from the author. It has piqued my interest and left me eager to explore its contents further. The moment I held the book in my hands, I could sense the passion and dedication that went into its creation.

Although I have not yet completed a detailed review, I can already tell that this book has the potential to be a great read. The author's writing style seems engaging and captivating, drawing me in from the very first page. I am looking forward to delving deeper into the story, uncovering its hidden gems, and sharing my thoughts and impressions with others.

(More detailed review to follow at a later date)

0 0 Reply

BbeeC

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is an extremely well-written, comprehensive, thoughtful, honest, and humble autobiography.

Williamson narrates the tale of his early days when the only available means of travel were by horse, rail, or stagecoach, all the way through his global travels and life in the 1980s.

Throughout the journey, he offers interesting insights into science fiction and his position within the field, as well as his personal and academic life.

Williamson's first fiction sale occurred in 1928 to Amazing Stories, and he continued writing well into the current century.

His professional development was truly remarkable, ranging from the Legion space operas to classics such as With Folded Hands and Darker Than You Think, his collaborations with Frederik Pohl, and his later solo novels.

It is truly captivating to read the story of the man behind the stories.

While many autobiographies are only of interest for academic purposes or to die-hard fans of the specific author, this one casts a bright light on the extensive changes in life during the twentieth century.

It provides a unique perspective on the evolution of society, technology, and the literary world, making it a must-read for anyone interested in these topics.

0 0 Reply

RooWrld

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Jack Williamson sold his first story to the pulps in the Twenties.

Remarkably, he continued to write until his passing in 2006.

In the Eighties, with twenty years still ahead of him, he penned this autobiography.

It offers a captivating account of his upbringing in the extremely rural New Mexico.

During that time, cars were the latest innovation.

He lived to witness men land on the moon and explore the far reaches of the solar system.

The autobiography is well-written and introspective.

It provides an enjoyable journey through the growth of science fiction and the numerous people he encountered along the way.

His life and work are a testament to the power of imagination and the ever-evolving nature of the genre.

Readers will be enthralled by his experiences and the insights he shares.

It's a must-read for fans of science fiction and those interested in the history of the genre.

0 0 Reply

catsoo12

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Oh so dreary...

Life seems to be a never-ending cycle of monotony and boredom. The days blend together, one after another, without any excitement or purpose. The sun rises and sets, but it fails to bring any warmth or light to my soul. I find myself going through the motions, completing tasks mechanically, without any passion or enthusiasm.

I long for something more, something that will break this cycle of dreariness. I dream of adventure, of new experiences, of meeting new people and exploring new places. But for now, I am trapped in this mundane existence, waiting for something to happen, for a sign that there is more to life than this.

I look around me, and all I see is a world that seems to have lost its color and vibrancy. The people I encounter are going about their lives with the same lack of energy and enthusiasm as I am. It is as if we are all part of a great machine, programmed to perform our tasks and nothing more.

But deep down inside, I know that there must be more. There has to be a way to break free from this dreary existence and find the joy and meaning that I so desperately seek. I just have to keep looking, keep hoping, and keep believing that one day, my dreams will come true.

0 0 Reply

Leave a Review

You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.

Wonder's Child: My Life In Science Fiction

jack williamson

This edition

More editions

About the author

jack williamson

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews