Asimov became the most prolific author in American history Heinlein emerged as the leading science fiction writer of his generation with the novels Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land and Hubbard achieved lasting fame-and infamy-as the founder of the Church of Scientology.ĭrawing on unexplored archives, thousands of unpublished letters, and dozens of interviews, Alec Nevala-Lee offers a riveting portrait of this circle of authors, their work, and their tumultuous private lives. Over a period of more than thirty years, from the rise of the pulps to the debut of Star Trek, he dominated the genre, and his three closest collaborators reached unimaginable heights. Campbell, Jr., whom Asimov called “the most powerful force in science fiction ever.” Campbell, who has never been the subject of a biography until now, was both a visionary author-he wrote the story that was later filmed as The Thing-and the editor of the groundbreaking magazine best known as Astounding Science Fiction, in which he discovered countless legendary writers and published classic works ranging from the I, Robot series to Dune. This remarkable cultural narrative centers on the figure of John W. Ron Hubbard-who set off a revolution in science fiction and forever changed our world. “A gift to science fiction fans everywhere.” - Sylvia Nasar, New York Times bestselling author of A Beautiful MindĪstounding is the landmark account of the extraordinary partnership between four controversial writers-John W.

“Engrossing, well-researched… This sure-footed history addresses important issues, such as the lack of racial diversity and gender parity for much of the genre’s history.” - Wall Street Journal

'Enthralling…A clarion call to enlarge American literary history.” - Washington Post A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Best Book of 2018

Astounding by Alec Nevala-Lee