H. Beam Piper
A Biography
Published on 11. February 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
262 pages
978-0-7864-7731-9 (ISBN)
Description
H. Beam Piper is one of science fiction's most enigmatic writers. In 1946 Piper appeared seemingly from out of nowhere, already at the top of his form. He published a number of memorable short stories in the premier science fiction magazine of the time, Astounding Science Fiction, under legendary editor John W. Campbell. Piper quickly became friends with many of the top writers of the day, including Lester Del Rey, Fletcher Pratt, Robert Heinlein and L. Sprague de Camp. Piper also successfully made the turn from promising short story writer to major novelist, authoring Four-Day Planet, Cosmic Computer, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen and Little Fuzzy, which was nominated for a Hugo award.
Even those who counted Piper among their friends knew very little about the man or his life as a railroad yard bull in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This biography illuminates H. Beam Piper, both the writer and the man, and answers lingering questions about his death. Appendices include a number of Piper's personal papers, a complete bibliography of Piper's works, and an essay on Piper's Terro-Human Future History series.
Even those who counted Piper among their friends knew very little about the man or his life as a railroad yard bull in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This biography illuminates H. Beam Piper, both the writer and the man, and answers lingering questions about his death. Appendices include a number of Piper's personal papers, a complete bibliography of Piper's works, and an essay on Piper's Terro-Human Future History series.
Reviews / Votes
"Carr does an extremely good job of dragging [Piper] out of obscurity"-Science Fiction Studies; "in-depth...goes a long way toward clearing up the mystery of who H. Beam Piper really was. Carr knows his works thoroughly"-Locus; "excellent"-Steve Silver, SF Site; "definitive...well written"-www.jerrypournelle.com.More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Jefferson, NC
United States
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
503 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7864-7731-9 (9780786477319)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
John F. Carr has edited numerous anthologies of science fiction, and is also the author of three science fiction novels. He lives in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.
Content
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
PART I: THE EARLY YEARS
1. A Prince Is Born
2. Soul Mates of the Quill
3. The Would-Be Writer
4. Prohibition-Phooey!
5. The Deer Stalkers
6. The Unholy Duo
7. The Old Brick House Beside the River
8. Never a Debtor Be
9. Three's Company
10. Moment of Greatness
11. Changing Fortunes
PART II: THE WRITER
12. Success at Last!
13. A Late Bloomer
14. The Campbell Years
15. The Collaborators
16. Beam's Kids
17. Betty
18. The Case of the Missing Pistol
19. Weekend Marriage
20. Piper's History of the Future
21. French Vacation
22. The Big Breakup
23. Sputnik
PART III: OFF TO BILLTOWN
24. Leaving Altoona
25. Back to Work
26. Fuzzy Problems
27. When in the Course...
28. Unexpected Help
29. Little Fuzzy Finds a Home
30. Space Viking
31. Sequelitis
32. Pigeon Pie
33. Running Out of Steam
34. Let the Guns Bury Him
35. The Funeral
36. The Last Good-Bye
Afterword
Appendix A: Piper Story Log
Appendix B: The Future History
Appendix C: The Terro-Human Future History
Appendix D: Piper Weapons Inventory
Appendix E: Piper Bibliography
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Preface
PART I: THE EARLY YEARS
1. A Prince Is Born
2. Soul Mates of the Quill
3. The Would-Be Writer
4. Prohibition-Phooey!
5. The Deer Stalkers
6. The Unholy Duo
7. The Old Brick House Beside the River
8. Never a Debtor Be
9. Three's Company
10. Moment of Greatness
11. Changing Fortunes
PART II: THE WRITER
12. Success at Last!
13. A Late Bloomer
14. The Campbell Years
15. The Collaborators
16. Beam's Kids
17. Betty
18. The Case of the Missing Pistol
19. Weekend Marriage
20. Piper's History of the Future
21. French Vacation
22. The Big Breakup
23. Sputnik
PART III: OFF TO BILLTOWN
24. Leaving Altoona
25. Back to Work
26. Fuzzy Problems
27. When in the Course...
28. Unexpected Help
29. Little Fuzzy Finds a Home
30. Space Viking
31. Sequelitis
32. Pigeon Pie
33. Running Out of Steam
34. Let the Guns Bury Him
35. The Funeral
36. The Last Good-Bye
Afterword
Appendix A: Piper Story Log
Appendix B: The Future History
Appendix C: The Terro-Human Future History
Appendix D: Piper Weapons Inventory
Appendix E: Piper Bibliography
Notes
Bibliography
Index