How Science Shapes Science Fiction Audiobook By Charles L. Adler, The Great Courses cover art

How Science Shapes Science Fiction

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How Science Shapes Science Fiction

By: Charles L. Adler, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Professor Charles L. Adler
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Science fiction can often seem to be pure imaginative fantasy with only the trappings of science. But many authors are more fluent in real science than many readers and viewers may realize. With the success our smaller Audible Original course on this subject, we thought it was time to extend the topic and present a more expansive look at the fascinating intersection of fiction and reality, which is what we have set out to do with How Science Shapes Science Fiction.

Professor Charles L. Adler of St. Mary’s College of Maryland was the perfect choice for this subject, as he is both a longtime science-fiction fan and a real-world scientist. Professor Adler’s talent for using literature to shine a light on science - both the accurate and not-so-accurate versions employed by creators, spanning two centuries - makes this course a great survey for fans of both science fact and science fiction.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 The Great Courses (P)2021 The Teaching Company, LLC Entertainment & Performing Arts Fiction Film & TV Literary History & Criticism Science Fiction

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All stars
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Absolutely fabulous blend of science and fiction....truly loved it! Very intelligent and supremely engaging. Great narrative.

simply wonderful!

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Listening to him trying to explain equations was a bit frustrating, but overall this was pretty excellent. Occasionally I was surprised by which stories he DIDN'T discuss, but the ones that are included were pretty good examples.

loses something without the visual

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I loved Adler's enthusiasm for the topic. learned a lot and enjoyed reading the novels mentioned.

Loved it!

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For GC lectures, there are better takes on sci Fi. This one is fun though.

Broad and Colloquial, but lacking Literary Depth

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A real working physicist and physics professor ... a man who also clearly loves great science fiction ... tells how actual science informs science fiction.

In 24 concise and well-delivered lectures, he explores at least that many areas of science and how they are reflected in great SF, with many on-target examples. I'm writing my 4th SF novel, and doing a page-one rewrite on #3 SF novel (published in 2093 but out of print since 2012) and this Great Course is helping me to refine the story and the science.

Highly recommended for serious SF fans, lovers of non-fiction popular works on current and emerging science, and anyone who wants to see how the universe really works.

I'm going to revisit this course with a notebook in hand to write down the names and SF book/movie/TV titles I need to read or watch, either again or for the first time, as well as works by cutting-edge scientists/authors for my reading/watching pleasure. Great Course indeed!

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